What about quiet leaders?

Have you ever felt that only the loudest members of your team are being recognized and/or promoted while those who are contributing their ideas more quietly often do not get as much credit?

Studies found that extroverts are more likely to rise to leadership positions due to a greater motivation to achieve external goals, such as a promotion or increased salary. The perception that extroverted individuals make better leaders is influenced by the fact that there are more extroverts in leadership positions.

In her 2012 book, “Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking”, Susan Cain brought much-needed attention to how extroverted leaders have gotten a lot of the spotlight, to the point that excellent introverted leaders are increasingly overlooked. She argues that without introverts we wouldn’t have leadership achievements such as the Apple computer, or the theory of relativity — both Steve Jobs and Albert Einstein were introverts.

In this VGL Forum we want to dive into the topic of “Quiet Leadership” and discuss:

• Why are introvert leaders a benefit to businesses?
• What do introverts bring to leadership positions and their teams?
• What are introverts’ key challenges and how can they rise because of — not in spite of — their introversion?
• What are implicit organisational barriers for introvert leaders and what can we do to change them?
• Leadership vs. Leadership? How do you facilitate extrovert and introvert participants in meetings?
• How do introverted leaders network?

Join us as Pari Namazie moderates a conversation with Anas El-Mahdi and Andrew Stotter-Brooks where we explore quiet leadership and share stories and best practices.