Introverts succeed when they, “Stop trying to be like extroverts and tap into their strengths.” Jennifer Kahnweiler, author of, The Genius of Opposites.
Tap strengths:
- Listen and paraphrase. Give yourself time to reflect by paraphrasing what you’ve heard.
- Get quiet. Recharge yourself with quiet time.
- Have one-on-ones.
- Write. Look within with writing. Explore options, decompress, and find solutions with your pen.
4 ways leaders develop introverts:
- Preparation. Introverts need time to prepare. Don’t put them on the spot. Send the agenda ahead of time, for example. When I bring up an unplanned idea to my introvert team members, I relieve stress by saying we can decide next week.
- Presence. Don’t bring up unexpected items before a presentation, for example. Help introverts stay in the moment. Remove distractions don’t create them.
- Push. Introverts know how to push themselves. Encourage them to push and acknowledge their efforts. What are you pushing through? How are you pushing yourself?
- Practice. Refine skills with practice. Extroverts may feel OK just trying things, not introverts.
Tapping the genius of opposites*:
Don’t fix. Leverage the genius of introverts and extroverts. They aren’t broken.
- Accept the alien: You can’t change…you can understand.
- Bring on the battles: Better solutions are generated when introverts and extroverts find solutions together.
- Cast the character: Understand each other’s role and share the credit.
- Destroy the dislike: Talk openly about differences. Humor brings people together. Gently laugh about different perspectives.
- Each can’t offer everything: Celebrate diversity and generate the widest range of options.
*Adapted from, The Genius of Opposites.
Introvert friendly environments:
- Stop prejudging..
- Learn the strengths and weaknesses of both.
- Exploit strengths.
- Find solutions as teams.
- Give introverts emotional and physical space. Allow for pauses.
This post is based on my interview with Jennifer Kahnweiler, author of, The Genius of Opposites. I highly recommend her book.
How might leaders create introvert friendly environments?
What important about working with our opposite?