Who make better leaders, introverts or extroverts?

Who are better leaders? And what make them better leaders?  Effective leadership is a much discussed topic and there are many theories on what make good leaders better, and better leaders great? Some of these debates centred about the nature and nurture debate.

http://images.harpercollins.co.uk/hcwebimages/HCCOVERS/036600/036605-FC222.jpg

I believe it is both and the debate should not be about which is more deterministic of who we are but it should be about how we maximize our potential. Gene and Experience both play a part !  Likewise, there is also a debate about a particular personality trait that could be important:  Extroversion and Introversion and how these affects leadership styles, which in terms affect outcomes.

http://bloodinthedark.com/2012/04/self-discovery-im-a-shy-introvert/

So in general, are introverts or extroverts better leaders?


Firstly, I like to say that there is an inner self and there is a professional self. What do I mean?
I believe I am an introvert by nature. I love to think/reflect quite abit and spending time alone is essential for me to recharge. I don't particularly like to socialise and may seem passive in most environments.I also value deep relationship with a few. However, I have developed extroverted skills/behaviours/attitude.. In my job, I "became" alive and chatty and appear outgoing and often become animated. Similarly, I believe extroverts can also learn a "trick" or two from introverts about being introspective and to tone down when need be, example, when there is a need to listen more carefully and openly to others, especially if one is overly domineering/assertive, so much so that others are afraid to speak up/out.


So what is more important is to understand the essence of what introverts and extrovert do/behave and how it affects others. Some research has also shed like on what sort of leadership best suits what sort of followers.  


For example, Carmen Nobel asserts that introverts are the best leaders for proactive employees (see article link below) and have the following three points
"• Extraverted leaders can be a liability if the followers are extroverts, tending not to be receptive to employees who make suggestions and take initiative.
• Introverted leaders are more likely to listen to, process, and implement the ideas of an eager team.

• Leaders need to adapt their style depending on the type of group they are leading. With proactive employees, leaders need to be receptive to the team's ideas; with a more passive team leaders need to act more demonstratively and set a clear direction. "

Carmen Nobel

Introverts: The Best Leaders for Proactive Employees

http://hbswk.hbs.edu/pdf/item/6494.pdf

I considered my previous boss an introvert. I believe as the work environment didn't particularly suit him and his introversion played a part in his leaving eventually. He was a brilliant fellow with much to contribute but without a charismatic and outgoing personality in connecting with a more extroverted management, he eventually left in what I believe was a lack of recognition for his work.


What lessons can we learn from this short discussion? Well, for myself, I believe as an introvert, I should capitalize on my strengths (like empowering proactive employees by listen to them), as well as learn extroversion-related skills/behaviours (like being more assertive and sharing aloud my deeper level of thinking so that others can appreciate).


Ending off with a video about leadership in action : Getting off your butts, braving the rains, using your strengths, even if you are alone, believing that your example will galvanise others into action.. i.e. Leadership for Change ! 

Here are some follow-up articles about this topic on introverts and extroverts as leaders:-
Analyzing Effective Leaders: Why Extraverts Are Not Always the Most Successful Bosses
Are extroverts good leaders?
The Hidden Advantages of Quiet Bosses
Introverts: The Best Leaders for Proactive Employees

What is leadership?

A leader is someone who knows how to read his/her environment, signals the group for action, direct as well as participate in collective action !

What does "leadership" mean to me? I believe there are many kinds of leadership styles as well as many types of leaders. Leadership is basically a function of the interaction with a group, as well as its environment. Leadership can be formal, informal, structured and unstructured. 

I spent four years working in a school setting where the topic of leadership was much discussed. Can everyone be a leader? How do one develop leadership?  In fact, we discussed and suggested that there are 3 aspects to good leadership, namely

Purpose: A leader need to be purposeful and provide a compelling vision and mission. With a purpose that is noble and worthy, he/she can win the support of others.  But if the purpose is warped or self-serving, even if he/she can lead a group,community,nation, he/she is still not a "good" leader.

Competencies: A leader need have the skills and knowledge to fulfil his/her roles as a leader, be it emotional intelligence, communications skills, analytical skills, domain knowledge etc

Values: A leader need to have principled values, be it honesty, integrity, moral courage etc. Think Hilter and TT Durai (of NKF saga)

Any leader, if lacking in any of the 3 aspects, may still be an effective leader but may not be a good leader. e.g think a mafia boss who inspires his/her followers, who proved to be dedicated and loyal but his/her "purpose" is not noble.

Having said all these, I think the above discussion generally centred on individuals being a focus of leadership.  I also believe in group leadership i.e leadership evolve and is a function of the group, be it focus on an individual, a core committee or the entire group. This means that not only the person labelled as the leader can provide leadership for the group, each member of the group can also provide leadership for the group. E.g. He/She can influence and give inputs to discussion that can steer the group to a direction where effective leadership would have directed. I think this is called "leadership from the ground up"?

Leadership is needed for an effective team/group/community to pursue a particular cause or achieve a certain objective.  Leadership is needed in society and and if I can reflect and improve upon my leadership "skills", I can influence and direct/motivate/encourage/inspire any community I am part of.  For leadership to be sustainable, I think "transformational" leadership come into play.  If  the form of leadership that I exercise helps to facilitate the leaders in others around me, the group would overall becomes more effective.

I think leadership first begin with self-awareness including one's values, then develop abilities to be aware of the environment, including people, and then acquire competencies etc.  

First Post

This will be a blog about my journey in the Art of Leadership class.