A unique question I get asked quite often (so maybe it’s not so unique) is whether an introvert can make a good leader.
The person who always asks me this question is an introvert. I sense they’re asking me the question because they want to get some sort of an affirmation that introverts can make it in business and leadership.
It’s been my view that introverts can make great leaders and be incredibly successful in business and sales if they choose to.
The decision they have to make is if they will allow the introverted nature of their personality be an asset to them. It certainly can be when they are seeking to gain knowledge and analyze situations. Important to remember, though, that it can be a weakness hen it comes to communication.
Alen Mayer, a colleague of mine, has recently written a book on this subject and I recommend anyone who views themselves as an introvert or works with an introvert to pick up a copy of it. You can find it at this link.
I’m not hawking Alen’s book merely to help him sell more.
I’m hawking it because of the insights.
There are two key things about his book I see as important. One is a personality checklist and the second is what I see as myth busters regarding introverts. Both of these tools you can read quickly and understand easily.
The majority of the book is written in bullet point format, making it possible to scan quickly to gain insights.
If you don’t feel the book is for you, keep in mind what Alen says early on:
You’ve heard of Bill Gates and Warren Buffet? Introverts. Wildly successful introverts. And they are not alone: Steve Wozniak (co-founder of Apple, partnering with the highly extroverted SteveJobs) and Larry Page (co-founder of Google) are introverts. Other notable introverts include former First Lady and women’s rights champion Eleanor Roosevelt; civil rights activist Rosa Parks; the world’s richest woman, Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling; and Albert Einstein.
With company like that, introverts have little reason to hold back. If you are an introvert, go forth and use the personality you’ve been blessed to receive to your fullest advantage.
You can find the book at this link.
Copyright 2015, Mark Hunter “The Sales Hunter.” Sales Motivation Blog. Mark Hunter is the author of High-Profit Selling: Win the Sale Without Compromising on Price.
