Last updated on August 21st, 2018

Forbes Coaches Council Top coaches offer insights on leadership development & careers.

There are two common misconceptions that come up over and over again in leadership conversations. One is that the best leaders are naturally extroverted. The other is that introverts are weaker leaders because they “don’t like people.”

While it’s true that introverts love their alone time, they’re not necessarily averse to social situations: It simply means they need some space to recharge after being around people. This can be a tricky balance when you’re an introvert in a leadership position, when much of your time is spent attending meetings and strategizing with your team members. But rest assured that introverted leaders can be just as effective as extroverted ones when they set clear boundaries and expectations, and leverage their natural strengths.

Nine members of Forbes Coaches Council explained how introverts can set themselves up for leadership success.

Dr. Allen’s Contribution:  Clearly Communicate Your Decision-Making And Leadership Styles 

In my experience as a coach, introverted leaders have sometimes been misunderstood and viewed as not collaborative or preferring to make decisions on their own. This is not true — introverted leaders simply need time alone to reflect. Let team members and direct reports know that you value their input, but will need time to reflect on the information you receive before making a decision. – Read all responses here