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Diane L CNN reports that while top corporate positions (and any leadership position, really) are associated with extroverts, introverts can be great leaders too. http://bit.ly/ekVa7f Has there ever been a situation at work when you felt you needed to modify your usual persona/response to get a particular result/for any reason?

64 weeks ago

Cheryl Roshak: I'm not sure how modifying your usual persona/response equates to the article you referenced about introverts can be leaders too. Am I missing ...MoreI'm not sure how modifying your usual persona/response equates to the article you referenced about introverts can be leaders too. Am I missing something here? If you are an empathic, sensitive person you normally adjust your behavior or responses to the situation diplomatically so that you don't get ruffle people's feathers and hopefully get the desired effect or action you desire. That is being smart and reading people. Not selling out. So of course one adjusts one's timbre, voice, attitude appropriately to the situation, otherwise, you lose. Don't you think?
64 weeks ago
Diane L: Hi Cheryl, I apologize that I wasnt clearer before in my question. The article's presumption upon which its argument rests is that the ...MoreHi Cheryl, I apologize that I wasnt clearer before in my question. The article's presumption upon which its argument rests is that the extroversion-introversion leadership style is a spectrum rather than a dichotomy, upon which it is possible for leaders to dial up towards extroversion, or down towards introversion, to interact with others most effectively as the situation calls for, in a way other than that which they default to.

The conclusion in the article was that the more "chameleon-ic" one is (in adjusting your extroversion/introversion balance at any point of time), the more successful one will be in leadership. This was what HBS's Francesca Gino found to be true in her study and I wanted to hear examples on Brazen.

Say perhaps, an introverted leader who usually processes ideas quietly, has a knack for setting the stage for lively idea exchange between team mates (example in the article). At the same time, he manages to switch to a more "extroverted" mode if his team is new or not yet at that stage of lively dynamic brainstorming, to nurture desired attitudes or to draw out ideas from his team that were already there but not yet flowing.

In sum, he would then have succeeded not only in developing ideas but also developing people.
64 weeks ago
Edward Antrobus: @Cheryl, towards the end of the article, it talks about the need to manage how their coworkers see them to become successful leaders.

Personally, ...More@Cheryl, towards the end of the article, it talks about the need to manage how their coworkers see them to become successful leaders.

Personally, my interests are quiet varied, so I am rather chameleon-like in social situations, once I get to know the people there. Some people may claim that I'm not being "authentic" but I see it as simply showing different sides of my large and complex authentic personality depending on the situation.
64 weeks ago
Diane L: Indeed! I agree that if you stick to being only one way, it is like being the social version of a hammer, and every interaction will look like a ...MoreIndeed! I agree that if you stick to being only one way, it is like being the social version of a hammer, and every interaction will look like a nail. Kudos to you Edward for the many-faceted persona approach! Contrary to your point, I think being multifaceted is being truer to yourself because humans have multi personas.

Anyhow, Id love to hear yours and anyone else's specific situations at work too when you diffused tension, nurtured others, or got things done, as a team or leader. :)
64 weeks ago
Edward Antrobus: @Diane, personally I'm in the work to live, not live to work crowd. Between that and a lack of same-language coworkers that I've had over the ...More@Diane, personally I'm in the work to live, not live to work crowd. Between that and a lack of same-language coworkers that I've had over the years, I haven't had a lot of chances at diffusing tension or nurturing others at work. But I definitely get things done. Mostly by going off and doing it on my own when there is a stalemate. As an introvert, I find just doing it a lot easier than talking about it.
64 weeks ago
Cheryl Roshak: @Diane, thanks for clarifying your question for me, or perhaps I misinterpreted it, but I see where you're coming from now and I totally agree. ...More@Diane, thanks for clarifying your question for me, or perhaps I misinterpreted it, but I see where you're coming from now and I totally agree. I'm sort of a mix of an extrovert/introvert, though I think inside I'm more introverted but as a business owner I have to extroverted much of the time. It's hard to give specific examples because it is constantly in play every day, the need to pull back, the need to take charge, any good leader will tell you that. That's what really makes an effective leader. You're in charge at all times, so it's up to you to set the dynamic in place to achieve the results you want. If you want your group to brainstorm or share their real opinions about something, then you have to let go and be more docile. If you need to rally the team into high gear to accomplish something urgent, that takes the extrovert in you. So yes, the article is on target.
64 weeks ago
Cheryl Roshak: @Edward, interesting comment, I'm not sure how one manages one's coworkers or employees so they view one as a successful leader. I employ people ...More@Edward, interesting comment, I'm not sure how one manages one's coworkers or employees so they view one as a successful leader. I employ people who want to work for me, who believe in what I do, and the way I do business, and with whom I have a rapport. Granted I'm a small business owner and have this luxury but even larger companies have corporate cultures and hire for fit. That there are at times leaders or managers who rise through the ranks that lack certain skills is true, but you can't run a company without knowing what the article states or you'll have either a company of one of two extremes, which are not good environments to work in. The dictator who always knows best and rules by fear and intimidation, or the milquetoast employer who can't make tough decisions or call people on accountability for fear of losing disfavor among his employees. They survive somehow, but not the most healthy places to work for.
64 weeks ago
Edward Antrobus: Cheryl, I think there is a difference between being an introvert and being a people-pleaser or pushover. I am strongly introverted, but once I ...MoreCheryl, I think there is a difference between being an introvert and being a people-pleaser or pushover. I am strongly introverted, but once I make a decision, I stick to it.
64 weeks ago
Cheryl Roshak: @Edward, perhaps I stated that wrong, in my haste. I certainly didn't mean that an introvert is a pushover or people-pleasure, forgive me if ...More@Edward, perhaps I stated that wrong, in my haste. I certainly didn't mean that an introvert is a pushover or people-pleasure, forgive me if that's what it sounded like. They are people of passion with strong beliefs, but often do not make themselves heard or rely on passive tactics rather than grandiose ones. Thanks for bringing that to my attention.
64 weeks ago
Ty Unglebower: There may have been times in various situations where I sensed being an extrovert, or acting like one at least, would have provided advancement. ...MoreThere may have been times in various situations where I sensed being an extrovert, or acting like one at least, would have provided advancement. But I couldn't and didn't make the change.
64 weeks ago
Scott Messinger: The second I hit the office door until the second I leave!
64 weeks ago
Scrollwork: Diane, interesting post. As a blogger I sound so much more confident and cavalier about my struggles than I really am. As an introvert, I ...MoreDiane, interesting post. As a blogger I sound so much more confident and cavalier about my struggles than I really am. As an introvert, I gravitated toward writing after college, but when I got sucked into the marketing/public relations side of it I knew I had to adapt. Joining Toastmasters International for six years modified my innate shyness so much that people who know me now cannot picture me any other way. I consider myself a serious, introspective person, but when I teach dance, I inject much humor into the instruction to create rapport and relax my students. Then I go home and revert to serious and quiet : )

Scott, I've been there! I started looking for another job when I realized it, but in this economy I didn't find my way out.

Ty, there was a situation in which joining in the brown-nosing would've kept my job but killed my self-respect.

Cheryl, the dictator and the milquetoast were in the cast of characters at one of my employers. The milquetoast was the boss; the dictator, his assistant. Toxic.


64 weeks ago
Kristen Creager: As an extreme extrovert, I always need to remember to shut up and listen!
64 weeks ago
Scrollwork: Kristen, one of my past bosses did me huge favor early in our working relationship. She cut me short on the phone and said, "You know what your ...MoreKristen, one of my past bosses did me huge favor early in our working relationship. She cut me short on the phone and said, "You know what your problem is? You don't listen." Henceforth I responded to her every complaint with, "I hear you, Madame President." And because I knew I'd be prefacing it that way, I remembered to actually listen!
64 weeks ago
Diane L: All very interesting points! @Ty and @Scrollwork, I think you bring up a crucial idea...one of the pains of over-modifying for the purpose of ...MoreAll very interesting points! @Ty and @Scrollwork, I think you bring up a crucial idea...one of the pains of over-modifying for the purpose of doing a better job at work is that we begin to resent behaving like who we are not. This certainly reminds us that there should and will always be a line drawn as to how much extroversion or introversion to dial up/down to! Where your natural set point probably determines where your limit will be, as in all cases in life. While flexibility is key, I think we should also celebrate our innate natures and set boundaries for ourselves, so, good job on not going past yours :)

@Kristen, though I find it funny that you make mental notes to quiet yourself, in actual fact I think even the introverts dont listen too and can benefit from such a mental note! :) In this case, listening can then be seen as a habit to cultivate, stemming from true curiosity of others' thoughts.

@Scott, does that tire you out sometimes? How do you self-manage or draw boundaries?
63 weeks ago
Justine Smith: Depending on the person I do change my approach but not my personality. I'm still me. If I dealing with someone more introverted that is very ...MoreDepending on the person I do change my approach but not my personality. I'm still me. If I dealing with someone more introverted that is very analytical I will make sure to present the data and have all the details ready. If I'm presenting to a direct, bottom line exec I will make sure to have a concise summary that bottom lines my recommendations before jumping into any detail.
63 weeks ago
Nelson Santiago: Any time your in a leadership role you must be able to adapt to the personality of others. Every employee is different and every approach must be ...MoreAny time your in a leadership role you must be able to adapt to the personality of others. Every employee is different and every approach must be different also. You have to be aware of what makes someone "click". Knowing your people and their circumstances will help you figure out how to deal with them in the most effective way. I experience this in my job every day. All my employees are from all over the country and, in some cases, around the world.
15 weeks ago

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