In a world often dominated by extroverted ideals of leadership, the power of introvert leaders often goes overlooked. There’s a pervasive myth that introverts can’t be effective leaders, perpetuated by the image of leadership as charismatic, loud, and assertive.
As an introverted woman of Indian heritage, navigating my path to leadership has been a journey of learning. Through practice, I’ve learned to adapt my style, pushing myself to learn extrovert traits to be a better leader – challenging the negative misconceptions of introversion.
The power of introvert leadership
When thinking of women role models in leadership, the images that often come to mind are those of assertive, dominant figures. This depiction reinforces the notion that successful leadership requires extroverted traits. However, this narrow view overlooks the unique strength of natural state introverts, who have pushed themselves outside of their comfort zones to embrace extroversion.
Authentic self
As an introvert navigating the professional world (often in male-dominated industries), I found myself constantly bombarded with feedback to be more outgoing, assertive, and visible. Through practice and training, I’ve taken on this advice, learning to portray leadership traits authentically – realising that assertiveness is a skill that can be cultivated. Though my ‘natural state’ is introversion, I recognised the sheer importance of pushing myself to step outside of my comfort zone – viewing it as an opportunity to grow and evolve as a leader, whilst embracing my introverted nature.
Lead by example
Through introspection and self-discovery, I soon came to understand that introversion is not a limitation, but a source of strength. Quiet leadership (not to be confused with ‘being quiet’) is characterised by a preference for active listening, thoughtful reflection, and meaningful connections. With this being complementary to the extrovert traits I was learning to practice, it allowed me to lead by example.
Encouraging self-awareness
As I transitioned into new roles and opportunities, I made a conscious effort to lead authentically – embracing the motto “bring your authentic self to work”. I focused on leveraging strengths, such as my ability to listen actively and think critically – whilst making a conscious effort to practice extroverted behaviours such as assertiveness, confident public speaking, and proactive networking. Valuing self-awareness and seeking feedback to continuously improve and grow as a leader was key – learning to lead with quiet confidence and a growth mindset.
Navigating cultural expectations
This journey also highlighted the influence of Indian heritage on my leadership style. I was instilled with cultural values of humility, respect, and communal harmony, whilst encountering societal expectations that often conflicted with these values – particularly in the context of leadership. Understanding these cultural nuances allowed me to navigate the intersection of heritage and leadership with greater insight – finding strength in heritage and cultural identity.
Advice for aspiring leaders
My journey is based around the power of authenticity, self-awareness, and willingness to push the boundaries to challenge conventional norms. My takeaways? Harness strengths of introversion and extroversion to lead with positive impact. Create a balanced and inclusive leadership style embracing your natural state and cultural identity. Seek feedback to unlock your potential. Step outside of your comfort zone, adapt and grow.
As Susan Cain articulately states in her book Quiet – “Quiet leadership” is not an oxymoron, but a powerful paradigm that values depth over breadth and substance over style.
