Guest post by Virginia Cooper <info@learnaliving.co>
What do Bill Gates, Elon Musk, and Warren Buffett all have in common? They are notorious introverts but also business leaders. They serve as a great reminder that even the most introspective of us can stand up and lead a crowd. Aspire Colorado offers today’s blog on becoming an introverted leader as just one of our many free resources.
What Is An Introvert?
A quick summary of an introvert is someone who gets drained of energy in heavy social situations but refuels by being alone or in a select crowd. An introvert is not necessarily someone who is shy or socially awkward. Instead, an introvert simply seeks their own counsel and company more than that of others.
Don’t be Afraid to Lead
It can be intimidating to take on a leadership role as an introvert, but it’s important to follow your passions and find healthy ways to lead without becoming overwhelmed in the process. For instance, if you want to start your own business, outsource the registration process to a formation service. You don’t have to manage every step yourself. Trust these professionals to collect the necessary information and submit the paperwork to make your LLC a reality.
Project Management And Other Tools
To become an effective leader as an introvert (or otherwise) you have to have the tools of the trade. The top two that come to mind are a project management platform and a communication channel.
A project management platform, which is often cloud-based, allows you to work with employees, vendors, and customers from anywhere and at any time. You can share assets, grant authority and resources, and see what each team member is working on in real time. This can help you create a more balanced working environment and keep from being overwhelmed all at once.
While most project management software offers integrated communication tools, you’ll also benefit from having a dedicated communication app, such as Skype or Google Meet for when you need to bounce ideas between yourself and your team.
Your Workforce
As an introvert, you will also want to make sure that you're hiring proactive workers. These are the people who will help you succeed as they are self-motivated and take initiative, which will relieve some pressure off of you. When you have a proactive and engaged team they can focus on leveraging their own individual strengths and developing leadership skills so that they can grow with you.
To attract and retain the right people, start by offering a competitive wage and benefits package. Be realistic about the cost of living in your area, including the price of home ownership, and develop your compensation package around that information. Then, create an interview that does more than address skills. You want to make sure that new team members will fit into your work culture and do their part.
A Little Uncomfortable
Keep in mind that you’ll have to step out of your comfort zone if you want to climb the corporate or entrepreneurship ladder and become an effective leader. You can’t just sit in your office day in and day out with no communication from outside parties.
Instead, you must be the center of attention at times. Remember, getting outside of your comfort zone is the only way to grow. And as Well + Good contributor Korin Miller asserts, leaving your comfort zone helps you break away from mediocre and move into the life you want.
Use Your Strengths as an Introvert
Ultimately, introverts have many skills that make them great leaders. They are thoughtful, reflective, and know how to build relationships on an individual level. But you can’t do it alone, and simple steps, such as using a project management platform and being willing to break away from your comfort zone, will help you be a more effective leader at work or business owner when it’s time to step into the role of leader of your own enterprise.
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