There is a common perception that extroverts excel in networking and public speaking, which are often seen as essential skills for leaders in today's engineering and technology organisations. The business world has traditionally favoured extroverted traits, the success of introverted CEOs suggests a need to re-evaluate our understanding of effective leadership and the associated character traits.

Leadership skills are continuously evolving and depend significantly on the company and sector you are in. Factors such as organisational structure and company culture play a crucial role in shaping management approaches. If you are naturally more introverted, the idea of managing people might seem daunting, or you may feel you lack the necessary qualities. In engineering or technology roles, career progression often involves leading a team or an entire business.

Andy Raymond, Head of Redline Executive, has over 30 years of experience in recruiting senior management and technology and engineering leaders at the Board and Director levels. Andy is a licensed practitioner for Thomas International Personality and Intelligence Testing and an industry-trained Competency-Based Interview (CBI) practitioner. This has allowed him to meet, analyse, and profile numerous introverted and extroverted candidates.

Andy explains,

“Introvert and extrovert leaders learn differently, which can create challenges in the technology sector. Technical expertise is a distinct advantage for effective leadership in engineering and technology, but people, and communication skills are essential. Many associate leadership with perceived extrovert qualities. That vocal, high-energy stereotype is just one type of leader. The fact is, that good leadership comes in many shapes, sizes, and personality types. Businesses need both types of leaders.”

An Introvert’s Super Strengths

There are numerous introverted technology entrepreneurs and leaders, such as Elon Musk, Bill Gates, founder of Microsoft, Larry Page ex-Google CEO and Mark Zuckerberg, Facebook's CEO. What characteristics helped these leaders succeed in leading some of the world's most successful technology companies?

• Introverts are cautious: Unlike their extroverted counterparts who are more prone to risk-taking, introverts approach decisions more carefully. Extrovert leaders in the technology industry might say, “Let’s just do it!” when making business decisions, while introvert leaders prefer to question if it is the right decision. This predisposition can lead to impactful business decisions.
• Introverts learn by listening: Amidst a culture of noise, silence is still golden. Introverts listen intently to others and absorb what is said before responding. They do not think about their response while the other person is speaking. This characteristic is valuable for today's leaders. An anecdote often shared is ‘the way to get information out of an extrovert is to be quiet and let them speak on to fill the silence.’ This does not work as well on introverts.
• Introverts demonstrate humility: Introverts tend to have an accurate sense of their abilities and achievements. Humility involves acknowledging mistakes, skills gaps, imperfections, and limitations, which are crucial attributes for leadership roles. Being self-effacing indicates a leader is open to innovative ideas and contradictory information.
• Introverts can control uncertainty: Introverts have lower sensitivity to external rewards than extroverts. They can work with limited information and resist self-defeating forces. This ability to find solutions not initially apparent is highly sought after by today's engineering and technology leaders.
• Introverts can work independently: Introverts are comfortable working alone and prefer isolation, which allows for greater focus. Steve Wozniak, co-founder of Apple, said in his autobiography, iWoz, “Most inventors and engineers I have met are like me, they are shy, and they live in their heads. They work best when they are alone and can control an invention’s design. I’m going to give you some advice that might be hard to take, work alone. You are going to be able to design revolutionary products and features.” Leveraging your personality strengths to lead your business is possible regardless of where you fall on the introvert-extrovert spectrum.
• Introverts thrive online: While open-floor offices and team projects may be where extroverts shine, an introvert’s professional paradise includes a laptop and an empty room. For many introverts, the Internet is the solution to a lifetime of wanting to share ideas and thoughts with others. This gives them an edge over extroverts who may not be as comfortable navigating the Internet solo for longer periods of time. Contrary to their counterparts, introverts can lead a team, whip up a report, article, assignment, or project, or read and share those of others, all in the quiet comfort of their bedroom.

Recent Insights and Trends:

The current era has been described as the ‘Golden Era for Extroverts’ by some publications. The advancements in tech, especially in professional work have evened out the playing field in leadership. While extroverts have long been hailed for their command over a board room, introverts can now hold their own in TEAMS/Zoom meeting rooms; making sure their voice is heard, while also having the comfort and protection of a screen in between them and the rest of the world; allowing them to switch off and recharge when required. This empathy and a propensity toward more thoughtful communication makes introverts shine.

Recent research and trends highlight the growing importance of diverse leadership styles, including those of introverts, in the technology and engineering sectors:

1. Remote Work and Hybrid Models: The rise of remote work and hybrid models, accelerated since the pandemic, have shifted the leadership landscape. Introverted leaders often excel in remote environments where they can leverage their strengths in deep thinking, written communication, and one-on-one interactions without the constant social pressures of a traditional office.

1. Mental Health and Well-being: There is a growing emphasis on mental health and well-being in the workplace. Introverted leaders are often more attuned to these issues, demonstrating empathy and understanding, which can lead to healthier work environments and improved employee satisfaction.

1. Inclusive Leadership: Companies are increasingly valuing inclusive leadership that embraces different personality types and working styles. Introverted leaders contribute to a more balanced and reflective decision-making process, fostering innovation and diverse perspectives.

1. Tech Giants and Introverted Leaders: Beyond Bill Gates and Mark Zuckerberg, other introverted leaders like Sundar Pichai, CEO of Alphabet Inc., have shown that introverted traits such as thoughtfulness, strategic planning, and calmness under pressure are invaluable in leading some of the world's largest tech and engineering companies.

While extroversion may still be the stick leaders are measured against, the digital age has empowered the quieter half of the population and created new power players by facilitating their unique strengths.

Connect with redline executive

At Redline Executive we enable high-technology and electronics companies to build world-class teams, providing exceptional talent to generate shareholder value. We understand the differing talent needs. where success requires being in tune with the marketplace both within the UK and the wider global market.

If you are currently seeking additional talent or would like to conduct confidential research or a market map of your sector, please contact Andy Raymond Director at Redline Executive for a confidential and informative chat or email ARaymond@RedlineExecutive.com or call 01582 878907.