Synopses & Reviews
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.
Review
“Finally, a book that recognizes the immense value that introverts bring to the workplace. Youll learn how to lead with quiet confidence through powerful personal examples and practical tools.”
—Daniel H. Pink, author of A Whole New Mind
“This thoughtful process offers to improve the leadership potential of many who make a significant contribution to the people around them, and, by extension, our society at large.”
—Edward T. Reilly, President and CEO, American Management Association International
""The Introverted Leader offers a straightforward and practical approach to business communication and leadership that will allow introverts to cut through the noise of an extroverted world and have their invaluable voices heard.""
—Carol A. DiBattiste, Senior Vice President, Privacy, Security, Compliance, and Government Affairs, LexisNexis Group
“Many of the most effective leaders are self-contained ‘inner processors who are nonetheless extremely capable of getting results. This book shows you how to get the most out of yourself and others whose management style is different.""
—Brian Tracy, author of The 100 Absolutely Unbreakable Laws of Business Success and Eat That Frog!
“Kahnweiler believes that we must recognize the many thoughtful, inwardly focused, quiet ‘gems within our midst. If you count yourself as introverted some or all of the time, this book is a must-read.""
—Liliana de Kerorguen, President, Merial Canada Inc.
“Introverts are often understated overachievers. Their quality and contributions may not be discovered and rewarded. If you are an introverted manager who finds public speaking intimidating and being around people draining, this book provides practical guidance that will help you embrace and control uncomfortable situations. It will enable you to be more effective.”
—Ping Fu, President and CEO, Geomagic and 2005 Inc. magazine Entrepreneur of the Year
""Jennifer B. Kahnweiler shows that she understands the challenges and opportunities introverted leaders face daily in a global marketplace. If you are an introverted leader or a manager of introverts -- or both! -- read this book. Kahnweiler delivers a proven four-part process drawn from her work in the trenches. Yes, introverted leaders can win!
—Fabrice Egros, President, UCB Pharma Inc.
“Does the thought of working a room make you want to run from the room? The good news is, you don't have to be the life of the party to be a successful leader. This book teaches people skills you can use to lead with confident, compassionate authority so you command the respect, loyalty and results you want, need and deserve. Read it and reap.”
—Sam Horn, author of POP! and Tongue Fu!
“The Introverted Leader shows how to enhance your natural temperament and claim your place as an extraordinarily confident introverted leader in todays demanding workplace. Jennifers strong track record of coaching the more reticent types among us shines through in this highly engaging and practical book.”
—Dr. Tony Alessandra, coauthor of The New Art of Managing People and The Platinum Rule
""I've been an executive coach for more than fifteen years and only wish I'd had this book sooner for my many introverted clients. Jennifer's four-step process—clear, concrete, and centered on results—helps ‘not-so-noisy leaders avoid career derailment and achieve success. If you're an introvert—or you coach, mentor or manage one—this is the book you've been waiting for. Buy it, read it, and put it to work!”
—Sharon Jordan-Evans, executive coach and coauthor of Love ‘Em or Lose ‘Em: Getting Good People to Stay
""This is an important book for introverts and extraverts alike. Extraverts will benefit by gaining deeper insight into the mind of the introvert. Introverts will learn to embrace their introversion and the true value that they bring to the organizations they serve. The tips and tools that Kahnweiler introduces will help introverts navigate an extraverted corporate world. Shhh. Hear that? Its the sound of your confidence growing!”
—Bill Treasurer, founder of Giant Leap Consulting and author of Courage Goes to Work
""Jennifer B. Kahnweiler's experience with numerous high-level organizations speaks loud and clear in this first-of-its-kind book for introverted leaders. Those who are reluctant to step out of the shadows will learn to do so while keeping their personality intact.""
—Tom Darrow, founder and Principal, Talent Connections, LLC
Synopsis
In our outgoing, type A business culture, introverts can feel excluded, overlooked, or misunderstood, their reticence mistaken for reluctance, arrogance, or even lack of intelligence. But Jennifer Kahnweiler shows that not only can introversion be managed, it can even be a source of strength. Ask Bill Gates and Warren Buffett, two of the leaders she cites as shy introspectives who have developed ways to thrive in a challenging environment.
It is estimated that as many as 40 per cent of executives are introverted to at least some extent. Based on conversations with over 100 of these men and women, Kahnweiler lays out a progressive four-step strategy for succeeding in an extroverted world. First, preparation: carefully devise a game plan for any potentially anxiety-producing situation. Then presence: knowing that you're prepared, be completely focused on the present moment or activity. Next, push: with a firm foundation of preparation and presence, go beyond your comfort zone. And finally, practice, practice, practice.
After a revealing Introverted Leader Quiz to help you deepen your understanding of where focused improvement will produce maximum results, Kahnweiler shows exactly how to apply the four P's approach in six areas that are particularly difficult for introverts, such as public speaking, heading up projects, participating in meetings, and more. The goal, she emphasizes, is not personality change--you work with who you are, not against it. In fact, she shows that introversion can actually be a plus in areas like listening skills and written communication. But as a result of reading this book, leaders and aspiring leaders who find it intimidating to be around people will learn to embrace the experience, rather than see it as something to be avoided or endured, and as a result advance their careers and contribute more fully to their organizations.
Synopsis
In our outgoing, Type-A business culture, introverts can feel excluded, overlooked or misunderstood, their reticence mistaken for arrogance or even lack of intelligence. And their inconsistent people skills often cause their careers to plateau. But Jennifer Kahnweiler shows that not only can introversion be managed, it can even be a source of strength. Ask Bill Gates or Warren Buffett, leaders she cites as shy introspectives who have developed ways to thrive in a challenging environment.
About the Author
Jennifer B. Kahnweiler, PhD, helps build strong leaders through her highly engaging speaking, training, and executive coaching programs. Called the "down-to-earth Ph.D." she specializes in translating leadership theory into practice. Her clients include Capital One, Turner, AT&T, the Coca-Cola Company, and GE.