What Ive Had To Learn From Being An Introverted CEO - Introvert Whisperer

Introvert Whisperer / What I’ve Had To Learn From Being An Introverted CEO - Introvert Whisperer What I’ve Had To Learn From Being An Introverted CEO Before we dive into things, I think it is important to note that shyness and introversion are not synonymous. According to Myers-Briggs, introverts get energy from the inner world of reflections and thoughts, and focus said energy inwards. Shyness, defined by the APA, is the tendency to feel worried, awkward, or tense during social interactions. As you can see, these are two very different personality traits! Although I do not consider myself shy, I am most definitely an introvert. This has created many obstacles for me as a CEO, but it has also benefited me in many ways. Along the way I have learned great practices to overcome the challenges that arise being an introverted leader. If you find yourself in a similar boat, I welcome you to continue reading and soak up the knowledge I have to offer! Separating Work From Life Regardless of what position you hold, work can be stressful. So if you are a workaholic like me, not allowing that stress to follow you home is difficult to say the least. When I first began my startup, this was especially challenging being that my office was in my living room! I had to make a conscious effort to pull myself away from my laptop and make time to recharge. Although I enjoyed being alone, as introverts do, the feeling of, “I could be doing something much more productive,” always crept up on me. After reading many Forbes articles and memoirs from successful entrepreneurs, I saw they also struggled with this feeling and looked to meditation to alleviate their stress. Although it may sound cliche, this practice did wonders for me. For the first time, I felt that I had an escape from the pressure of my career. It also was an activity I looked forward to practicing everyday because it gave me time to reflect on myself. Now I am not saying that meditation is the key to being a successful introverted CEO, but I do believe making time to focus yourself is crucial for maintaining your mental wellness. Leading Diverse Personalities Once my company grew, I inevitably began to hire employees. At first it seemed like a huge weight was going to be lifted off my shoulders, but that wasn’t the case. Whenever human assets are involved, so is relationship management. This is an exhausting task for anyone, especially an introvert! I tackle this task by having monthly meetings with every single employee and simply listening. I ask them to come prepared with their accomplishments and challenges of last month. This way I have to do limited facilitating. This results in more efficient management and happier employees. Conflict management is a skill bosses at every level must master. Regardless if the conflict stems from employees or clients, it is important to never allow your emotions to get the best of you. I think the traits that make introverts excellent at dealing with conflict are their: empathy, attentiveness, and ability to internally process. Leverage these skills and use them to your advantage! It is what all great leaders do. All in all, I believe anyone is capable of success. Regardless of what industry you operate in, anyone can be a CEO. All it takes is drive, passion, and a lot of hard work. On your journey up the corporate ladder you will learn more about your introversion and see it more as a superpower than an obstacle. About The Author: