In a world clamoring for attention and notoriety, strategic thinking introverts who fly under the radar are in the best position to attain great success and contribute immensely to a complex and problematic society.
In a world fraught with irrational behavior, quiet and stealthy maneuvers are the best way to operate above the fray.
Innovation and transformation are strategic thinking introverts’ best strategies for dominating industries and leading the narrative for rationalization. Now is the time for these introverts to usher in a new Age of Reason.
Contrary to the notion that living out loud is a reclamation of individual freedom and independence, it hamstrings personal and professional growth. Loudness demonstrates insecurity and a need to be noticed. Once your overt insecurities are recognized, watchful eyes can easily control you.
Because the internet and social media are permanent footprints in the proliferation of texts and images, image management has to be premeditated to affect an overarching purpose.
All writings and images must be directed to a perpetual campaign of consistent messaging to gain the desired outcome. This is not unlike a political campaign but is more reminiscent of a religious crusade.
Messaging has to be consistent and repetitive to pierce the subconscious of the general population.
An air of sophistication must be maintained contrary to rumbustious, over-the-top self-promotion.
Weber (2009) said: “Self-promotion can make you feel like you are a shark circling its dinner. The truth is, that style is quite long ago unappreciated. It is surprising how many people still go in circles with this. Self-promotion is not about being verbally diarrhea-like all over someone. Think of it as tooting your own horn in harmony.
If you toot your own horn, you tune into yourself; find that place where you connect with yourself and feel that confidence soar. Then, focus on your intention: what’s essential to them f you want to find a prospect, If you are applying for a job, what they need, and then – you toot in harmony with them.
For the introvert or shy, let your listening, natural curiosity, and planning strengths work in your favor. You’ll find you attract more people who want to meet with you if that is what you want” (para. 5).
Weber is referring to connecting to the self-interest of individuals. If people are only concerned about what’s in it for them, then strategic thinking introverts’ efforts have to solve compelling problems.
Problem solvers become dominant and indispensable because they cure society’s social and economic ills. You become dispensable when people can easily discard you because you lack practical value.
Campaigns, crusades, and missions become exceedingly difficult to achieve when satisfying a painful need are not at the center of your efforts. And during the Age of Technology, strategic thinking introverts do not need legions of followers; they could do it as solo actors.
Barclay (2020) postulated, “The thing that has struck me – at least at work – is that the acceleration of digital transformation in our firms has some advantages for introverts. Digital balances the social dynamic more towards those with useful knowledge – rather than those most interested in football” (para. 2).
Tobak (2011) reported, “Technology is less important to be physically present and stand up in front of a room and speak – something that introverts find the most challenging. The internet, email, virtual meetings, social networking, and distributed work environments have fundamentally changed the way leaders communicate with their employees, customers, and stakeholders…” “para. 8).
This is a boon for strategic thinking introverts because extroverts need to arouse the emotions of groups to satisfy emotional and purposeful objectives. Modern history has revealed that the onslaught of leadership and team-building initiatives has largely been unsuccessful in getting people to do what they ultimately do not want to do.
In other words, the need to be social and bring into line groups have failed because the insatiable desire to be liked and popular takes precedence over the need to be effective.
Strategic thinking introverts relish a strong desire to be effective.
Although strategic thinking introverts like Bill Gates, Larry Page, and Mark Zuckerberg are well-known, there is a great deal of room and opportunity for unknown strategic thinking introverts to make their intellectual mark on the world while staying under the radar.
What you may lack in coding and software creation abilities, you can make up for in content creation.
Thoughts, ideas, and insights influence the world. And logic can be emotional. If you read a profoundly insightful quote, listen to a pragmatic speech, or view savvy maneuvering tactics from afar, they all resonate with you emotionally.
In this vein, some individuals are moved by lowbrow stimulation, while highly cultured and educated people are driven by high intellectualism.
A few things you can do to begin quietly dominating your profession, industry, or society at large are as follows:
Don’t compete, monopolize
Billionaire investor and co-founder of PayPal, Peter Thiel, advocates for individuals to strive to become monopolistic rather than competitors. In his book, “Zero to One: Notes on Startups, or How to Build the Future.” “Thiel recommends starting small by tapping into an undeveloped and underserved market and expanding from there. For example, Amazon began selling books online before expanding into other ecosystems.
Strategic thinking introverts are best designed to diagnose problems and execute solutions because of their unnatural curiosity and long periods of introspection. As a content creator, identify problems that seem to have gone unresolved and undiscussed. Gradually, over time, create articles, blogs, and books that discuss the impact and solution to a problem.
Create scholarly works
Articles, blogs, and books have become conduits for individuals to rant and provide mere opinions as opposed to creating scholarly works. Any intellectual endeavor worthy of respect should entail sources and references as foundations for new ways of looking at old problems. Any new or innovative research should fill the gaps garnered from past exploration.
Additionally, lead with professional and advanced communication. In today’s celebrity industrial complex, people seem more concerned with fame and popularity over thought leadership and critical analysis. Strive to communicate and facilitate the needs of fellow intellectuals. Find and fellowship with like-minded individuals who aspire to be thoughtful, more profound thinkers.
Communicate to a global audience
Intellectual missions and crusades are no longer confined to any country’s shores. The internet allows you to speak to the world. As you write to specific audiences and personalities, remember that they exist throughout various cultures. Some media outlets would have you believe that intelligent and enlightened people occupy small numbers. However, they would be wrong because when you don’t entertain large blips on a radar, you are not easy to identify.
Your objective is not to communicate with everyone but only those who meet your intellectual criteria.
You are a “Strategic Introvert Whisperer,” in that the only tuned-in can hear your voice.
Like any targeted message, your communication should be crafted with specific people in mind.
Now is the time for strategic thinking introverts to flex their intellectual muscles. They must be the vanguard for developing and nurturing compelling ideas that solve critical problems.
A new Age of Reason will raise the bar higher than the first Age of Enlightenment, or we will be relegated to revisiting the regressive Dark Ages.
—Chandler Woodruff
Related: Introverts Rule the World, or At Least Run It
References
Barclay, J. (2020, July 23). Introverts-your time has come….Passle. Retrieved from: https://bit.ly/3BEwI3z.
Tobak, S. (2011, Oct. 12). Introverted? It’s our time to shine. CBS News. Retrieved from: https://cbsn.ws/3vFfSxG.
Weber, P. (2009, Dec. 23). Introverts, our time has come to claim it. Patricia Weber. Retrieved from: https://bit.ly/3BIdmdV.