Four tips for managers who are introverts

The traditional image of a manager is one of an extrovert who loves talking to everybody and has no problem applying their authority in daily communication with colleagues and subordinates. However, in practice, an introvert can also be a manager as this character trait does not prevent them being a good leader: on the contrary, the introvert's approach has many advantages, providing the manager knows how to use them. Here are four tips for managers who tend to be introverted.

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Do not fight against your personality type

As BMM Magazine states, you cannot change the essence of who you are. Do not try to be someone you are not; accept the fact you are an introvert. There is nothing wrong with that; on the contrary, if you tried to come across at all costs as an extrovert, you would lose your authenticity, which would definitely have a negative impact.

Maintain valuable relationships with individual subordinates

Introverts often have a unique ability to empathise better with people they are talking to; they can easily get on the same wavelength and have more valuable and deeper relationships with them. If this is also your case, use this trait to cement individual relationships with subordinates and communicate more on the individual than group level.

Let others talk more

If not every unexpected interaction is pleasurable to you, there is a simple solution: let others talk more. What people most like about conversations is if someone is listening to them. Thus you too can become a successful, spontaneous communicator if you simply stay silent more and let others talk.

Set up clear and objective rules

If it would go against your personality constantly to display your authority, argue with your team and resolve conflicts among them, set up a clear and transparent system of rules which will be so easy to understand that it will replace such communication between you and your subordinates.

 

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Article source Business Matters - website of a leading British magazine for small and medium sized companies
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