What do Mark Zuckerberg, Barack Obama, Gareth Southgate, and JK Rowling have in common? Aside from the fact they are all remarkably successful individuals, they’re also self-confessed introverts.
Society has done a great job of convincing us that introverts are at a disadvantage but Carol Stewart – the founder of Abounding Solutions, a coaching business for high-achieving introverted women, believes introversion can be channelled to become a superpower in the workplace.
Stewart comments:
It wasn’t until I was doing my Masters in coaching psychology and I started looking at the work of Carl Jung [the Swiss psychiatrist, who popularised the terms introversion and extroversion] that I started to gain a better understanding of what it means to be an introvert. And it doesn’t mean that you are shy or socially aloof. Rather that, as an introverted person, I seek energy internally, whereas extroverted people source energy from those around them.
Carol Stewart, founder of Abounding Solutions
Once Stewart understood that introversion is not a deficiency and started to own hers, she realised that many of her introverted traits – being a good listener, forming close, loyal relationships, enjoying time alone, and thinking before acting – were incredibly powerful.
Stewart thinks certain industries – step forward marketing and sales – typically value extroverts but believes that a quiet revolution is underway. Here she lets us in on six reasons why your workplace needs introverts…
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Introverts are able to work independently
Introverted employees don’t require a manager to hold their hand and guide them through the process. Introverts can get on with the task in hand.
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Introverts work creatively
Introverts can look inward and allow their imaginations to get to work. Little wonder then that so many writers and artists are introverts.
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Introverts are good listeners
Introverted employees tend to process information internally. This means they hear, understand, and are then able to provide informed insight when we do respond.
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Introverts think before they speak
Introverts speak when they have something to say. The upshot is there’s a higher chance that they will have an impact with their words.
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Introverts are thoughtful networkers
Extroverts will often aim to talk to as many people as possible. Introverts will make fewer but often more meaningful connections.
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Introverted workers are compassionate leaders
Introverts don’t feel the need to step into the spotlight. Subsequently, they are more likely to highlight the strengths of their teams.
Want to learn how to own and embrace your introversion? The Introverted Leaders Conference 2024 will show you how introversion is a strength that can be harnessed to your advantage.
Taking place at IS Venues in Central London on Friday, 13 September 2024, attendees will be able to attend seminars and masterclasses on topics including ‘My journey as an introverted leader’ and ‘How to be an ally for Introverted leaders’; hear from inspirational speakers including Alexandra Bond Burnett and Cherron Inko-Tariah MBE; and take time out to recharge in dedicated quiet spaces.
Joanne is the editor for Workplace Wellbeing Professional and has a keen interest in promoting the safety and wellbeing of the global workforce. After earning a bachelor's degree in English literature and media studies, she taught English in China and Vietnam for two years. Before joining Work Well Pro, Joanne worked as a marketing coordinator for luxury property, where her responsibilities included blog writing, photography, and video creation.
