Successful Introverted CEOs

As a new CEO, your employees expect you tolot of their time alone, they are among the most
be an extrovert with an outgoing, gregariouscreative individuals in business. Introverts, who are
personality. Most people have the perception of ahighly effective in completing tasks, can usually
successful CEO as being an extrovert. But, inget away with saying little, but when they do
reality, you are a successful introvert who hasspeak, it is meaningful.
mastered the ability to act like an extrovert.Introverts are also considered self-sufficient,
There are many ingredients to success and manyconfident, hardworking, having firm goals,
entrepreneurs who are introverts have their ownreserved, being educated to overcompensate for
challenges to deal with when it comes to businessthe lack of social skills, and being Rhodes Scholars.
success. Introverts typically find several traditionalAmong people with PhDs, there are three
situations too exhausting and draining.introverts to every one extrovert.
According to research, about 70 percent of CEO'sOn the other hand, extroverts typically have lots
describe themselves as "introverts". The list ofof friends; feel drained when they are bored and
well-known "Who's Who" of corporate introvertedalone; are energized when they are with other
CEOs includes: Bill Gates, Warren Buffet, moviepeople; are motivated to action; tend to be
magnate Steven Spielberg, and Sara Lee's Brendasociable with others, talkative, and assertive;
Barnes. Introverts make up 40 percent of theprefer face-to-face verbal communication rather
population. Considered as introverts, these CEO's,than written communication; are ready to share
at times, are able to move far enough towardspersonal information easily to others; and respond
"extrovert status" to be considered ambiverts.to situations quickly. Jonathan Rauch, a
Ambiverts are those who fall in the middleself-proclaimed introverted correspondent for The
between extroverts and introverts. At times,Atlantic and a senior writer for National Journal,
they can function well in many different situations.wrote a short article on introverted CEO's that
Thriving in corporate America as a shystates: "Leave an extrovert alone for two
introverted executive, you may find yourselfminutes and s/he will reach for his/her cell phone."
moving up the corporate ladder in yourRauch also said that "In contrast, introverts need
organization. Take into consideration theto turn off and recharge."
characteristics possessed by introverts. IntrovertsIntroverts are among the most successful people
value privacy, need quiet time alone to recharge,in the world. As an introvert, you need to find
feel more comfortable being alone than being withyour own ingredients to success. For as an
others, prefer to know a few people well (this fitsintrovert, while you may not appear as if you
for many CEOs who are "lonely at the top" andhave mastered the ability to act like an extrovert,
confide in a small circle of friends), like to workyou have the ability to demonstrate that you can
independently or with one or two other people,be just as successful as other people. Introverts
prefer to focus on one thing at a time,have to train themselves well enough to work
communicate best one-to-one, and prefer tothrough their reserved characteristics and know
communicate in writing instead of through talking.what they want to do with their career. As an
Before speaking, introverts think first then act onintroverted entrepreneur, you have a lot to offer
what they think about. They prefer listening morethe business world, but you still prefer to grab as
than talking, rehearse things before saying them,little of the spotlight as possible. Donot let being an
and are perceived as "great listeners".introvert stop you from reaching your goals
One common trait of highly successful executives− you have the ability and skills to get the
is that of being creative. Since introverts spend ajob done!