While some leaders are boisterously charismatic, the Quiet Leader is more reserved and reflective. Typical Quiet Leaders strike a healthy balance between determination and humility. They know deep down that they are driven to lead and push themselves and others to high levels of performance and achievement.
If your team respects who you are and what you have to say and the direction you are taking the team, you don't have to be loud to lead. Alyssa Gregory offers up the “must haves” of a quiet leader to be successful in her article How to Be a Quiet Leader: Quiet leaders are powerful.
Leaders are often described in terms synonymous with extroversion: outgoing, gregarious, forceful, dynamic. But often, the best leaders are introverts who possess a quiet power. Oprah Winfrey, Michael Jordan, Warren Buffett, and Ruth Bader Ginsberg are just a few examples.
However, many successful leaders are/were introverts, such as Rosa Parks, Mahatma Gandhi and Bill Gates. Rather than just value this one-size-fits-all style of leadership, it's important to appreciate diversity in style, so let's explore the qualities of a quieter, more considered approach.
Silent leaders show humility in times of success and times of failure. They know it takes a team to accomplish great feats. Silent leaders also take constructive criticism well because they see failure as an opportunity to grow.
Introverts tend to remain calm under pressure.
Introverted leaders tend to be less reactive than extroverted leaders. They are able to remain calm and composed under pressure, which helps them make better decisions in high-stress situations.
One of the biggest misconceptions about introverted managers is that they are not effective leaders. However, introverts typically have all the top qualities for effective, sustainable leadership, including focus, thoughtfulness, self-awareness and the ability to really listen. - Marissa Morrison, Well Health Inc.
Quiet people have power because they are willing to spend more time and energy on self-reflection, which helps to know oneself, practice self, stimulate potential, and improve self-personality.
Ironically, introverts can be just as charismatic, or even more charismatic, than extroverts. Go back to the definition: all you need to be charismatic is the power to attract and influence others. Introverts have the ability to connect deeply with others, to build rapport and comfort.
You might think that quiet people are shy, but they're not. They can come across as shy, but they're just observing before they jump in. Quiet people are more likely to be introverts than extroverts and tend to be more creative and sensitive than the average person.
Introversion is not shyness or social aversion. Introversion is a personality trait, not an emotion. Introverts' traits—such as the ability to listen, gather data, and reflect—make them effective leaders.
It's hard for anyone to get promoted at work, and even harder for introverts — but taking a few actionable steps can help. It's hard to get promoted in business, and even harder for professionals who lean more on the introverted side of the scale.
It's important to recognize that introverted leaders often have unique strengths, such as their ability to listen, think deeply, and build strong relationships with their team members. They are often highly effective at creating a calm and focused work environment that is conducive to productivity and innovation.
A: You don't have to talk all the time, and idle chatter is not required, but you do need to be able to communicate effectively. Talking one on one with your team members, your peers, and those to whom you report must be done regularly and effectively.
But leadership is a combination of both skill and style, and a bad leader often lacks both. They may not have the technical know-how to make informed decisions, have poor interpersonal skills, and struggle to connect with their team. In short, a bad leader can bring a team down and create a toxic work environment.
Being an introvert can be extremely attractive to some people. Introversion can seem mysterious and intriguing, especially if it pairs with qualities such as kindness or being a caring person.
Plus, some introverts can have just as much charisma, ambition, and fortitude as any extroverted leader. In fact, “a really smart introverted leader can be more successful than anybody else,” says Linda Henman, author of Challenge the Ordinary and Landing in the Executive Chair.
Quiet people can be just as charming as their outgoing cousins. In some ways, you have the advantage.
On average, introverts and extroverts are the same in terms of intelligence. But statistics show that around 70% of gifted people are introverts.
They speak less and listen more, which gets people interested in them. What makes introverts attractive is their ability to observe beyond the words people speak. They pay close attention to details and are extremely prudent. Introverts are also genuinely concerned about others, which shows their empathic natures.
They don't feel the need to always talk.
Talking doesn't always solve problems. Thinking about problems deeply, in quiet solitude, is where the life-changing insights come from.
Is it a bad thing to be a quiet person? Bust the belief that quietness is a sign of weakness when there is nothing wrong with being an introvert. It is okay to go quiet every once in a while. However, when quietness is part of our introverted personality, it is often perceived as something bad or a sign of weakness.
It doesn't mean that introverts can't be successful. In fact, the list of successful introverts is long: Michael Jordan, J.K. Rowling, Christina Aguilera, Bill Gates, President Obama, Emma Watson and more.
Introverts think deeply about goals and challenges
This high level of focus is also usually applied to key areas of an introvert's life. An introverted leader will often ponder on goals and challenges for a long time and thoroughly flush out their position, before presenting these ideas to a group.