How to Become a Great Leader Even if You’re an Introvert
Though it may not seem like it, based on the stereotypes seen in the movies and television, not all leaders are outspoken, bigger-than-life individuals. Operating with swagger, boldly barking out orders, and bossing people around may come second nature to a U.S. Marine Drill Sergeant, but these qualities don’t mean much in the overall world of effective leadership. Yes, you can become a great leader – even if you’re an introvert.
We’re going to explain why. And how.
The master-certified coaches with Intelligent Leadership Executive Coaching (ILEC) work with all sorts of clients. Some are the heads of Fortune 1000 companies whose mere words are capable of rattling the value of their stock price. Others are unassuming, fly-under-the-radar types. From one extreme to the other, they all have the capacity to be effective leaders. But we’ve yet to encounter a client that we couldn’t develop into a better executive leader – even the most introverted individuals. That’s because true leadership springs from within. It’s a quality – a talent – a learned skill that can be improved under the guidance of a qualified executive coach.
To indulge our audience with specifics, here are some of the innate qualities that introverts bring to the table:
They’re Vulnerable
By their nature, introverts are both reflective and self-aware. They’re thoughtful and tend to keep their emotions in check with ease. They’re not ego-driven, nor do they seek the glory associated with individual accolades for their behavior and decisions. And that makes them vulnerable. Not vulnerable in a sense that they embody weakness – but vulnerable in their humbleness, modesty, and empathetic nature. They have the courage to be themselves while recognizing the value of others and their contributions. People pick up on that, they appreciate it, and they’re naturally attracted to the charisma of a self-assured leader. At ILEC, we coach that vulnerability is a necessity. It’s Law #5 among the 50 Laws of Intelligent Leadership and Secret #2 in ILEC’s 7 Secrets of Intelligent Leadership.
They’re Great Listeners
Introverts never feel the need to be the first one to speak up in a room. They’re naturally good listeners, preferring to weigh decisions after quiet, observant, and intuitive thinking. This trait leads to the development of authoritative knowledge. And knowledge is power, which, in turn, leads to superior decision-making skills. And superior decision-making skill is indicative of exceptional executive leadership.
They Lead by Example
Introverted leaders tend to share in a company’s success and accomplishments, avoiding individual credit and praise in favor of recognizing the collaborative effort of the entire team. They’re the type to hire, then step back and allow top talent to perform. They don’t ask others to do what they themselves would avoid. Leadership such as this inspires a workforce. Employees feel valued, heard, and recognized. It inspires confidence, trust, and ultimately – unbreakable loyalty. When a company operates under these principles, even with an introverted leader, they’ve developed and nurtured the right corporate culture.
Intelligent Leadership Executive Coaching can make you a better leader, regardless of your personality type. Both extroverts and introverts bring their own unique challenges to the practice of improvement, but being the latter does not disqualify you from becoming a better leader. In fact, you may even have an advantage.
If you’d like to explore the improvement of your executive leadership qualities, the master-certified coaches with Intelligent Leadership Executive Coaching can work with you in a one-on-one environment. Our proven assessments, techniques, and strategies are designed to unlock your potential. And this can lead to increases in company morale, performance, collaboration, and results. ILEC coaches utilize a proven blueprint and philosophy designed to build strong, vibrant leaders and organizations. If you’d like to master a skill that creates loyalty, trust, and optimizes performance, contact one of our coaches today to have a conversation about what’s possible!