Jessica Higgins* says introverted women may think they face an extra challenge in achieving leadership roles, but the main obstacle is perception.
Photo: Koldunova Anna
Women earning leadership positions seems nearly impossible.
If you add the word introvert to it as well, it may seem like your chances of becoming a leader are pretty bleak.
However, I’m a woman, and I’m an introvert.
Yet, I like to believe that I’m a leader, having been an entrepreneur and in executive positions for six years.
If you think about what a leader should be, it’s not so far off from a female introvert.
A leader should be thoughtful, strategic and inspire others.
A leader should make sound decisions with quick reaction times, and a leader should be accountable and responsible for the team.
If you make a list of the actual leadership skills you want to have in your leadership roles, you soon discover that introvert and female really don’t matter.
The issue is the perception.
You think of The Wolf of Wall Street or some similar version.
Our mental bias instantly goes to the extroverted man.
I would argue that those folks may, or may not, have the skills you need.
If you recognise your own biases when hiring and promoting, it will greatly help you find someone most qualified, and leadership is too important a role not to carefully consider.
If you are an introverted female reading this, who aspires to gain a leadership role, I urge you to grow in your strongest areas and continuously capitalise on your strengths.
Make lateral moves across the organisation and develop a holistic knowledge of your industry.
This will give you more informed decision-making capabilities, which is a tough type of value to find from anyone inside an organisation.
What you cannot do is wait to be noticed.
Introverts, and women, both suffer from this fate.
You don’t have to grab the mic and yell to get the attention of the boardroom.
Show value, consistently, and to the right people.
If the value you bring is worthwhile, that should be your magic formula.
And if it isn’t, ask yourself how many other women leaders there are in your organisation.
If institutional sexism is the problem, it may be time for you to find your path elsewhere.
As women, our only way of succeeding is to find people who we aspire to be and build the type of relationships where we level each other up.
We need to be strong and keep our heads up.
Not so long ago, women couldn’t vote.
It’s my hope that this idea of women as a minority group in business will soon be a remnant of the past.
* Jessica Higgins is a researcher, consultant and marketing communications professional.
This article first appeared at lionessmagazine.com.
