Last week my aim was to lift the lid on the strengths introverted leaders have as they lead teams. A key question is are you aware of whether you have a preference for introversion or extroversion? This week I will focus on the context in which introverted leaders best recharge their energy. Being aware of this will give you better understanding of your preference for introversion or extroversion.
“Your first and foremost job as a leader is to take charge of your own energy and then help to orchestrate the energy of those around you.” Peter Drucker
Understanding your preference for introversion or extroversion is a pivotal step in reshaping your leadership approach and taking control of your energy. As an introverted leader, you might feel compelled to be someone you are not in your leadership style. Understanding how you recharge brings clarity to your onboard preferences and enables you to manage yourself more effectively, enabling you to bring your best to your role.
Solar Panel – those of you with a preference for extroversion are a bit like a solar panel soaking up the energy of the sun you thrive in the company of others gaining energy from the outside in for example:
Social Interactions: Extroverted leaders will often draw their energy from having lots of social interactions. At a party you will likely look to strike up lots of conversations and enjoy meeting new people and interacting with them. Conversely too much time spent on your own will tend to deplete your energy as you like to be around others.
Plugged In – those of you with preference for introversion will tend to recharge by spending time on your own something like being plugged in to a power socket in a quiet place you recharge from the inside out. For example:
Social Interactions: At larger social gatherings you will likely spend time with a maximum of 2 or 3 people who you can get to know on a deeper level. You will find mixing with lots of people and making small talk quite draining. Time spent in solitary reflection, reading, or taking a walk allows you to recharge and approach your work tasks with renewed focus and clarity.
Managing Your Energy for Optimal Performance
As a leader knowing you prefer introversion you must proactively manage your energy to consistently deliver your best work. This list of suggestions will enable you to manage your energy more effectively and so have capacity for the situations which are likely to drain you.
- Establish Boundaries: Set clear boundaries to protect your personal space and recharge time. This might involve scheduling periods of uninterrupted focus or designating specific times for social interactions that align with your energy levels.
- Capacity Management: If you know you will be facing a day of larger leadership meetings with many people then make sure you have time either side to properly prepare and recharge. If possible, make sure you know what decisions need to be made in advance of the meeting, so you can make decisions at the meeting. Don’t combine the day with a big social event after work.
- Personalised Self-Care Rituals: Cultivate self-care strategies which align with individual your energy needs. Whether it’s a morning meditation routine, a midday walk, or an evening reading session, or dinner with a couple of close friends, these personalised self-care practices contribute to sustaining your energy levels.
- Ask for help: The temptation can be to do it all yourself. Recognize the strengths of team members and delegate tasks accordingly. You can strategically delegate responsibilities, creating a balance that ensures productivity without overwhelming your personal energy reserves.
By incorporating these strategies into your leadership approach, as introverted leaders you can effectively regulate your energy, ensuring a sustainable output at work. This will enable you to be at your best in meetings and larger gatherings.
To continue the conversation and explore strategies to be yourself you can contact me here.
Photo by Jason Blackeye on Unsplash.
