Shy People as Leaders

I like this report on introverts in the executive suites.

We've seen these studies before revealing a sizable number of introverts in leadership positions and yet the general image is that leaders are charismatic extroverts.

I believe that the confusion comes more from a misunderstanding of shyness than a misunderstanding of leadership. Shyness comes in degrees. Some individuals who are naturally shy can behave like an extrovert when they have to do so. Johnny Carson was a great example of a shy person in an extrovert's job.

The other factor, of course, is that leadership is multifaceted. It is poetry, not prose. An introverted person with character and competence may be a far more appealing person than an extrovert with gaps in those qualities.

[HT: BusinessPundit ]