Leadership Lessons from the Quiet Ones
Why Introverts Make Strong Leaders
When you picture a leader, what comes to mind? Someone outspoken? Always ready with a quick answer?
For a long time, leadership has been associated with extroversion. But some of the most effective leaders are the quieter ones.
I know this because I am one of them.
The Quiet Power of Introverted Leadership
Introverted leaders often bring qualities that are easy to miss, but deeply valuable:
Listening deeply before speaking.
Reflecting before acting, which leads to thoughtful decisions.
Spotting dynamics others might overlook.
Creating space for others to contribute, instead of dominating the room.
These habits build trust, encourage collaboration, and help teams feel seen and heard.
Breaking the Stereotype
Quiet leaders are often underestimated. They may be labelled as reserved, hesitant, or lacking authority. Meanwhile, louder behaviours are praised as confident or decisive.
But volume doesn’t equal vision. And silence doesn’t equal weakness.
When organisations only reward one type of leadership, they miss out on the balance and depth that different approaches bring.
Why This Matters for Inclusion
Inclusion isn’t only about who gets hired. It’s also about whose leadership styles are recognised, supported, and celebrated.
Different teams and projects need different kinds of leadership. Sometimes what’s needed isn’t the loudest voice in the room, but the leader who creates the space for others to thrive.
A Simple Next Step
At Edenfold, I speak and coach on inclusive leadership, drawing on my own experience as an introverted leader in a sector where extroversion is often the default.
Through keynotes and workshops, I help leaders see there’s no single mould for leadership and that diversity of style is as important as diversity of background.
Because sometimes, the quietest leaders make the loudest impact.
Find out more about our keynote speaking and inclusive leadership here: