In a world often controlled by extroverts, introverts can leverage their intellect and influence by becoming thought leaders.
For introverts, becoming an introverted thought leader or go-to person is the ultimate opportunity for impacting the direction of a company, business, and the world.
Extroverted thought leaders tend to shout their expertise from the rooftops. However, introverted thought leaders exhibit quiet influence.
It takes a wise and determined introvert to pull off quiet influence, which may be antithetical to the hardwiring of many introverts.
A lot of introverts are comfortable keeping their ideas and insights to themselves.
Unfortunately, such thinking does more harm than good.
In a cold and callous society, introverts feel the pain of incivility and intellectual degradation at a deeper, more emotional level.
So, when they fail to use their intellectual superpowers for the greater good, they let down society and let themselves down.
Contrary to popular belief, introverts desire power and influence just like anyone else.
Their aspirations, motivation, and modes of execution may differ. Still, the goal of influencing the direction of the world is the same.
Introverted thought leadership is a strategic maneuver for introverts to use their quiet voices to reform the world in their image.
And it doesn’t require the absurdity and outlandishness demonstrated by many extroverts.
A staff writer for Abounding Solutions said:
Thought leadership takes the written word and turns it into an authority brand. It’s about presenting information, thinking differently, and offering your perspective on a topic within your expertise.
It is a great way to demonstrate that you are a subject matter expert, keep yourself up to date with market trends, and have good insight.
Quiz: Can You Be an Introverted Thought Leader?
Many think that leadership is about shouting from the rooftops, but you don’t need to be loud to stand out as a leader, but you do need to have presence… (para. 9).
Introverted thought leader and marketer Seth Godin determined from the outset to deactivate the comment settings on his blog. In past interviews, Godin said that he wanted to express authentic insights and ideas without the propensity to be influenced by comments on his blog, which might have swayed his opinions.
Today, many online marketers would caution against shutting off comments in a quest to be more sociable.
However, in the age of social media, perhaps the social aspect has gone too far.
Scholars are tasked with the responsibility of building new research out of previous studies. Data collection, fact-checking, and analysis do not lend themselves to merely getting “likes” and “shares” online. Research purists seek the truth and spend countless hours turning over rocks to uncover what is necessary to explain social phenomena.
Such a conceptual framework is in the wheelhouse of introverts who are most inclined to spend a great deal of time researching, evaluating, and synthesizing information.
Social media is an excellent conduit for introverted thought leaders because social media allows the best ideas to germinate and flourish to the groups most susceptible to innovate and revolutionize products and services.
Author Jennifer Kahnweiler said:
Introverts have been drawn to social media because it lets them use their strengths and better manage their communication. Quiet influencers, who have already invested in learning and using social media, are poised to affect tomorrow’s change more quickly than influencers who have ignored these technologies.
Today is the best time in the annals of history to wield quiet influence. Whether you opt to be an anonymous puppet master or the unseen power behind the throne, your impact can be felt even if it’s not seen.
Invariably, someone will seize power and influence the direction of the world; why not let it be introverts?
—Ralph Chamberlain
References
Abounding Solutions (n.d.). How thought leadership can help introverted leaders to be more visible. Retrieved from: https://bit.ly/3bwSAj1.
Kahnweiler, J. (2013, April 24). 6 advantages of being an introvert. American Express. Retrieved from: https://amex.co/3nNJGDr.