Being an Introvert-an Unfair Advantage?

When you think of leaders, do you think of introverts? If you picture a typical CEO, millionaire entrepreneur, or motivational speaker, do you see them as introverted?

You may be surprised to learn that some of the most successful people in business identify as introverts. Mark Zuckerberg, Guy Kawasaki, Laura Bush, and so many more influential people are highly introverted.

But is this something they had to overcome? Or is their introversion actually an unfair advantage?

Introverts listen more than they talk.

Listening is a powerful tool in growing your business. Really listening to your clients and customers will ensure you’re meeting their needs and serving them in the best way possible. Listening to influencers that can help promote your business will help you understand what they’re looking for and how you can also serve them. When you listen, you learn.

Introverts are self-reliant.

As I’ve said before, the top can be a lonely place. Many extroverted entrepreneurs can find it difficult to make big decisions alone, so they seek out others to brainstorm and get feedback. There is nothing wrong with that, but if you’re relying on other people’s input, it can slow down the decision-making process. Introverts have the ability to step back, reflect, and feel confident in whichever course they choose, without the assistance of others.

Introverts focus their energy outward.

If you’re an introvert running a service-based business, then you definitely have an unfair advantage. Most introverts focus their energy on others rather than focusing on themselves, which gives them a step up when it comes to serving clients. There is a downside – introverts can sometimes focus too much on the needs of others and not have any energy leftover for themselves – but overall, I find introverts to be highly skilled at client relations and customer service.

None of this means extroverts are at a disadvantage; they’re not. Extroverts tend to be more charismatic and have the ability to talk to anyone, which can significantly help with sales and networking. That’s why the majority of CEOs and business leaders are extroverts. But we need to look at introversion differently, not as something to overcome, but as something that can actually be an asset.

If you’re ready to network like an introvert, whether or not you identify as one, I encourage you to sign up for this free training. In Networking for Introverts, you’ll learn how to make the most of your next networking event by listening, asking questions, and focusing your energy outward. You’ll also learn how to inject yourself into a group of people (something that can be extremely uncomfortable for introverts!) and how to make a graceful exit.