If you’re an introvert, you may be surprised to learn what could be standing between you and your dream career: you. Too often, introverts in the business world sell themselves short, assuming they’re not equipped with the personality traits to take on leadership roles or make big leaps in their careers. True enough, one study found that of all personality traits, extraversion is the most consistent predictor of leadership emergence. That said, Wharton researchers explained why extroversion can actually be a liability for leaders. The researchers found that while extroverted leaders are more effective when employees are passive, proactive employees thrive with introverted leaders.
Seeing introversion as a career hurdle is more of a self-fulfilling prophecy than reality. Being an introvert can be as great of an asset as being an extrovert. It comes down to taking a page from the Delphic oracle—“knowing thyself”—and understanding how to maximize your efficacy while capitalizing on your unique strengths.
Here’s how being an introvert can help grow your career.
Doing What You Love
Considering how common are the terms “extroversion” and “introversion,” their precise meanings are pretty slippery. That’s why one team of psychologists set out to identify the essence of extroversion. They found that the “real core” was the tendency to enjoy and attract social attention.
So, if you’re like the other half of the population—the one that doesn’t enjoy or attract social attention—you have more bandwidth to focus on the activities that are truly meaningful to you, or as I like to call them, the “big stuff.” You might find that a laser focus on the big stuff will propel you significantly farther than worrying about being the life of the office happy hour.
Take Marissa Mayer, former CEO of Yahoo and co-founder of Sunshine, a software company that streamlines work tasks. A journalist interviewing Mayer for Vogue observed that Mayer could be awkward when discussing business issues, peppering her statements with “likes.” But when the topic switched to technology, her passion, she turned effortlessly articulate. While Mayer’s leadership role involved social engagements—she admitted to disciplining herself to deal with them, forcing her to stay at parties for at least 15 minutes—her meteoric rise came from pursuing what she loved and doing it really, really, well.
As she told the magazine, “I didn’t set out to be at the top of technology companies. I’m just geeky and shy and I like to code.”
If you’re an introvert, you, too, may have to develop strategies for navigating the social aspects of your job. But if you dedicate even more time to identifying what makes you tick and doing that well, the social stuff will seem like a small price to pay for the satisfaction of loving what you do.
Understanding People’s Needs
An author friend of mine is a classic introvert. After a long day, he prefers to recharge at home, alone or with his partner. He doesn’t love giving big speeches, but he’s a thoughtful communicator in one-on-one conversations. He’s rarely the loudest in the room. And yet, he regularly hosts well-attended networking events.
So, what’s his secret? He cares about cultivating relationships. He enjoys connecting with people. He’s great at reading a room and gauging people’s needs. These are qualities that many introverts possess.
Stanford University lecturer and communication expert Matt Abrahams explained that introverts have a powerful tool for gaining recognition—understanding the needs of their audience. Abrahams told CNBC, “Attention is the most precious commodity we have in the world today. If I’m not tailoring my message to you, you’re not going to pay attention to it.”
Pay attention to how your colleagues communicate (and mimic the same). Research outside the workplace (podcasts, social media, etc.) for how great communicators engage their audiences. Reflect on what’s working and what isn’t.
Whether you’re hosting a networking event or running a weekly all-hands meeting, understanding your colleagues’ needs is the most important ingredient for success. And it may come easier to introverts, who tend to be great listeners and careful observers. Harvard Business Review agrees that introverts have a natural tendency to read a room before speaking and practicing empathy, which helps them gain a deeper understanding of the people they’re engaging with.
Rewarding Innovators
Fields like medicine and climate change aside, much of today’s world is not desperate for solutions. Tomorrow’s most successful businesses will find groundbreaking ways to make good-enough products and services even better and more useful. They’ll make their customers’ lives easier.
Companies need innovative thinkers, and introverted leaders to empower creative thinkers to do their best work. As Wharton researchers explained, extroverts may be threatened by proactive employees and out-of-the-box thinking. Introverts are more receptive. They don’t mind sharing the spotlight and enabling their team members to achieve big.
It’s a powerful message for introverted entry- and mid-level professionals: You are exactly what your company needs to become more innovative. Even if you shy away from the spotlight, don’t shy away from the leadership pipeline. I keep this in mind when considering new hires and promotions at my company, Jotform, and it’s served our entire organization. Our leadership team is composed of different personality types and our employees are motivated to share their ideas. It doesn’t matter if they’re shouted or whispered—the best ideas get the most attention.
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