The Introverted Leader: Building on Your Quiet Strength

Kudos to the author for addressing the fact that some of our country's finest leaders rather run from the room than work it. If you want to be judged by the value of your on-the-job performance instead of whether you're the life of the party, buy this book. It's full of ways to stay true to your nature while making sure decision-makers are aware of how you're contributing to the success of your company.

Extroverts seem to get the most attention in this world, especially in the workplace, but it's often the introverts who quietly go about getting the real work done. Jennifer Kahnweiler celebrates the people whose quiet strengths often make the wheels of business turn. More importantly, she doesn't attempt to teach introverts how to change, but how to embrace and tap their considerable natural strengths and power. She offers a roadmap she calls the 4 P's Process to teach introverts how to turn challenges into opportunities. Emphasizing the need for Preparation, Presence, Push and Practice, she offers very specific advice and tools that help introverts claim their leadership skills, while teaching extroverts why they can't afford to ignore their "shy" colleagues. The introvert's self-assessment quiz and several diagrams throughput the book help to illustrate the great tips and techniques she outlines. When my boss saw this book on my desk, she instantly picked it up, spent a few minutes reviewing it and proclaimed, "We have some folks here who need to read this." In our business, introverts are definitely in the minority. We're all required to take the Myers-Briggs assessment, so we know who among us is officially classified as an "I." Now we know how to help them, as well as help them help themselves. The Introverted Leader isn't just a book. It's a workplace handbook!

First off, I am a big extrovert. Never understood why everyone else wasn't. But now I see things in quite a different way after reading Jennifer's book. Any extrovert who manages people or has to work within teams, should read this book, so they can get the right perspective on introverts and help them maximize their potential. Now I get it! Introverts aren't underachievers (remember, I am an extrovert!), they just see things differently. So, this book can help introverts manage up and help extroverts "GET" introverts! Great book Jennifer!

Jennifer has done a wonderful job of giving practical, actionable steps for a group of people who are much in need. Love the concept of approaching introversion as a strength! As a sales coach and trainer I will make this available as a resource to many of my clients! Kudos!!