- Adrian Malpass
- Cheltenham, Gloucestershire
- United Kingdom
Business Developer (Emotionally Intelligent), The Experience Group
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Do introverts make better leaders?
Part of what I do is involved in developing emotionally intelligent businesses, leaders and teams.
Having recently seen Susan Cain's video on TED.com on 'The Power of Introverts' and listened to her in a recent radio interview here in the UK, I am increasingly finding my mind occupied by wondering about any link between being an introvert and being a successful leader.
My experience tells me that introverts quite possibly, or even probably, make better leaders than 'extroverts'.
What are your thoughts?
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Eun A Jo 10+
On top of everything that has been said so far, I think there is also a great cultural element in determining what characteristic - extroversion or introversion - works better for a leader.
For instance, in China where the societal norm is largely shaped by Confucianism, people are still inclined to think that there is an invisible demarcation between the ruling class and the ruled. In this context, a leader that is more charismatic and can speak his mind with determination and confidence is probably more appealing than a leader that is rather introverted.
Of course, this is a very limited view; however, I do think that the underlying cultural development plays a role.