Introvert Leadership
Date: September 22, 2016
Name: Introvert Leadership
Presenter: Kristen Rasmussen
There are many successful leaders who are introvert. Moreover, sometimes introverted leaders deliver better results than extroverted leaders. Chartered Professional Accounts of British Columbia invites Kristen Rasmussen, the Vice President of People and Culture Supporting the Consumer from Telus, to share her journey in the perspective of introvert leadership. In this presentation, leaders will learn ways to promote their teammates who are introvert. Kristen Rasmussen will share her insights and tactics to bring the best of out introverted leaders.
Kristen Rasmussen is the Vice President of People and Culture supporting the Consumer and Small Business Solutions and Finance organizations from Telus. In her 12 years in Telus, she was also the Director of Business Strategy Enablement. Before the involvement of Telus, she was the lead of a startup project called “Projux” and she was a senior consultant from Deloitte. Many introverted leaders are inspired by her authenticity from her presentation. She helped many young leaders to discover who they are and expand their leadership within.
When Kristen Rasmussen was a kid, she had a quiet personality. She could not able to express herself when she knew she was different than other people. Rasmussen loved running, but the running activity was contradicted with her personality. When she realized she was not alone, she started to open up and enjoy her personality.
“Knowing yourself is the beginning of all wisdom”
Rasmussen defines the word “introvert” comes from the combination of the Latin word “inward” and “to turn”. It describes as a person who is energized by spending time alone. Rasmussen emphasizes introvert is not equivalent to shy. In fact, it is where leaders can get their energy and where can they find their place.
Leader can be introvert without knowing it. Rasmussen provides a list that might signal leaders who are introvert.
- Leaders who prefer one on one conversations to group activities
- Leaders who prefer to express themselves by writing
- Leaders who enjoy solitude
- Leaders who care about wealth, fame, and status less than their peers
- Leaders who dislike small talk, but enjoy in-depth topics that matter to them
- Leaders who are good listeners
- Leaders who are not big risk-takers
- Leaders who enjoy work that allows them to dive in with few interruptions
- Leaders who love to celebrate birthdays with small scale
- Leaders who are soft spoken or mellow
- Leaders who do their best work on their own
- Leaders who tend to think before speak
- Leaders who feel drained after being out and about
- Leaders who let calls go through voicemail
There are some different themes between introverted and extroverted leaders. Introverted leaders are usually within smaller groups. They process internally and have deliberate approach to risk. They enjoy solitude and they energize when focused deeply. However, extroverts are friends and strangers alike. They process externally and are comfortable with conflict. They stimulate environments and focus multiple areas. Rasmussen believes it is important to know how to communicate with both introverts and extroverts.
Rasmussen explains the science behind introverts and extroverts is the processing time and the response to stimulation. Extroverts have faster processing and stimulation; however, introverts have slower processing because they have longer neuropath way. Their thoughts need to go through long term memory and planning before it processes by brain. Rasmussen believes introverts are happy with less stimulate information.
This society has a strong bias towards introverted and extroverted leaders. These beliefs are formed by socialization, experiences and different views. Rasmussen explains the experience creates conscious compliance. Leaders must be aware of how unconscious and conscious minds work.
There are some biases in this society about introverts.
- Social media can be a great place for introverts.
- Less patient to wait for introverts
- Less engagement from introverts during conversation
Introverted leaders need their space. It takes time for introverted leaders to get the best of out of them.
“You see things. You keep quiet about them. And you understand”
Rasmussen emphasizes there is zero correlation between being the best talker and having the best ideas. The society has a movement from who people are, how they make up their characters, and honor their characteristics to people who believe the best talkers are the frontline of business. Introverted leaders need to step up and create the impact they deserve.
There are many strong introverted leaders, such as Bill Gates, Warren Buffett, Oprah Winfrey, and Steve Wozniak. Rasmussen believes introverted leaders have the characteristic of creating space for extroverts to perform and come forward. The ability to think deeply is one step towards success and introverted leaders have the attribute of creating expertise.
There are barriers, such as expectation and perfectly, that prevent introverted leaders to truly thrive. Rasmussen suggests leaders to review their current structure. Leaders need to provide education that allows for different type of output and provide agenda in advance during meeting.
Rasmussen recommends introverted leaders to take time to know themselves and recognize their value. Introverted leaders need to focus on the right ROI, manage their schedule and push their comfort zone. Introverted leaders can make pre-plan to control their environment or partner with extroverted leaders to become aware of systems around them. They need to understand how others see them and think holistically. Rasmussen also recommends leaders to read “The Manifesto for Introverts” from Susan Cain.
The first step for introverted leaders is to start with a conversation.
“Our ability to reach unity in diversity will be the beauty and the best of our civilization”