By Andy Johnson
I devote a major portion of my work to serving introverted leaders. It’s not uncommon for people to tell me that the phrase “introverted leaders” is an oxymoron. The cultural stereotypes in the U.S. are so strong that people feel quite comfortable making such ignorant statements. Though they would never make such statements about differences in gender, ethnicity, or sexual orientation, they feel empowered and comfortable stating this particular bias out loud.
Unfortunately, there is a measured impact of such thinking on those of us who are introverted and in leadership positions in our organizations. There are more of us than you may think: A few years ago, USA Today reported that 40 percent of CEOs in the U.S. are introverts. When it comes to other C-suite executives, I suspect the percentage is even higher.
Most leaders, introverts and extroverts alike, have been fed a fairly steady diet of extroversion as synonymous with leadership. We have equated leadership with traits such as gregariousness, charisma, optimism, aggressiveness, drive, and competitiveness (a.k.a. extroversion). To rise to the top, many of us introverted leaders find ourselves abandoning our natural strengths in favor of the desired characteristics of a charismatic leader. The problem is that it’s exhausting to pretend to be someone you are not day after day, especially for an introvert.
This is where authenticity comes in. It pays, extrinsically speaking, to be authentic. Authenticity is the opposite of shame.
The lie detector, the invention of William Moulton Marston, is based on the fact that people are wired for authenticity. It detects symptoms in the body of lying or inauthenticity, ranging from an elevated pulse to higher blood pressure, to increased perspiration. The point? Lying to ourselves or to others affects the body and has deleterious effects over time. The stress of trying to be someone else is similar. It can be connected to all sorts of negative consequences including higher stress levels, elevated blood pressure, illness, lowered creativity, and disingenuous relationships.
Not only is inauthenticity physically unhealthy, but lying to ourselves and to others takes a toll on the organization as well. When we introverts present as extroverts, we are robbing our companies and our teams of the innate talents we possess. In addition, we are falsely skewing the number of introverted leaders in the workplace and sending the message that introversion is not OK.
Authenticity is the antidote. Introverted leaders in an extroverted world can begin to take our authenticity back. It begins with education. When we expose the cultural myths and stereotypes about introversion, we can begin to change our view of ourselves.
Here are three ways to practice authenticity as an introvert at work:
Counter myths with accurate information.
So many of the myths contained in popular stereotypes are based on grossly inaccurate information. Educate yourself about the physiological realities of introversion. Identify natural strengths. Look to great historical leaders who were introverted as examples.
Stop faking it.
Resist the urge to conform to the extroverted stereotype around you. Knowing that faking it Is costly to your health and well being, stop the charade. Refuse to be forced into an extroverted mold.
Be comfortable in your own skin.
Get comfortable seeing yourself as an introvert, and understanding the strengths and limitations that go along with that. Get comfortable explaining how it’s different for you. Don’t let them push you around or make you feel inadequate.
Celebrate your authentic self. The truth about who you are, as well as your natural leadership gifts and strengths, begins to emerge as you move toward authenticity. Your company will benefit from your increased confidence and creativity. Those you lead will benefit from your increased transparency and honesty. You benefit from increased health, reduced levels of stress, and ever-increasing levels of authenticity. Inauthenticity may be silently killing you. Today is the day to change your mind about yourself.
Andy Johnson is a coach to yin leaders and teams, as well as an advocate for the introvert community. He is a licensed counselor, and the author of three books, the most recent, Introvert Revolution: Leading Authentically in a World That Says You Can’t.
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