Unpopular Truths About Leadership (#1)

One of the most persistent myths I hear — both in corporate boardrooms and coaching conversations — is this: “To be a strong leader, you have to be an extrovert.”

I’ve coached enough people to know that this simply isn’t true. In fact, some of the most powerful leaders I’ve worked with are the quietest in the room. They don’t dominate meetings. They don’t love the spotlight. And they’d much rather listen first than speak. And yet… their teams trust them deeply. Their decisions carry weight. They inspire not with volume, but with vision, consistency, and presence.

So where did this myth come from?

We’ve all grown up on a diet of charismatic CEOs, TED Talks, and larger-than-life personalities. There’ may have charisma — but we’ve confused talking more with leading better. The truth is, leadership is not about personality type. It’s about self-awareness, emotional intelligence, and the ability to connect with others in a way that moves things forward.

What introverted leaders do exceptionally well:

• They listen more than they speak — which helps people feel heard.

• They think before responding — bringing calm and clarity to chaotic situations.

• They amplify others — making space for talent to shine.

• They build trust — quietly, consistently, and authentically.
  

Harvard Business Review once reported that introverted leaders often deliver better outcomes with proactive teams — because they don’t need to steal the show. They let the team lead.

I’ve seen it firsthand.

In my coaching work, I’ve seen clients who thought they “weren’t leadership material” because they weren’t outgoing or charismatic. Over time, they started to embrace their natural strengths: thoughtfulness, empathy, insight. And their teams responded. Suddenly, people leaned in. Productivity rose. Culture improved. Not because they became louder. But because they became more themselves.

So here’s my challenge to you:

If you’ve ever believed that leadership requires extroversion, ask yourself:

What if your quiet nature is not a weakness — but your superpower?

The next generation of leadership is not about volume. It’s about presence, trust, and the ability to bring out the best in others.

And that? That starts with showing up as you.