One of the biggest misconceptions in the world of business is that extroverts, by default, are better leaders. This inevitably can be challenging for aspiring introverted leaders, who may be overlooked or underappreciated for their efforts simply because of their nature. However, this is only sometimes the case, and introverted professionals can leverage their strengths to make a lasting impact in their organization and transition into outstanding leaders. In this article by Don Romans, we’ll explore the best strategies introverts can follow to become influential leaders in today’s work environment.
Develop Active Listening Skills
Most introverts have a knack for listening to those around them, so it’s best to leverage these skills to develop strong bonds with colleagues and superiors. Here are some tips to improve your active listening skills at the office:
- Face the speaker while having a conversation and maintain eye contact. This communicates to the speaker that you are listening to what they’re saying and are genuinely interested in the discussion, according to BetterUp.
- Develop the patience to let people finish what they want to say rather than interrupting them to make a point of your own. This will be particularly helpful during meetings where team members express many opinions. The best way to find the best one is to listen to their ideas and provide your views only after fully understanding their origin.
Learn To Lead By Example
Introverted leaders have a natural advantage when it comes to leading by example; this stems from their tendency to think before they act, which in a workplace setting can translate into the following benefits:
- Sound Decision-Making: By consistently following a disciplined approach to projects, introverted leaders excel at making good decisions that help achieve short- and long-term organizational goals. Making sound decisions will lead to colleagues developing trust in your decision-making and committing to doing the same.
- Establishing Clear Professional Boundaries: Introverted leaders recognize the importance of respecting boundaries and maintaining a healthy work-life balance. According to Corporate Communicate Experts, introverts can promote a healthy work culture by setting clear boundaries for themselves and their team, resulting in increased productivity and reduced burnout among team members.
- Take Risks: By taking risks as a leader, whether through trying unconventional solutions or other methods, you’ll develop the confidence among team members to do the same and unlock a higher potential for growth and success.
Manage Projects Effectively
Along with completing tasks, leaders are expected to supervise and guide teams to perform to their potential. Here are some great tips to effectively and efficiently manage projects as an introverted leader:
- Define What Success Means: This involves setting clear goals for each project, outlining all KPIs (key performance indicators), and establishing a timeline for task completion. Having a well-defined vision of success provides complete clarity to everyone involved in the project regarding what goals to work towards, click to learn more!
- Create Compatible Teams: Leverage your understanding regarding the strengths and weaknesses of your team members to assign projects to the right combination of employees. For instance, a skilled programmer can be teamed up with a master project manager to ensure the project is completed on time and all stakeholders are kept in the loop.
In summary, introverts have the power to become influential leaders. Introverted leaders can significantly impact the workplace by leveraging active listening skills, leading by example, and managing projects effectively.