Are you a cat person or a dog person? Do prefer running on a treadmill inside or on a path outside? Do you tell people you hate the holidays, but secretly love them, or vice versa? These types of questions are simply answered with a “yes” or “no” response; however, when it comes to the question of whether or not natural introverts can effectively manage, the answer is a little bit more in depth.
There are so few places in life where we can be 100% defined as being in one group or another, yet people want to continue to put us into boxes. Sometimes we climb into those boxes willingly, and especially when it comes to the introvert vs. extrovert leadership dilemma.
I have colleagues that consider themselves to be more of an extrovert with family and friends or if they get a few drinks in them. Moreover, they also cite themselves as an introvert when it comes to being around people they don’t know or in stressful situations. What gives?
I know most personality tests qualify me as an introvert, but I don’t know if other people recognize that in me. Most people associate the term “introvert” with “shy.”
Maybe the introvert/extrovert dilemma is outdated. Natural personality traits tend to be grayer and exist along a continuum, which many of us fall somewhere in the middle of. Please read on and see what I mean.
The Introvert vs. Extrovert Dilemma
According to research cited in Psychology Today (PT), extroverts focus on their external environment: the people, places and ongoing saga of life around them. Generally speaking, they are at their best in fast-paced environments with a level of pressure, like sales or politics. Extroverts are typically decisive and would rather learn by doing than studying. The belief that extroverts were the high school jocks or have a lesser education level is utterly incorrect. Psychology Today cites Oprah Winfrey and Bill Clinton as two celebrity extroverts. Conversely, people like Barbara Walters, Jerry Seinfeld, and David Letterman who, despite having very public jobs, are introverts. It is possible to be a very public person with many friends, yet remain an introvert. Psychology Today suggests that 50-74% of the population are extroverts with the minority in the introvert box.
Let’s take a look at introverts vs. shy people. In the book The Development of Shyness and Social Withdrawal, Arnold H. Buss of The University of Texas and Louis A. Schmidt of McMaster University wrote a chapter explaining how introversion and shyness are commonly mistaken as the same thing. This confusion comes mostly because people relate both terms to social activity. Whereas shy people are actively afraid of socialization (especially perceived conflict), introverted people are not afraid, just disinterested. In the book, they describe introverts as “low on social approach and low on social avoidance.”
I’m so glad these two finally said what I’ve been feeling for a long time. Introversion is not about being shy.
So, can an introvert effectively lead or become a dynamic leader? Let’s find out.
Leading as an introvert
Many leaders are born introverts who find themselves moving up the corporate ladder. Let’s say there is an entry-level R&D scientist and a go-getting rookie sales person who just started at the same company. Ten years from now, they could both be up for a promotion to vice president in a department that didn’t even exist when they first started. It’s not hard to guess who the introvert and extrovert are, and it’s not hard to assume that each would have their style for managing.
I’ve met many introverts who have said they believe that they have to put on an act and become someone else when it comes to getting a promotion and leading a team. They feel like they have to be the head coach, cheerleader and quarterback all rolled into one when the fact is, they feel like the waterboy or team statistician on the inside.
Elon Musk and Warren Buffet are both introverts, yet they have built mega-companies that have changed our world. What have they done as introverted leaders that led to such success? Here are a few suggestions noted by Inc magazine:
1. They are rigorously scheduled and prefer one-on-one meetings instead of the group dynamic. They’d rather have three one-hour meetings than one three-hour. They can give their undivided attention to the individual better than a group.
2. They utilize the latest communication systems. Most introverts prefer written communication like email or chat.
3. They want it in writing. They understand that they may not communicate all the details, so having clarification keeps everyone on the same page.
4. Don’t digress. Details can be the bane of an introvert’s existence. They’re not into the “big picture” most days, so focusing on the details becomes the norm. Keep on task and don’t get distracted by other things.
Most important to recognize is that stereotypes for both introverts and extroverts can go a long way to harming a relationship. There is no specific “type” for either. There’s nothing wrong with being an introvert or an extrovert whether you are a follower or a leader.
Source: Oprah Interviews Jerry Seinfeld. https://www.oprah.com/omagazine/oprah-interviews-jerry-seinfeld/all
I would say from our examples above, that the answer then is a resounding YES–introverts can be effective managers and leaders.
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