Successful leadership is associated with traits of extroversion such as being talkative, outspoken, and directive.  Yet new research challenges this popular belief.  Francesca Gino of Harvard University and her colleagues conducted research where they found that introverted managers are better leaders when employees are proactive as their style of leadership is receptive and open. Introverts listen to employee input more and often build on and implement their ideas. In the same circumstances, extroverted leaders can feel threatened by more outspoken followers and interpret this as a question to their authority. On the other hand extroverted managers are more successful when employees are passive or lack motivation since their dynamic and directive style can motivate these employees.

Given this finding on the effectiveness of introverted leadership with proactive employees we need to modernize our image and definition of successful leaders to include listening, being open and receptive to ideas generated by your team.  Looking back on  my own professional experience I can say that I thrived when working for introverted leaders.  More on this topic tomorrow.