Invariably the introverted women who are senior leaders that I coach, do what they do because they want to make a positive difference and an impact in their area of work. Over the years working with this particular group, I have come to identify some common reasons that prevent them getting those executive leadership promotions that they long for. Here are five of them. These are not necessarily restricted to introverted women, and if you are extroverted, or you are a man, you may find this resonates with you too. Neither is this list exhaustive.
1. They don’t exude executive presence
I have a saying that goes, ‘You don’t have to be loud to stand out as a leader, but you do need to have presence’. Leaders who lack presence don’t command the level of influence and impact that they could have
Executive presence is about the way you show up, the way you are perceived and the impact that you make. It includes gravitas, namely exuding confidence, acting decisively, showing integrity, exhibiting emotional intelligence, having an outstanding reputation and being able to project your vision.
It includes the way you communicate and being a speaker that commands the room, so people want to sit up and listen. You need to be able to read your audience so that you identify how well you and your message are being received and know how to adapt your delivery to have the impact you want. It also includes your appearance.
2. They are not strategic enough
When you have been involved in the operational, it is easy to get caught up in it and the day-to-day activities. Thinking strategically as a leader involves looking at the bigger picture. How does your remit fit into the bigger picture?
What are the bigger challenges and threats? Familiarise yourself with your organisation’s strategic plan (or that of the organisation you are wanting to work for). Even doing a SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats) analysis and looking at the bigger picture, will help you to develop your strategic thinking.
Do not be afraid to challenge. And when you do, be able to explain why and put forward alternative solutions.
I have often had clients for whom a lack of strategic thinking has been the reason why they didn’t get promoted, so be sure you can demonstrate that you can think strategically.
3. They don’t assert themselves enough
If you are not assertive, it means those with more domineering personalities will take charge over you. Not speaking up and asserting yourself when needed, does not lend itself for you being seen as executive material.
Being aggressive as a leader can instil fear in others and doesn’t create a good welcoming and inclusive environment. Being too passive as a leader, people will walk all over you, and not have trust in your leadership abilities.
If you struggle to assert yourself, speak firmly and authoritatively when others try to interrupt or you want to express your opinion or disagreement, and DON’T use apologetic language. Be mindful of your facial expressions, body language and tone of voice.
Being assertive gives off an air of confidence and lets others know that you are not a pushover. By being assertive you will also develop better working relationships.
4. The doubt themselves too much
In a survey that I did when conducting research for my book Quietly Visible: Leading With Influence and Impact as an Introverted Woman, 73% of introverted women who were senior leaders said that they experienced self-doubt. With that self-doubt comes imposter syndrome, and a lack of self-confidence.
For many of these women, their self-doubt had arisen from being made to feel that they were not good enough because they were introverted when they were younger. Because of the unfavourable bias towards introversion in the workplace, this only served to add to the issue.
Address your self-limiting beliefs and recognise that what you think and believe about yourself impacts how you feel, and in turn, how you act and behave. If you are unable to do this on your own, get in touch and I will let you know how I can help.
5. They try to act like someone they are not
Because of misconceptions about introversion and the unfavourable bias that exists, many introverted women try to act like someone that they are not and put on a persona. This can come across as inauthentic, and not only that, over time, it can be stressful.
Unless you are a really good actor who easily steps into the role, trying to be someone that you are not, can chip away at your self-belief and knock your self-confidence.
Do not compare yourself to others and put yourself down in the process. Learn to accept yourself for who you are, and embrace your strengths, skills, and talent. This includes being introvert and proud.
In a conversation with one of my young mentees, she asked me how I am able to show up confidently as myself. I told her I had not always been like this. It is something I had to work on and develop over the years. But as I became more comfortable in my own skin, my self-belief grew and the more confident and assertive I became.
If you are being passed over for promotion because you are not seen as senior leadership material, do the work on YOU. Doing the work on YOU applies wherever you are at on your leadership journey.
First published on LinkedIn.
If you are an introverted woman and a senior leader and want to increase your confidence, influence and impact, take my free assessment and get a report identifying areas to develop. You can take the assessment here.