The Introverted Leader

Introduction: What Is an Introverted Leader?
Chapter 1: Four Key Challenges
Chapter 2: Unlocking Success: The 4 P's Process
Chapter 3: Strengths and Soft Spots
Chapter 4: Public Speaking
Chapter 5: Managing and Leading
Chapter 6: Heading Up Projects
Chapter 7: Managing Up
Chapter 8: The Meeting Game
Chapter 9: Building Relationships
Chapter 10: Wins from Using the 4 P's Process
Chapter 11: What's Next? Moving Toward Success

"Finally, a book that recognizes the immense value that introverts bring to the workplace. You'll learn how to lead with quiet confidence through powerful personal examples and practical tools."
--Daniel H. Pink, author of A Whole New Mind

"This thoughtful process offers to improve the leadership potential of many who make a significant contribution to the people around them, and, by extension, our society at large."
--Edward T. Reilly, President and CEO, American Management Association International

"The Introverted Leader offers a straightforward and practical approach to business communication and leadership that will allow introverts to cut through the noise of an extroverted world and have their invaluable voices heard."
--Carol A. DiBattiste, Senior Vice President, Privacy, Security, Compliance, and Government Affairs, LexisNexis Group

Think of your own behaviors and answer true or false. You can also use this tool to identify introverts on your team.

1. I am at a loss for words when meeting new people
2. I feel exhausted when around people too much.
3. I am sometimes wrongly perceived as a "slow thinker."
4. People often ask me "What's wrong?" when nothing is the matter.
5. I have been passed over for career opportunities because I am under the radar.
6. I am "talked" over on conference calls.
7. I prefer written to verbal communication.
8. I would rather study a topic first and then give my opinion.
9. I avoid giving improvement feedback to team members.
10. I would rather walk on a bed of nails than give a speech.

If you answered True to 6-10 questions you may be introverted. In order to develop your leadership role you should consider talking with your manager or a coach to determine which areas to focus on.

If you answered True to 3-5 questions you are probably introverted in certain work situations. It will be to your advantage to identify challenging scenarios (ex. meetings, networking,) and set small improvement goals

If you answered True to 0-2 questions you may be an introvert who has learned to adapt to your extroverted organization or you may be a natural extrovert who can learn to adopt some successful introvert behaviors. You have a wide range of behaviors that can be applied to leadership scenarios. Consider coaching others on the lessons you have learned.

There is no question that most people say work-life balance is critical. I would
say that it has been on the top 5 of the "must have" list for most of my clients in
recent years.

But reality doesn't always synch up with our desires. The other day, a client told
me, with a tinge of regret, that she would be cutting back on her newly launched
personal trainer sessions. Why? Her office has a "face time" mentality-that is you
need to be on site until 6:30 p.m. each night or you are not seen as a player.

When asked if she had a choice in the matter, she said no, not really.

Can you say no in corporate America today? I think that is important to check out
the corporate climate you are in or are entering. It's great if you can find a spot in
the increasing number of places that value a balanced lifestyle. These places are
made up of people who know that you bring a healthy perspective to your job if
you also have a life. It may not even be a department or office but could even be
your manager.

If you value health and fitness then why not explain to your boss that you have a
standing appointment and leave the guilt at home. If she wants to punish you
despite your performance than seriously evaluate the situation. Unfortunately, my
client probably has lost the war before she has begun to fight.

Any thoughts on how to manage this tricky path of work life balance?

Do you get your energy from within? Are you annoyed by the many people in
your workplace who expect quick off the cuff answers? Do you need time to
decompress after a social engagement?

You may be an introvert living in an Extroverted world. Most workplaces are not
geared to this more reflective type of personality.

We need to work together so it helps to get to know what makes the other half
tick.

Are you a misunderstood Introvert?

What advice do you have for the rest of us who draw our energy from other
people? Should we leave you alone more?

Extroverts - how do you handle the introverts in your life?

I recently heard a wind quartet play and as I listened to the melodious sounds fill
the concert hall, I was especially struck by the synergy that this group of four
talented musicians demonstrated.

Their communication seemed to be effortless and I could feel their joy and hear
their connection in the pieces they played. Can we make beautiful music at
work?

Many experts have studied what makes some teams successful and others fail.

Focusing on shared goals and respect for the contributions of each member are
key, as are a sense of synergy, or 'shared energy.'

Team building activities can be one way to strengthen a team.

Someone recently told me about miniature golf outings that her manager had
arranged. "As a small department we really got to mingle and get to know each
other as people, not coworkers at these team-building events. Some of us
suddenly found out that we have more in common and we also had good times to
reminisce about."

I am all for these activities. Depending on your budget and time, you can initiate
and plan lunch at a local restaurant or even a picnic at Piedmont Park.

I know one team that took over a pottery studio to throw pots (talk about getting
out your frustration on a piece of clay rather than on your team mate!)

Another family friendly company in town encouraged employees to arrange
outings together and an afternoon at the spa for the women was a common
choice.

Other bigger ticket but memorable days can be spent cooking, sailing or even
wine making at Chateau Elan. Check out www.businessballs.com for lots of free
ideas about team building activities.

" ...when we covered networking in class I was thinking "this is nice but when will I use it?" Well it is a good thing I paid attention anyway! I've used these skills and now have my first potential client!"

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"Jennifer has a classroom presence which is enjoyable - teacher, professional and modern; not easy to be all of them but she does it."

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"You are very good at getting me to brainstorm and research. Somehow I "knew" this 25 years ago. I just didn't have you to set me straight."

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"I just cannot tell you how much you helped me.. I owe much of my new focus to our efforts together over the last few months."

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"Jennifer has an extraordinary ability to "get into your shoes" and understand the issues you're dealing with. She asks great questions that stretch you to think about things differently. Jennifer knows when to offer advice and when to simply listen."

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