Giving a singular voice to a group of people is hard work. Finding the little things that make people tick and motivating them toward a common goal is equally difficult. Those are big leadership challenges.
If you're an introvert with big ideas, you must be up to the task. Your natural, introverted skills will propel you and your team forward, but you'll also struggle with some fundamental challenges that keep you from stepping into a leadership role in the first place.
We're always on the lookout for new research and ideas to help you capitalize on your natural strengths and succeed as an introverted leader.
Recently, we asked our readers, "What's the #1 thing that holds you back from taking on more leadership roles?" From the hundreds of responses, we were able to categorize them into five primary roadblocks:
- Self-doubt. You're unsure of your own leadership skills.
- Trouble being perceived as a leader. You may be confident, but others don't see you as their leader.
- A lack of leadership skills. You know you don't have the skills you need, and you're not sure how to get them.
- Feeling inauthentic. You hesitate to lead because it doesn't feel natural.
- No time / energy to lead. You're already doing too much and you're too tired to take on the responsibility.
If any of those answers sound familiar to you, then keep reading. We've assembled a complete guide to recognizing and fixing each of these roadblocks to leadership in yourself.
The world needs more introverted leaders, and you can become one of them--quietly affecting the lives of those around you for the better.