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While we’re on the topic of teacher disrespect: https://forward.com/life/162899/what-s-with-all-the-teacher-hate/?gamp “Teachers had opted out of the capitalist game; they weren’t in this world for money. There could be only one reason for that: they were losers. They were dimwitted, unambitious, complacent, unimaginative, and risk-averse. They were middle class.”
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No. That's my answer, it's not an either / or question. Do I think "introvert or extroverts" make better CEOs? No, I don't think being introverted nor extroverted has anything to do with it.
I've been asked, “how do I become a better CEO as an introvert?”
And it’s a surprisingly common topic hinting that many are questioning if their introverted nature is handicapping them as a founder, leader, executive, or that CEO.
At first blush, a thought to appreciate is Confirmation Bias OR Perception Bias.
Confirmation Bias is a VERY important tendency for entrepreneurs to appreciate: The tendency to interpret new evidence as confirmation of one’s existing beliefs or theories.
‘Introverts aren’t great leaders’ Look at my own experience struggling… look at all these articles about introverts struggling… it must be true.
Perception Bias is a similar tendency. Rather than seeking and favoring evidence that affirms our beliefs, perception bias is reaching those beliefs only by way of a limited worldview. Rather than seeing evidence that confirms it, we conclude it because of what we already know.
And it’s those two tendencies that I want to share so as to challenge your beliefs because it’s entirely likely that our perception is biased by extroverted entrepreneurs being more visible simply by their nature of being extroverted.
Still, How MIGHT one Become a Better CEO as an Introvert?
I’ve read far too many articles on this topic, which suggest that the answer lies in becoming more extroverted. “Learn public speaking!” Come to mind as frequent advice.
There is NOTHING about being a social butterfly that determines that one is a better CEO or not.
Some of the top introverted CEOs include Marissa Mayer, Mark Zuckerberg, Warren Buffett, and Bill Gates.
https://seobrien.com/the-introverted-entrepreneur
Maybe unpopular, I think we need to stop looking/labeling people as introverts and extroverts (aka MBTI). Rather is a CEO focused on the business (vs in the business), are they empathetic to people so they truly can motivate and help them grow. I have see extrovert CEOs that come off as arrogant and aggressive because they lack empathy - but I have also seen ones with empathy who are really productive for the business. And similarly I've seen its own cast in introverted CEOs. But I get it maybe I'm suggesting a different label too.
I really like Kolbe A because it stays away from labels of MBTI and looks at how people take action - and a CEO is part of a collective team and the collective team needs different ingredients that the Koble A helps you identify. Some of the best CEO's I've worked with are judged as being "good or great" based on how they take action in good and bad times.
Just a point of view.
Yes.
I do not think it matters. I think DISC/Meyers-Briggs/OCEAN testing gets too much play. A CEO that can establish a shared purpose is key regardless of vert.
Both introverts and extroverts can make great CEOs. Introverts may be better at listening and taking in information, while extroverts may be better at networking and public speaking.