In the business world there is a common misconception that you need to be assertive and loud. You have to be assertive and work hard to get what you want.
Quiet employees tend to be more successful and are better leaders.
What is the cause of this?
1. Listening to introverts is better than speaking
Introverts are better listeners when they are in charge of a group.
Those who are extroverted tend to speak a lot more than their employees and don’t really care what they say. Introverts prefer inclusive management and are more open-minded.
2. Introverts are more humble.
Leaders who excel at “servant Leadership” put their employees’ needs first and do everything they can to serve them.
According to Research on servant leadership traits like humility are more common in introverts.
3. Introverts’ creative side
Quieter employees reflect more and take the time to think about what is happening.
This reflection will help to make you more creative and better at making decisions.
Extroverts are more aggressive when it comes to making a decision.
4. Introverts form deeper connections
Introverts prefer deeper connections, so employee engagement is important for them.
The leader will be in a position to connect with his team at a personal level.
The connections that extroverts form are less meaningful.
5. Introverts tend to be more self-aware
Self-awareness will help you become a leader who has emotional intelligence.
This self-awareness enables them to listen carefully, identify social cues and understand information.
They are able to spend time alone to process the information.
If you haven’t seen it yet, watch Susan Cain’s TED Talk on introverts.
I am an introvert who often wonders if I am perceived to be less good than I really am.
Does it mean I have a bad temper when I’m quiet at a meeting or conference? Does this mean that I am not interested in the topic?
No.
Sometimes I think that people in my meeting notice I am not interested or focused, but this isn’t true.
Just digesting information
Managers can miss out on an opportunity if they do not fully understand introverts, and quiet employees. They should adjust how they manage them.
It’s important for your employees, your culture and your business.
Want to be a more effective manager? Try our email course and become the leader your employees will admire.
How to deal with quiet employees
As a manager, you’ll need to adapt your management style for different personality types.
Here are a few ideas to help you manage your quiet employees better.
1. Do not assume
The best advice that I can give to you is not to assume anything.
As I mentioned earlier, do not assume they are in bad spirits.
It could be they are analyzing information or thinking about something. It is possible they are the most engaged member of your group.
2. Do not just appear at the desk
You should respect the fact that some people prefer to communicate by email or chat.
You will not get a positive response if they are surprised or if you just show up. They should think and consider what they’re going to say.
Give them time and space to think.
3. One-on one sessions are a great tool to improve communication
One-on one meetings are the most effective way to get feedback and ideas from your quieter employees.
They will feel comfortable in a calm and peaceful environment.
Send the agenda at least 24 hrs in advance to give them enough time to prepare.
4. Next day, you can ask them for their opinion
Wait until after the meeting or discussion to ask for their opinions. They need to have time to digest and process information before they can formulate intelligent responses.
After giving them time to reflect, ask for their feedback.
You can also ask for their opinion by using their preferred method of communication.
You can wait an hour before sending them an email or a chat message asking their opinion.
5. Provide a quiet area for them to work.
Quiet individuals prefer to work in quiet environments.
You should create an environment that is calm for them so that they can do their very best work. If the office is too loud, you might consider allowing your employees to work from home one or two days a week.
6. Do not ignore them
You should be aware of quiet employees and introverts.
What about the time a company uses words such “outgoing”, when it is recruiting? These people are well worth catching.
Remember that Bill Gates as well as Albert Einstein were introverts. Steve Wozniak, too, is an introvert.
7. Keep them in mind
It will help you deal with different types employees.
You need to be aware of the fact that quiet employees can be perceived as shy, unhappy, and not “into” certain things. Be patient and mindful when dealing with them.
Give them a chance. They will have great ideas.