I’m often asked to help aspiring or new leaders create a plan around developing habits and skills to help them become more assertive in their “executive presence”. This is particularly common with more introverted individuals, who face challenges in being perceived as competent leaders. This lack of executive presence often robs them of further promotions, bigger career opportunities and can be completely deflating to one’s self-esteem. Interestingly, according to Harvard Business Review, only 2% of executives identify themselves as introverts. For introverts, hoping to scale the corporate ladder can seem particularly difficult.
“Why don’t they just speak up?” you ask. Well, introverts typically need more time to digest ideas. It’s not that they don’t want to speak up and share their ideas – they just don’t feel comfortable doing so until they’ve thoroughly thought things through. While others might be completely comfortable blurting out whatever comes to mind and working out their thoughts aloud in front of others during meetings, introverts are more likely to sit back and observe – taking in all the data to then take it back to their quiet lairs so they can work through their thoughts.
There is no right or wrong way – but it's important to consider that when we give more weight in the moment to the more extroverted team members – those who more easily speak up, we may also be losing out on a huge portion of the team’s ideation and solution-creating potential.
“There is zero correlation between being the best talker and having the best ideas.” - Susan Cain, author of Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking
If you are an aspiring or new leader and this resonates with you, here are some valuable steps you can take to provide evidence to others of your own leadership potential and competence:
1. Embrace Your Authentic Leadership Style or Personal Brand
Good leaders have a clear understanding of what their teams appreciate about their natural leadership style. I say “natural” here because authenticity is key to gaining trust and respect from your team. This includes your values, strengths, and the unique qualities you bring to the table. Consistently embodying your brand will help you not only stand out as an authentic leader but will demonstrate to others your level of integrity. It can also be helpfult to think about the qualities of leaders whose presence (good or bad) influenced your idea of what a good leader should be. What did they do to leave an impression? How did you feel leaving interactions with them? What did the good leaders do to differentiate themselves from all the other leaders you’ve experienced over time? What was it that made them good or not so good? Identify the qualities that you appreciate – and that feel genuine to you. Allow yourself to lean into those qualities that naturally come to you.
2. Develop Strong Communication Skills
Work on expressing your ideas clearly and confidently – whether by email or in person. After another person stops speaking, get in the habit re-framing what you’ve heard in your own words. This will help you engage in conversation while also helping you gain clarity on the finer details, without having to think about questions in the moment. If there are others in the room, reframing will also benefit them as they will get a different perspective/explanation. Re-framing is also considered a form of active listening. It proves that you are actively engaged in the conversation rather than being an invisible team member in the room.
3. Cultivate Self-Confidence
Yes – I'm aware this is easier said than done. It’s a work in progress, but even consistent baby steps will get you to your destination. Work on building your self-confidence through growing your self-awareness and continuous learning. Asking for feedback, working with a coach, constantly honing your skills, allowing yourself to learn from your mistakes rather than be critical of them and celebrate your achievements. All of these things are within your control and will help grow your confidence. The more confident you appear; the more others will believe in your leadership capabilities.
4. Strategic Networking
Forge meaningful connections within your organization and industry. If networking events don’t appeal to your introverted self, then reach out to key individuals and engage in one-on-one conversations. Seek to connect with mentors and sponsors – both introverted and extroverted, who have successfully paved their own way to various leadership positions. Learn from their journeys and offer value in return. The more you do this, the more you will build a strong professional network. This will not only enhance your visibility but will also create a support system that can vouch for your leadership potential.
5. Volunteer for Leadership Opportunities
Seek out projects or initiatives where you can take on leadership roles. Proactively volunteering for leadership responsibilities will give you the opportunity to display your willingness to step up and lead. It's an excellent way to practice your leadership skills but on a smaller scale. With time, if you continue to do this, you will inevitably grow your confidence, your skill set and gain valuable leadership experience.
6. Leverage Introverted Strengths
Introverts bring unique strengths such as deep listening, thoughtful decision-making, and strategic thinking. Highlight these qualities as assets that contribute to effective leadership. Capitalize on your ability to create a calm and focused work environment. Other introverts at your workplace will thank you!
While all these action items could apply to introverts, extroverts and all those in between. I will leave you with this: introversion doesn’t have to be a barrier to leadership; it's simply a distinctive path to it. By embracing your authentic introverted self and implementing these strategies, you can ensure that your leadership potential is recognized and valued. Your unique approach has the power to inspire and create a positive impact on those around you.