Before you start questioning this, hear me out. I know that when you think of the leaders of the multi-million dollar companies, you’re definitely not picturing the average introvert. The leaders we are accustomed to seeing are charismatic, easy to approach, friendly and talkative. But luckily, and thankfully, the work world is changing to open entrepreneurial doors for those of us that prefer solitude, work independently, and keep to ourselves.

Here are a few reasons why introverts are starting to be the leaders the work world is looking for:

1.    Introverts know when to stop talking

Sometimes, getting a word in with a rambunctious, energetic team leader is difficult and can make you shy about your ideas or suggestions. Introverts are naturally quiet, and are known to think before they speak, so having a leader who knows when to stop talking can be pivotal in creating a successful open discussion in team meetings.

2.    Introverts can play both sides

An introvert doesn’t walk around with a T Shirt announcing their personality type to the world. Often, introverts are able to conjure some similar characteristics of extroverts, allowing them to be both outgoing and reserved. This ability helps them to appear warm and welcoming; instead of having the average shy and reserved persona to generally turns people away.

3.    They aren’t looking for the popular people

This doesn’t mean that they’ll shun people in the business with mighty reputations, but instead, means they’re more willing to give everyone a chance. Introverts are methodical and know that the best talent may not always be the most popular, so they’ll pay attention to all the details when it comes to hiring people for their team.

4.    They appreciate relationships

Introverts prefer keeping a close-knit group of friends and family to surround themselves with. These strong but few relationships transfer well in the business world, allowing introvert entrepreneurs to build longstanding, effective relationships with employees and clients they connect with.  Having these relationships creates a close-knit work environment bound for success.

Don’t be afraid or turned off by a seemingly “uninterested” personality. Be open to the idea that not every great leader is loud and bursting with wise, exuberant pep talks. If you find yourself in a situation where your future employer identifies as an introvert, give it a chance – it might end up being one of the best partnerships you create!

© Zoe Begopoulos, DemGen Inc. 2014

This weekend I got the chance to check out the wonders of the naturally formed ice caves on Crystal Beach.  This cold winter allowed Lake Erie to freeze over completely, creating amazing ice caves in the process.

Although Crystal Beach is a bustling summer destination, this tends to be their off-season.  It was evident from the drive in that the city was not used to this level of activity.

The final stretch to the beach took 45 minutes, when it usually takes 15 or less because of all of the traffic.  I was curious to see how many seasonal businesses would be capitalizing on all of the new potential customers.

By the time we reached our destination, I desperately needed to ‘use the facilities’.  I found a restaurant and we vowed to return after we utilized sunlight hours.  (It was empty at the time…)

The ice caves were definitely cool, but there were too many people to get many good pictures.

On the way out, we noticed a gathering of firemen and police.  A snowmobile had also caught fire on the ice, so we figured that’s why they were there.  It turned out, shortly after we left they evacuated everyone because the ice had become unstable.

When we returned to the restaurant it was PACKED and the staff was completely overwhelmed.  We waited 10 minutes for them to notice us to bring us menus and clean our table.  We were then notified they had already sold out of many menu items.  (Apparently their wing special sold out in 26 minutes.)

The prior patrons who sat at our table left a 50¢ tip on a $50+ bill.  It was clear that although I understood the staff were simply inundated with sudden tourists, others didn’t feel the same empathy.

The experience really got me thinking about being prepared in business.  The best-laid plans in business can always be thrown off by too much business.  Some would say that’s not a bad problem to have, but it can backfire.

Although Crystal Beach is prepared for high-activity in the summer season, nature’s brilliance and the subsequent media coverage made the city completely lost when a huge influx of off-season opportunity arrived.

In business, it’s essential to have your future vision mapped out, as well as the systems and processes in place to allow you to scale.  We all want our businesses to flourish, but growing too quickly can lead to customer service issues or worse.

If your business became an ‘instant success’ (after 10 years), would you be prepared for all of the activity?

Update: They have decided to destroy the caves, thus ending the impromptu ‘second season’ for Crystal Beach.

© Tamara Smith, DemGen Inc. 2014

Image courtesy of theweathernetwork.com