The typical image that comes to mind when someone says the word “introvert” is of a man or woman who’s shy, quiet, or a loner.
We often don’t think of them as having the social acumen required to climb the corporate ladder, start a successful business, or make billions of dollars. However, history tells us that introverts often make the best entrepreneurs.
Take Bill Gates, currently the wealthiest person on earth,
worth $79.2 billion and one of the most influential businessmen who has
ever lived. From an interview on the Huffington Post, writer Susan Cain
noted that, “Bill Gates is quiet and bookish, but apparently unfazed by others’ opinions of him: he’s an introvert, but not shy.”
Warren Buffett, one of the most successful investors ever,
is an introvert. J.K. Rowling, the author of the famed Harry Potter
series remembers being too shy to ask anyone for a pen to jot down her
ideas when she first came up with the concept for her book series while
sitting on a delayed train. The list goes on and on.
So what is it about introverts that makes them so great at business?
Let’s take a look at some of the traits that introverts typically have, that give them a leg up in the business world.
1. They Want to Create, and Not Be the Center of Attention.
For starters, introverts are often very passionate about their ideas and creating something new.
They aren’t all about gaining power and they don’t crave glorification, Cain explained to the Wall Street Journal. She says, “By
their nature, introverts tend to get passionate about one, two or three
things in their life… and in the service of their passion for an idea,
they will go out and build alliances and networks and acquire expertise
and do whatever it takes to make it happen.”
2. They Think Before Making a Move.
Aside from focusing on their creations, introverts have the ability to sit in solitude for hours at a time and be alone.
This means that they have the space to calmly think
through the next moves for their business, instead of becoming
distracted with social interaction or other attractive short-term goals.
Extroverts need to be surrounded by people in order to thrive, which
doesn’t give them much of an opportunity to sit with their thoughts and
build a well-thought out plan.
3. They Listen to People.
Introverts are also better, in general, at listening to and empathizing with people, according to Fast Company.
These skills come in handy in business situations. When a
client, employee, or customer is upset, an introvert can be sensitive to
their needs. Instead of reacting quickly to an issue, introverts take
in the information, and then think critically about the best solution
possible.
When introverts are in charge, customers, employees, and
clients are more likely to be heard and able to get their issues solved.
4. They Take Others’ Ideas into Consideration.
Along with being great at listening, introverted
entrepreneurs are always looking for the best solutions, and are much
less likely to allow their egos cloud their judgement.
When trying to build a profitable business, it comes in
handy to have the most talented people on your side. Waylae Gregoire of
NextShark wrote that while extroverts want to promote their own business
plans, “introverts focus on the thoughts and actions of others.
As an entrepreneur, introverts are naturally accustomed to analyzing
the ideas of others, offering thoughtful feedback, and organizing what
others bring to the table.”
5. They Are Humble.
When you’re doing business, you must have people skills.
You must have the ability to flip situations around
and see situations from another person’s perspective. It’s also
imperative that you have the ability to remain humble when you make a mistake.
Introverts aren’t afraid to admit their failures. If you can say that
you were wrong about an issue, you’re going to demonstrate to clients,
employees, and customers that you’re human, and that you make errors
from time to time. Nobody wants to work with or under an entrepreneur
who doesn’t have the ability to see his or her own flaws.
If you’re an introverted entrepreneur, there is much hope
for you. Even if you’re not outgoing or perfectly comfortable in social
situations, you can still be a strong leader and achieve your goals by
pushing yourself to become comfortable with these situations. Just ask
Gates, Buffett, Rowling, or the countless other successful introverted
entrepreneurs out there.
Check out Master Your People Skills with Vanessa Van Edwards and learn how to become the most memorable person in the room, even as an introvert.
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