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The Introverted Leader: Building on Your Quiet Strength Paperback – April 15, 2013
There is a newer edition of this item:
In our extroverted business culture, introverts can feel excluded, overlooked, or misunderstood. But being an introvert doesn’t mean you can’t be a great leader. Citing examples of highly successful leaders like Bill Gates and Warren Buffett, Jennifer Kahnweiler shows that introverts can build on their quiet strength and make it a source of great power.
After highlighting the common challenges introverts face at work, such as stress, invisibility, and perception gaps, the book details a straightforward four-step process to handle work situations such as managing up, leading projects, public speaking, and many more. Kahnweiler provides numerous examples and leadership tips as well as a revealing Introverted Leader Quiz that pinpoints where focused attention will produce maximum results, The Introverted Leader will teach you to embrace your natural work style in order to advance your career, get the most out of the people around you, and add value to your organization.
- Print length168 pages
- LanguageEnglish
- PublisherBerrett-Koehler Publishers
- Publication dateApril 15, 2013
- Dimensions5.5 x 0.75 x 8.5 inches
- ISBN-101609942000
- ISBN-13978-1609942007
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Editorial Reviews
Review
—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
“Many of the most effective leaders are self-contained ‘inner processors’ who are nonetheless extremely capable of getting results. This book shows you how to get the most out of yourself and others whose management style is different.""
—Brian Tracy, author of The 100 Absolutely Unbreakable Laws of Business Success and Eat That Frog!
“Kahnweiler believes that we must recognize the many thoughtful, inwardly focused, quiet ‘gems’ within our midst. If you count yourself as introverted some or all of the time, this book is a must-read.""
—Liliana de Kerorguen, President, Merial Canada Inc.
“Introverts are often understated overachievers. Their quality and contributions may not be discovered and rewarded. If you are an introverted manager who finds public speaking intimidating and being around people draining, this book provides practical guidance that will help you embrace and control uncomfortable situations. It will enable you to be more effective.”
—Ping Fu, President and CEO, Geomagic and 2005 Inc. magazine Entrepreneur of the Year
""Jennifer B. Kahnweiler shows that she understands the challenges and opportunities introverted leaders face daily in a global marketplace. If you are an introverted leader or a manager of introverts -- or both! -- read this book. Kahnweiler delivers a proven four-part process drawn from her work in the trenches. Yes, introverted leaders can win!
—Fabrice Egros, President, UCB Pharma Inc.
“Does the thought of working a room make you want to run from the room? The good news is, you don't have to be the life of the party to be a successful leader. This book teaches people skills you can use to lead with confident, compassionate authority so you command the respect, loyalty and results you want, need and deserve. Read it and reap.”
—Sam Horn, author of POP! and Tongue Fu!
“The Introverted Leader shows how to enhance your natural temperament and claim your place as an extraordinarily confident introverted leader in today’s demanding workplace. Jennifer’s strong track record of coaching the more reticent types among us shines through in this highly engaging and practical book.”
—Dr. Tony Alessandra, coauthor of The New Art of Managing People and The Platinum Rule
""I've been an executive coach for more than fifteen years and only wish I'd had this book sooner for my many introverted clients. Jennifer's four-step process—clear, concrete, and centered on results—helps ‘not-so-noisy’ leaders avoid career derailment and achieve success. If you're an introvert—or you coach, mentor or manage one—this is the book you've been waiting for. Buy it, read it, and put it to work!”
—Sharon Jordan-Evans, executive coach and coauthor of Love ‘Em or Lose ‘Em: Getting Good People to Stay
""This is an important book for introverts and extraverts alike. Extraverts will benefit by gaining deeper insight into the mind of the introvert. Introverts will learn to embrace their introversion and the true value that they bring to the organizations they serve. The tips and tools that Kahnweiler introduces will help introverts navigate an extraverted corporate world. Shhh. Hear that? It’s the sound of your confidence growing!”
—Bill Treasurer, founder of Giant Leap Consulting and author of Courage Goes to Work
""Jennifer B. Kahnweiler's experience with numerous high-level organizations speaks loud and clear in this first-of-its-kind book for introverted leaders. Those who are reluctant to step out of the shadows will learn to do so while keeping their personality intact.""
—Tom Darrow, founder and Principal, Talent Connections, LLC
From the Author
About the Author
Foreword author Douglas R. Conant served as president and CEO of the Campbell Soup Company from 2001 - 2011. He is co-author of the New York Times bestseller, TouchPoints: Creating Powerful Leadership Connections in the Smallest of Moments.
Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.
Introverted Leader?
Do you ever feel like extroverts get everything they ask for while your needs are passed over … or ignored?
Are you drained by business socializing?
Do you feel like you are not heard at meetings?
Have you ever turned down a speech or interview request?
If so, you may be introverted, and you are not alone. Many respected executives, such as Bill Gates, Warren Buffet, and Andrea Jung, are naturally introverted.1 Other famous leaders, such as Mother Theresa, Abraham Lincoln, and Martin Luther King Jr., were thought to be introverted. The late Katharine Graham was introverted, and it is likely that President Barack Obama is an introvert. The list goes on.
A well-kept secret is that, like these well-known and successful introverts, there are millions of people who can experience deep discomfort and inhibition in interpersonal situations. This is not because there is something wrong with them. Introverts have a temperament that is more inner-focused, and they must adapt to an extroverted world, one that is primarily driven by interpersonal interactions. With estimates that almost 50 percent of the population2 and 40 percent of executives are introverted, you are certainly not alone. Yet, to be an effective leader, you have a responsibility to connect with employees, customers, and colleagues and, like other successful introverted leaders, you need to find ways to succeed.
An Overview of Introversion
and Extroversion
There is no one definition of introversion or extroversion that can be tied up neatly. However, it is an area of personality that can be best explained by a description of general tendencies. If you haven’t taken the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (the MBTI) to determine your preference, doing a search online will reveal many resources to help you with this.
Figure 1. Typical Characteristics
image
However, I find that most people seem to recognize their introversion when presented with some typical characteristics. Let’s review the list above in Figure 1 and see which side resonates with you more.
If you are torn between both sides of the chart, it is not a problem. You might ask yourself the question, “If I had to be one for the rest of my life, which one would I choose?” Some people have situational introversion. There are certain scenarios in which they reveal introverted tendencies. It is said that even Oprah Winfrey was tongue-tied when she met Nelson Mandela for the first time!
There is a difference between introversion and shyness. Shyness is driven by fear and social anxiety. Although the symptoms may overlap (e.g., avoidance of public speaking), introversion is a preference and should not be considered a problem.
Can Introverts Be Leaders?
Absolutely, introverts can be successful leaders. I define leaders very broadly. If you are someone who recognizes that you need to work through people to achieve results, then you are a leader. If you are not satisfied with the status quo and want to improve processes and make a difference, then you are a leader. If you want to help people, then you are a leader. I leave it up to you to define the term for yourself. Leaders have to make sure the job gets done, and they also need to plan for change, coach others, and work with other people to get results.
There is a strong case to be made for the success of introverted leaders. Go od to Great by Jim Collins has become a classic business book. In studying the characteristics of successful companies, Jim Collins found that every successful company he studied had a leader who exhibited what he called “Level 5” characteristics during times of transition. They demonstrated a focus on results, but equally important, and perhaps paradoxically, they each possessed personal humility. They displayed “compelling modesty, were self-effacing and understated”3; these qualities and this emotional intelligence seem very aligned with the introverted leader.
In a study published in CIO Magazine,4 senior executives said that a lack of empathy was a key cause of failure in leaders today. These results match research that was done by the guru of emotional intelligence, Daniel Goleman. He found that the best bosses have something called high social intelligence. This form of intelligence correlates more with attention and focus on relationships. Those with high social intelligence are able to connect with others and greatly influence the performance of their people.5
How Leaders Manage Their Introversion
Turn a Weakness into a Strength
In my consulting with successful business executives over the years, I have found many who have been candidly honest about being introverted. In fact, they tend to talk about the topic at length, as though they have never been asked about this “secret.” They approach introversion as they would any other challenging business problem and seek to understand which behaviors are working and which aren’t. Then they develop a strategy and execute a plan.
The successful introverted leader actually turns what might be considered a weakness into a strength. One well-respected manager was given feedback in his career that he was too “low key.” In his future role as a senior leader he turned this laid-back persona into presence. He had a strong ability to project a calm confidence—a sense of ease, poise, and self-assurance that transferred to all the people around him.
Another leader turned her disdain for large-group socializing into a chance to get her vision across to her team in different ways. She made a point of building on her preference for one-on-one conversations. As a result, she got to know each of her people, and she built clear communication channels and trust.
These leaders have found creative ways to adapt. In and out of diverse workplaces, one-on-one and in groups, the ongoing give and take with customers and colleagues is what gets results and ultimately makes the difference in whether or not you are a credible and respected leader, colleague, and employee.
Though she is far from a role model, Miranda Priestly, the ghastly boss (and “closet introvert” perhaps?) in the film The Devil Wears Prada uses a technique that serves her well. Her two assistants memorize the names, photo headshots, and trivia about all of her party guests, which they then unobtrusively whisper in her ear before each encounter.
One CEO I interviewed said that he managed his anxiety in meetings with subordinates by taking careful notes, not realizing how incredibly helpful this would be when he needed this information months later.
The power of silence is another characteristic that can serve as a strength. Many people are not comfortable with silence and try to fill the gaps with comments that are off the cuff, whereas the comments made by the introvert can be more thoughtful. Sid Milstein, VP Global BPO for EDS, an HP company, told me that you can convey a sense of reflective wisdom to your peers and your bosses because you “hopefully, are considering facts and issues before speaking.”
Introverts can access greater wisdom from within when their mind is quiet. They can choose their words carefully and correctly. An executive coach I know who has worked with many senior executives said that when these reflective leaders speak, what shows up is very powerful. Judy Gray, president and CEO of the Florida Society of Association of Executives said, “The whole phenomenon of quiet yet effective leadership deserves to be recognized and appreciated. The passionately exuberant or charismatic leader initially has a leg up on capturing people’s hearts and minds, but those characteristics alone are not what create sustainable progress or meaningful change.” A really powerful, astute Ivy-League type years ago told her, “The person in the room with the most power is the quietest.”
Pausing and reflecting also helps keep introverted leaders from putting their feet in their mouths. One person I spoke with who works in politics expressed gratitude at being able to hold his tongue. Where he worked, one wrong word could have cost him his job.
When you are introverted, you also have more time to observe and read people. Mary Toland, a senior project manager, has been able to groom talent on her project team by coaching those who have receded into the background. She has developed empathy for introverted, emerging leaders, and shares a realistic view of what it takes to rise in the ranks and succeed in her organization. Mary is now passing this knowledge on.
This book will show you the many ways you can adapt your leadership style now and in the future. Just as you may complete Sudoku puzzles or learn a new language to stretch your brain, you can gain practical and proven tools to build on your quiet strength. The next chapter will clarify the tangible challenges you will likely experience as you move down the road toward being a successful introverted leader.
Product details
- Publisher : Berrett-Koehler Publishers; New edition (April 15, 2013)
- Language : English
- Paperback : 168 pages
- ISBN-10 : 1609942000
- ISBN-13 : 978-1609942007
- Item Weight : 8.3 ounces
- Dimensions : 5.5 x 0.75 x 8.5 inches
- Best Sellers Rank: #174,160 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #2,381 in Leadership & Motivation
- Customer Reviews:
About the author
Jennifer B. Kahnweiler, Ph.D. Certified Speaking Professional, is an author and global speaker hailed as a “champion for introverts.” Her bestselling books The Introverted Leader, Quiet Influence, and The Genius of Opposites have been translated into 18 languages and help introverts throughout the world expand their leadership capacity.
Jennifer has deepened her knowledge and appreciation for introverts through her work as a learning and development professional and speaker at leading organizations like General Electric, Freddie Mac, NASA, Turner Broadcasting, the US Centers for Disease Control, the American Management Association and TedX Centennial Park Women.
She has been invited to deliver keynote speeches and seminars in Australia, Vietnam, Japan, Germany, the Netherlands, and Paraguay. Jennifer has also been featured in Fortune, Forbes, Time Magazine, The New York Times, The Huffington Post, and The Wall Street Journal. She serves on several professional boards and derives joy from being a mom and grandmother and serving as a mentor to many professional women. She is based in Atlanta, GA.
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Top reviews from the United States
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An informative quiz is first taken in chapter 3 to assess the skills strengths, address one's deficits and to also introduce the "six critical work skill areas" each covered chapter-wise (4 to 9) and which include Public Speaking, Managing & Leading, Heading Up Projects, Managing Up, The Meeting Game and Building Relationships.
All the six work domains are encompassed into an excellent model ie. "4Ps" Process which is introduced by the author Dr. Jennifer Kahnweiler in chapter 2. It is a simple to comprehend four step behavioural framework which essentially aims to instill the reader with a sense of confidence (in the Preparation phase), maintain full engagement (Presence phase), by operating outside the comfort zone (the Push phase) and concluding with the (Practice) phase. As such the "4Ps Process" is very well integrated into the "skill sets" chapters in the book.
Dr Kahnweiler has presented the material in a crisp "easy to read" professional format interspersed with some excellent references (eg. Jay Conger & N Anand's paper on "Networking" in chapter 9 and Stewart L Strokes' paper on "Managing the Toughest Transitions Part 1" in chapter 5 are quite seminal). There is a lot to be benefited on the professional front from going through these references too.
That said (IL) is an excellent read for all executives, team leaders to-be and HODs, who want to get some valuable insight on their interpersonal skills. All in all an engaging read and a worthwhile investment. I, myself, procured two copies and am very satisfied.
I appreciated Dr. Kahnweiler's broad scope and her willingness to include advice from various leaders. It seems to me that books too often take one success story and prescribe whatever that person did as a fix-all for managers or companies. The author does well in summing up a useful approach without limiting the personal perspective and sometimes conflicting advice from the people she interviewed.
The Introverted Leader confirmed much of what I do in management now and gave me ideas that I will use to improve my management skills in the future. It's definitely worth a read.
The 4 P's Kahnweiler describes (Prepare, Presence, Push, Practice) seem so fundamental, you'll wonder why you didn't think of them on your own. However, in her book, she goes on to describe specific applications of the 4 P's (in meetings or when managing projects, for example) that help firmly cement the concepts so they are more than a logical abstraction.
After reading this book, it was clear to me that I'd done a good job on the first two P's (Prepare and Presence), but I had become complacent. I wasn't really growing professionally or personally and had been wondering why. Now I knew: it was because I was afraid to step out of my comfort zone.
Since then I've been concentrating on the "third P" by pushing myself in many new directions. For example, a HUGE "push" for me was that I recently took a series of Improv classes. I focused on many of the "push" behaviors Kahnweiler describes: share the limelight, get creative, get involved, appreciate the value of humor, take the floor, and most importantly, SPEAK UP! You know what happened during that class? I HAD A BLAST! It's an experience I would have never had if I hadn't decided to push myself.
There is some excellent introvert info in here, but you have to mine it out. About half way through the book I thought of giving up, but I couldn't do that, so I finished and I'm glad I did to see the whole package.
There's a lot of general leadership/management advice in here that isn't directly and distinctly for introverts. Still good advice, just not precise.
So, it's an okay read. I won't recommend it, but I will use some of its material for my life and my leadership techniques.
One of the ways that the reader discovers that an introvert can be a leader is by using the 4 P’s Process: Preparation, Presence, Push, and Practice. (Read my entire review at: [...]
Top reviews from other countries
This book is truly an accolade to the introverted person. We are among good stock like Bill Gates and Warren Buffet.
Jennifer helps us to navigate our discomfort zone of networking and leadership and explains her 4 P Process:
Prepare, Presence, Push and Practice.
She explains that it is imperative for us to know ourselves, build in motivation such as training and see the big picture.
I love her phrasing of ‘If you don’t schmooze you lose’.
This is so true and even as an introvert we can make an impact by knowing our purpose, planning what we need and have to offer,
ignoring our inner critics and saboteurs and using social networking.
As I read through the book I recognised myself so much so all of the tips and advice really resonated with me.
Groucho Marx said that 90 percent of success is just showing up so it’s time for us introverts to stand up and be counted
and get our voice in the room.
Thank you Jennifer for being our champion!