In this video I want to talk about a key way that introverted managers can be better managers for their extroverted employees.

In our research, where we have interviewed over 150 CEOs, north of 30 per cent of senior executives are introverts. At among middle and first line manager the levels are closer to 50 per cent. So how our introverts manage has a very considerable impact on how effective our organizations can be. Listening well is seen as one of the traditional strengths of introverts and compared to extroverts this is true. Introverts are much more apt to listen and think before jumping in with their thoughts. But our research suggests that this strength of listening can be improved by adding some nuance to how introverts listen to extroverts in particular.

Although introverts are very capable listeners, they tend toward what extroverts would identify as more passive listeners. As an extrovert gets excited - all wound up with what they are talking about - they seek more active listening. So when a listener sits there, like a "bump on a log", as we extroverts would put it, not responding, not feeding our energy back to us, we tend to feel frustrated and assume you are rejecting our ideas and us. I know you are not! You are thinking about and analyzing what we are saying, which is great. But if you want to be a better boss, be a more active listener by turning up the volume of your listening. In other words, act a bit like an introvert, not too much but a bit.

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When a fellow extrovert listens to me, they nod, they lean forward, they smile or frown, they may not agree but they are more fully engaged. Surely you have colleagues that act like this. And at times you feel like they are overdoing it, and for you they likely are. But we extroverts feed off the energy of an engaged audience, this sparks our energy and allows us to perform at our best. Not only is our energy and enthusiasm contagious, we, in our better moments can be inspiring even. This quality is needed in our organizations, along with the introverted leaders who bring greater thought, analysis and insights in your better moments.

Beyond extroverts' energy, this personality type can be highly creative, although in a different way than their introverted counterparts typically. Extroverts are often at their most creative when we are talking out our ideas with others. When I want to be creative I am more apt to go see a colleague and "kick around" some thoughts with them. Often many not so great ideas emerge, but a few excellent ones also come out of this process. The takeaway message is this: to be a better manager, introverts please build on one of your greatest strengths by listening, and being an active, engaged listeners. Your extroverted colleagues will thank you.