Some of the most important leadership moments happen on the edges. On the edges where someone is paying attention without needing to be seen.
Extroverted leaders can often be blind to the strengths of their quieter coworkers. A high capacity and energetic style of leadership is needed, but often keeps them from noticing what’s going on under the surface.
Introverts process differently than extroverts. They observe and take in information inwardly first. Their lack of processing outloud does not mean they are disengaged. And they certainly aren’t passive.
They think in layers and are observing the system, asking what’s going on underneath and thinking about what might happen if the pattern continues. This makes them slower to respond.
While Highly Sensitive Persons may or may not be introverted, they feel and sense things on a deeper level. Their nervous systems are registering more and they have a heightened awareness of subtleties that others may miss.
They are literally processing more information from all their senses that others may not. They literally have to pull back to regulate their nervous system. They aren’t trying to avoid, but trying to process and function without going into sensory overload. They aren’t absent, but strategic.
Both can be quietly powerful leaders. An introvert who is also a highly sensitive person? They don’t just notice what is happening. They notice the subtle warning signs others can’t see.
They process deeply and quietly with a discernment that sees the long-term. They are deep listeners and observers. They often have the pulse on the cultural health of a team that others are blind to. They hear and sense what’s underneath and can observe complexities.
But when leadership rewards constant motion, introverts and highly sensitives can start to feel invisible. The louder voices in the room keep them them from speaking up. They often don’t feel like their voices are valued.
But invisibility isn’t the same as irrelevance.
What they observe, and yes, even sense, is often missed by the louder voices in the room. And yet, it is incredibly needed.
This week on The Stressed Out Leader, my conversation is with Sophie Hudson about “low capacity” leadership and why quieter leaders often see what others miss.
It felt like permission — and a reminder — that leadership doesn’t have to override how you are wired.
Where might you be underestimating how others lead or your own way of leading?