The Introvert’s Edge Video Podcast: Discover the Strategies and Tactics of Introverted Global Business Leaders

WP Engine founder and CTO Jason Cohen shares the importance of understanding your strengths, weaknesses, and preferences when building your professional life. Instead of just blindly assuming that you need to be the next Bill Gates, Cohen encourages introverted managers and leaders to redefine success for themselves. Do you feel comfortable with leadership and enjoy attending networking events? Great! Get out there and be the CEO. Do you prefer to pass on a leadership role and instead leverage your strengths in other areas? Also great! It's all about understanding yourself and being aware of what you truly want. Yes, it's certainly important to push yourself and get out of your comfort zone in order to grow, but that doesn't mean saddling yourself with a business or career you don't enjoy.

As tempting as it is for us introverts to think that having an online-only business means we can hunker down and keep to ourselves, the truth is that we all need outside perspectives. In this episode of The Introvert’s Edge, Beth Buelow of The Introvert Entrepreneur explains why it’s crucial that we get out there and connect with other people, whether through networking, attending presentations, or meeting for lunch. It’s not just about building a network; it’s about creating inspiration. Yes, Introverted Entrepreneurs Need the Outside World It’s natural for introverts to prefer working on their own rather than being drawn to outside people and groups. But as Beth explains, when we isolate too much, we get stuck in our heads and our ideas can dry up. External stimulation, even something as simple as attending a webinar or going to a movie, has the effect of pulling us out of our heads, allowing us to generate fresh ideas. If the idea of socializing causes you a pang of introverted anxiety, take heart – Beth suggests that these activities can be entirely on your own terms. Choose ways to connect with others that you’re comfortable with, that will replenish your coffers, and that will keep your brain stimulated. You don’t have to mingle with every person in the room; the important thing is to participate in activities that give you new ideas and insights on your business. Of course, this doesn’t mean that the people you speak to are going to hand you the answers. It’s simply the process of being open to new ideas, hearing new perspectives, and talking through your thoughts – this is what can turn on that light bulb and reveal the way forward. If you’ve chosen a safe space to connect, and you feel a level of control, you may be amazed at what insights you can discover. Finding a Supportive Network for Introverted Business Owners You may cringe at the idea of attending a networking event or a mastermind, but the right group for you is out there. For example, Beth describes the mastermind group that she’s a part of, which is highly structured, well-facilitated, and provides opportunities for people to speak safely and comfortably. This results in a nurturing, empowering environment that works for her as an introvert. What does this mean for you? Beth advises that you not give up in your search for a helpful, supportive group. If one group doesn’t work, no problem; try something else. There is absolutely no need to try to force a fit. If you aren’t comfortable, don’t make it about you. It’s simply about finding a network in which you feel supported and heard – and that group does exist. Keep putting yourself out there, and you’ll find it. First, notice who you’re currently surrounding yourself with. Are you primarily spending your time with family and friends in traditional employment, who don’t understand the challenges of entrepreneurship? Are they supportive, or all doom and gloom? You don’t have to cut them out of your life, but you’ve got to connect with other entrepreneurs. Try an organization like BNI or Toastmasters, and pay attention to how you feel in the room. Give it a fair chance, but don’t force yourself to continue attending if it isn’t the right fit. It’s all about experimentation and persistence. It may sound contrary, but it’s important to remember that once you’ve found the right group, you also need to be conscious of when it’s time to leave. When you’re taking the next step in your business, you want to surround yourself with people who are already accomplishing what you want to accomplish. Want to write a book? Time to surround yourself with authors. Be deliberate and big-picture about who and what are going to help you most, and then get out there and make it happen. Some Questions I Ask: Is it ok for us introverts to just stay in our offices and not worry about any extroverted activities? (0:10) How can we reach out for help when we feel we’ve hit roadblocks? (6:35)

If you’re an introvert who’s been dreaming of starting your own business, but are afraid that your quiet nature closes that door for you, this episode will reframe your thinking and get the fire going in your belly. Just because your strengths may not naturally include networking, presenting, glad-handing, or sales, that does not mean you can’t be a hugely successful entrepreneur. In today’s episode, I talk with Beth Buelow, author of The Introvert Entrepreneur, about the limiting stories we tell ourselves, how to overcome them, and how to identify and leverage the natural strengths that propel us down the path to entrepreneurial success. Let’s Bust This Myth About Introverted Entrepreneurship Despite the significant strides made in recent years about recognizing the gifts and power of introverts, the stubborn stereotype remains: the one that say that truly impactful entrepreneurs must be extroverts. After all, starting a business from the ground up entails a whole lot of typically extroverted activities – meeting new people, reaching out to old and new contacts, attending events, pitching to investors, selling to customers, leading meetings, and on and on. I’d point out that all of those skills can be learned and mastered by introverts; in fact, introverts can be even better at them than extroverts, with a system and a process. But as Beth points out, think about all the other elements of successful entrepreneurship – the ones that may be a bit more hidden, but every bit as important. These include preparation, research, careful listening, understanding your prospects and customers, analytical thinking, creativity, focus, writing skills, and so much more. These entrepreneurial qualities may not get as much recognition as those that are more public-facing, but can you imagine a successful business without them? The only thing that holds introverts back from entrepreneurial success is the stories we may tell ourselves. The simple secret is not to try to change who you are; it’s the opposite. Embrace your introversion, be true to yourself, and harness your amazing natural skills. Key Strategies for Introvert Entrepreneurs By now, you may be saying to yourself, “Ok, I’m an introvert, I embrace it, and I’m excited to use my strengths in entrepreneurship; but I still have to do the extroverted activities too, right? How can I get good at those?” I firmly believe that you can not only acquire these skills, but even enjoy them. To start, Beth recommends thinking of these activities in terms of energy rather than time. For example, do you get worked up at the thought of making several calls in a row? For Beth, she knows that the best way to manage phone calls is to batch them and do them all at once, rather than “getting one over with” and working on a different task before moving on to the next call. By doing all the calls at once, Beth is able to build momentum and get into the groove, instead of splitting them up throughout the day and being forced to summon that energy over and over from scratch. It’s helpful to apply this “energy” idea to all of your daily business activities; strike a balance between the tasks that stress you out and the ones you enjoy. Terrified about hosting that webinar? Consider spending some time beforehand on writing a blog post about the webinar topic, or working on your registration email campaign – tasks that are related to the webinar, and will help you prepare, but that don’t fill you with dread. Then gather your energy and go for it, knowing it won’t last forever and that you can soon return to the tasks you prefer. Think of it this way: When you take those steps outside your comfort zone, you can then reward yourself by getting safely back in it, until you next venture out. That is the key to growth – taking risks, working through fear, and then recharging your batteries so you’re ready to do it again. Some Questions I Ask: Do you find that introverts automatically assume that successful...

Jennifer Kahnweiler is an international speaker, bestselling author, and world-recognized authority on introverted leadership capacity…but here’s the kicker: she’s an extrovert! While I make it a rule to invite only introverts on the show, in Jennifer’s case, I’ve made an exception – and you’ll soon discover why. Tune in to learn her personal and professional reasons for developing an interest in the power of introverts, her strategies for introverts who want or need to excel at leadership, and the improv mantra you need in your back pocket. Introversion and Leadership: The Perfect Pairing Whether you’re an introvert who’s actively pursuing leadership roles, or if you’ve suddenly found yourself leading a team and are feeling a bit of panic, take heart. There are many highly successful introverts in leadership, management, and C-level positions, and there’s absolutely no reason you can’t be an outstanding leader yourself. Jennifer’s extensive research has shown that, for an introvert, transitioning into a leadership role is not nearly as difficult as you might imagine – provided you go into it with a strategy that leverages your strengths. And these are the same strengths that allowed you to excel in your functional skill; you simply need to apply them to your new role as a leader. Leadership requires careful organization, good listening skills, and preparation, all of which come naturally to introverts – giving you an edge. The secret is to be able to “flex,” and bring these strengths to the leadership areas that tend to be more challenging for introverts, such as communication and professional relationships. It’s not about forcing yourself to be an extrovert; it’s about doing what you do best – analyzing, planning, and applying a clear strategy. The 4 P’s as a Leadership Strategy for Introverts Based on her years of research and interviews with highly effective introverted leaders, Jennifer has created “The 4 P’s” as a go-to strategy for introverts who want to develop their leadership capacity. Applying the 4 P’s is a simple way to drastically increase your confidence and nurture your skills as a leader. And best of all, it draws on the strengths you already possess. Preparation: Introverts don’t really like to wing it. Instead, we come with questions, ideas, analysis, and reflection. Having a plan for that meeting or conference call will make you feel much more comfortable than trying to go with the flow. Presence: When you’re prepared, you’re more able to be truly present, allowing you to connect to the people you’re speaking with. Push: Growth comes from pushing ourselves to do the things we might be afraid of. Push yourself just to the point of being a little uncomfortable; you’ll get through it and you’ll be stronger for it. Practice: Have a disciplined plan to hone and refine your skills. We all have our strengths and weaknesses; just remember that your “weaknesses” are not necessarily negatives; they’re opportunities to grow in both skill and confidence. Some Questions I Ask: As an extrovert, how did you become interested in the topic of introverts as leaders? (3:08) Do introverts have to “act” extroverted to be successful leaders? (5:10) What strategies should introverts employ if they are interested in becoming leaders? (8:15) Do extroverts have to work on refining “introverted” skills as well? (14:13) In This Episode, You’ll Learn: How extroverts can better understand the introverted personality (3:40) The misconceptions about introverts and leadership roles (4:30) How introverted skills can be leveraged for effective leadership (6:20) The four “strategy buckets” for introverted leaders (8:50) Why preparation is so important for introverts (9:09) How being truly present helps introverts connect with an audience (10:19) Finding the right balance in pushing yourself (10:47) Why practicing your skills is key (11:35) Why it’s ok to feel you’ll never be 100% comfortable in “extr...

Traditional business advice includes ideas such as, “Find an unmet need in the market and create an offering around it.” But this is a terrible suggestion for introverts. Introverts are more likely to focus on authenticity as a core business value. This means that trying to bend ourselves to the market instead of focusing on our true passions ends up making us feel incongruent, fake, and miserable. In this episode of The Introvert’s Edge, Brian Smith, the founder of UGG Boots, shares why he sees no other option than total authenticity, despite the business “risk” it may seem to entail. How Being Authentic Leads to More Ideal Customers You’ve heard these sales maxims many times: You’ve got to have the gift of the gab. You want to be able to sell ice to Eskimos. Just be confident and they’ll buy. The problem is, this just doesn’t work for most introverts. At least at the start, we’re much better off focusing on a niche we know well and that we’re passionate about. Brian explains how this approach grew UGG to a billion-dollar company. Authenticity and Business Growth Many business owners, especially introverts, believe they have to put their real passions to the side and focus their business choices on what’s “safe.” While this may seem like the practical decision, it’s actually a huge error. When you feel inauthentic, it’s hard to enjoy your business, let alone make it a success. But when you’re true to yourself, you have the passion and energy to lead your business to success, or what Brian calls in his book, The Birth of a Brand, “The Five Stages of Growth.” Brian shares his first-hand experience of rejection after rejection, running out of money, losing a partner – most would have quit. But he stayed on task, recommitted to staying authentic and doing what he was passionate about…and turned his company into a billion-dollar worldwide success. Some Questions I Ask: Are people surprised to learn that you’re an introvert? (0:25) When did you realize that you don’t need to care what people think? (7:01) Can you explain what you mean by “the five stages of a business”? (8:50) What advice do you have for business owners who are focused on external validation? (12:10) Describe the shift you experienced when your business focus changed to pursuing what makes YOU happy (14:38) What do you consider your introvert’s edge? (17:50) In This Episode, You’ll Learn: Why authenticity is key (0:53) Why you should build your brand around your passion rather than bending to the market (1:10) Brian’s struggle with introversion growing up, and the tools he used to deal with it (4:10) Why systems and strategies are especially helpful for introverts (6:10) What led Brian to realize he’s comfortable with himself just as he is (7:31) How building a business is like raising a child (9:05) Why “I need to prove I can run a successful business” is the wrong long-term mindset (12:40) Why opportunities become much clearer when you know exactly who you are and what you want (14:48) The importance of preparation in achieving your business goals (18:02) Resources Mentioned in the Show: Part one of this episode The Birth of a Brand, by Brian Smith Brian’s website

“You’ll never believe it,” said the excited voice on the other end of the line. “I just got off the phone with Brian Smith. He agreed to be our closing speaker at Small Business Festival.” Finding the exact right person to close our festival is always difficult. We look for a real-world business success story with an excellent track record in presenting from the stage. It’s always hard, because many founders don’t do public speaking…or at least, not very well. And most professional speakers do a great job with their specific topics, but don’t have experience in taking a business from a small startup to a worldwide success story. As a proud Australian, of course I knew exactly who Brian Smith was. And I knew that having the founder of billion-dollar brand UGG Boots speak from our stage would leave a lasting impression… And I was right. I remember being exceptionally impressed – not just with how authentic and relaxed he was on stage, but how genuine he was when talking to me before his presentation, and to the attendees afterward. As I do every year, as a thank you, I like to take the closing keynote speaker out for dinner and then show them around the city before dropping them back to their hotel. Over dinner I talked about how amazed I was with how he captivated the audience, how they seemed mesmerized with every story that he shared. Whenever I do a keynote presentation of my own, I always tell stories too. I used to try to share facts and details, but as an introvert, I found it left me feeling incongruous and awkward. I thought it was just me. That’s what surprised me most about what Brian said next. Brian told me that after the success of UGG Boots, he wanted to share what he learned with others, so he decided to become a speaker. He hired several well-regarded extroverted speaking coaches, who all told him to tell quippy jokes and use particular tactics to engage the audience. He said that everything they told him, while it worked for them and for other people they taught, as an introvert, he just felt inauthentic. He said it wasn’t until he just started sharing stories, well-practiced and structured stories of his own personal experience and the experiences of others, that he finally felt comfortable on the stage. I couldn’t believe that it wasn’t just me, that another introvert had stumbled on the same strategies for introverted presenting as I had. We laughed about just how similar our presentation styles are, how we love helping others (which is why we both stay after our keynotes to answer questions), and that we wished there were introverted speaking coaches who could have cut the learning curve in half and saved us a lot of discomfort. We both agreed we almost didn’t try, thinking, “An introvert on stage? Come on.” As it turns out though, we again have an edge. Becoming an Authentic Business Speaker Brian’s seemingly natural, confident stage presence is the result of two of what he considers his most important introverted qualities: being himself and being prepared. There is no question that introverts can be commanding, compelling public speakers – we just need the right approach and the right systems. And this applies to so much more than just speaking. Extroverts are generally regarded as having an advantage in business, and it’s no wonder – when it comes to sales, networking, and self-promotion, those who are confident and talkative may seem to have an advantage. But introverts have an important secret weapon that changes everything: the deeply-held desire to be authentic above all else. Learn how this drive to be true to oneself brought Brian Smith both a billion-dollar business and, ultimately, personal fulfillment. Getting More Sales Through Authenticity We introverts may not love the process of selling, but we’ve got to do it, not just to keep our doors open, but to truly thrive. Brian shares his journey from beginning UGG Boots, pushing himself to go out and do terrifying door-to-door s...

How did introvert Ivan Misner end up founding the largest, most effective networking group in the world – and why is it perfect for introverts? Many introverts believe.......