When it comes to effectively managing others in the workplace, explore how to help introvert managers become successful leaders!
According to some research, 25 to 40% of the population is made up of introverts.
Because of how many introverts there are, you're bound to have some introvert managers at some point. But there's a stigma around having introvert leaders, but it isn't necessarily true.
Keep reading to learn about how you can help your introvert managers and enhance their leadership qualities.
What Are Introverts?
First, you'll need to fully understand what an introvert is. Most people think of a quiet, reserved person who is very thoughtful. Or it might be someone who is shy and likes to be alone and not the center of attention.
However, the key difference isn't about if you're shy or not. Instead, introverted people gain most of their energy from being alone rather than with people. They feel exhausted or drained of energy after social interactions and need to be alone to recharge.
It's hard to measure this and fully know if you have an introvert manager. There are different levels of it, and it could be different for each person. You may have an introvert who is super bubbly and loves being around people but gains more energy from being alone.
In general, introverts do like quieter environments and want to spend time alone. They'll show more reservation in social settings generally.
Please join me in welcoming Stephen Bitsoli as our Beyond Introversion guest blogger. Stephen is a career journalist who now writes articles on mental health and substance abuse for newspapers and websites around the world. His passion for the subject and his thoughtful research shine through in his article on Imposter Syndrome today. Prepare to be enlightened...
Why Developing New Introvert Managers Is Important
If you do have an introverted manager, they have many qualities that will help them thrive. It can be good to have a diverse range of leaders at your company, and there are many benefits to developing them.
For example, introverts will genuinely care about their employees and teams' growth. They are normally grounded, focused, team-oriented, and self-aware. Because of this, they will put more effort into growing their own team, which can be great for your company's culture.
They also could have great public speaking skills with the right help. Just because they get more energy from being alone doesn't mean that they can't speak in front of a crowd of people. They have the skills, but you just need to give them the confidence they need to perform well.
In addition, they'll also help bring more diversity of thought to your business. While you should have some extroverted managers, having an introverted manager who is thoughtful, empathetic, and a good listener can also have a good balance.
What Are the Challenges of Being an Introverted Leader?
There are many different challenges of being an introverted leader. However, with the right training, these challenges can be overcome and actually turned into strengths.
Energy Management
Because introverts get most of their energy from being alone, they could get drained at work very quickly. Because they'll be interacting with their team often, they'll need to learn how to manage their energy.
If they can't manage their energy, they could end up being drained at work, which could lead to burnout and ultimately lead to them quitting. If they're drained, they may not perform well at their job either.
Boundaries
One of the ways that they can manage their energy is by setting boundaries, but this can be challenging for introverts as well.
Introverts are naturally empathetic, and many of them will do everything they can to help their employees or teams. This empathy can be a great thing, but if there are no boundaries, then managers will stretch themselves too thin.
Delegation
One thing that can help them set boundaries is delegating certain tasks and not taking too much on. But because of how hard it can be to rely on other people, introverted managers tend to take on all of the tasks by themselves.
One thing that can help with that is ensuring that the managers have employees that they can trust. If they have trusted employees, they may feel more comfortable handing work over to them.
Communication
One way to generate that trust is by ensuring that they communicate well. But as natural introverts, they might find it hard to communicate.
It can be hard for introverts to talk to people, especially if they're shy. Some managers may prefer to do all communication over IMs or email, but they should also try and have personal interactions with their team.
Benefits of Having Introverted Leaders
In order to thrive as an introverted leader, they should focus on the benefits that they can bring to the table. While extroverted leaders might dominate the meetings and talk most of the time, introverts will stay quiet and will most likely be thinking and analyzing most of the details.
However, if you're in an unpredictable environment, introverts end up being the best leaders. They can think of different ways to improve the company and can be more innovative.
A skilled manager will also want feedback from other people in the meeting. Extroverts may not think as much about other people's opinions other than their own. But introverts are great team players and will want to hear what everyone else has to say.
This gives introverts in the meeting a chance to share their opinions in a setting where they might not have felt comfortable sharing.
Discover More About Introvert Managers
These are only a few things you'll need to know about having introvert managers, but there are many more benefits to helping them.
We know that helping introvert managers bring out their best qualities can be challenging, but we're here to help you out.
Check out our services to help your management grow and thrive.
Bio: Janice Chaka
Janice Chaka is a respected international HR professional, virtual business owner, introvert coach, and professional podcaster. Long before "working remote" was hip, she confidently led a remote recruiting team. Known as the Career Introvert, Janice excels at solving complex HR challenges, managing emotions, and setting boundaries as an introvert -- Janice has mastered the art of leveraging introvert strengths to build a thriving virtual business in a global market. As a result, she is a sought-after author and speaker for digital summits on introversion, virtual work, and mental health.
Podcast: https://thetravelingintrovert.com/
Website: https://thecareerintrovert.com/
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The Questions Introverts Ponder and The Answers Extroverts Need to Hear
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The Questions Introverts Ponder
and
The Answers Extroverts Need to Hear
Introversion often feels so alone and many of us assume no one else could feel this way. Contained in this book are many of the questions that have been asked, often by introverts trying to understand this personality trait that can at times govern our lives.
Hi Steve! I just wanted to say I'm incredibly thankful that I came across your blog. I currently have your [Q&A] booklet up on my work computer and every single line resonates with me. I've struggled my entire life with introversion, but your guide is helping me realize that I need to embrace it instead of feeling embarrassed! Anyways, your content is awesome and I'm planning on sharing some info with my team. -GK 2/8/2022
I also hear from many introverts struggling to share their introversion with family, friends, and co-workers, either out of fear or just not having the words. I hope this booklet may serve to educate others to better understand the many strengths and talents we have to share.
I hope you will find this booklet an informative read and reference book with a splash of light-heartedness and inspiration as well. I invite you to start with the questions you are most curious about and share from there.
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