The Introverted Leader: Building on Your Quiet Strength

In our outgoing, type-A business culture, introverted people often undersell themselves, let their ideas go unheard, and have difficulty networking and saying no. Kahnweiler, a corporate coach with a PhD in counseling and organizational development, shows that introversion be managed and can even be a source of strength. Based on a national workplace survey and personal interviews, she lays out a four-step strategy for succeeding in an extroverted world, and shows how to apply the suggestions in areas that are particularly difficult for introverts, such as public speaking, heading up projects, participating in meetings, and building relationships. She also emphasizes areas where introversion can be a plus, like listening skills and written communication. Her advice will be especially useful for managers and aspiring managers, for professionals in technical, scientific, and financial fields, and for women in male-dominated fields. Annotation ©2009 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

In our extroverted business culture, introverts can feel excluded, overlooked, or misunderstood. But being an introvert doesn't mean you can't be a great leader. Citing examples of highly successful leaders like Bill Gates and Warren Buffett, Kahnweiler shows that introverts can build on their quiet strength and make it a source of great power.

After highlighting the common challenges introverts face at work, such as stress, invisibility, and perception gaps, the book details a straightforward four-step process to handle work situations such as managing up, leading projects, public speaking, and many more. Kahnweiler provides numerous examples and leadership tips as well as a revealing Introverted Leader Quiz that pinpoints where focused attention will produce maximum results, The Introverted Leader will teach you to embrace your natural work style in order to advance your career, get the most out of the people around you, and add value to your organization.