The Introverted Leader: Building on Your Quiet Strength By Jennifer B. Kahnweiler
Publisher: Berrett-Koehler Publishers 2009-06-01 | 192 Pages | ISBN: 1576755770 | PDF | 1.2 MB



Product Description In our outgoing, type A business culture,introverts can feel excluded, overlooked, or misunderstood, theirreticence mistaken for reluctance, arrogance, or even lack ofintelligence. But Jennifer Kahnweiler shows that not only canintroversion be managed, it can even be a source of strength. Ask BillGates and Warren Buffett, two of the leaders she cites as shyintrospectives who have developed ways to thrive in a challengingenvironment.
It is estimated that as many as 40 percent of executives areintroverted to at least some extent. Based on conversations with over100 of these men and women, Kahnweiler lays out a progressive four-stepstrategy for succeeding in an extroverted world. First, preparation:carefully devise a game plan for any potentially anxiety producingsituation. Then presence: knowing that you’re prepared, be completelyfocused on the present moment or activity. Next, push: with a firmfoundation of preparation and presence, go beyond your comfort zone.And finally, practice, practice, practice.

After a revealing Introverted Leader Quiz to help you deepen yourunderstanding of where focused improvement will produce maximumresults, Kahnweiler shows exactly how to apply the four Ps approach insix areas that are particularly difficult for introverts, such aspublic speaking, heading up projects, participating in meetings, andmore. The goal, she emphasizes, is not personality change – you workwith who you are, not against it. In fact, she shows that introversioncan actually be a plus in areas like listening skills and writtencommunication. But as a result of reading this book, leaders andaspiring leaders who find it intimidating to be around people willlearn to embrace the experience, rather than see it as something to beavoided or endured and as a result advance their careers and contributemore fully to their organizations.