Charmaine G.’s Post

I'm an introvert, and when I say introvert, I mean HIGH. In fact, on every test for introversion I've ever taken, my introversion score has been between 88% - 92%. Why am I sharing this? Because there continues to be an awful narrative around introverts that many have accepted as truth, and that is that introverts can’t be leaders and that introverts are afraid to speak. But guess what? Prior to founding Chapter tOO, LLC, I not only held leadership positions, including the C-suite within organizations, I excelled in those positions too! 💪🏾 So, this introvert is ready to reject narratives and bust some myths by sharing their story… 💡 Being an introvert doesn't mean that I don't like people. What it means is that being around or communicating extensively with people (yes, even my loved ones) takes a lot of energy out of me, so I have ‘exposure’ limits I have to adhere to. 💡 Being an introvert doesn't mean I won’t contribute in a meeting or conversation. What it means is that having time to process and reflect before sharing will likely lead to the best results for you and for me. 🤔 💡 Introversion doesn't mean that I won't go out; it just means that I don’t like to make hard fast commitments very far in advance (can’t predict energy levels), that I need to mentally prepare to engage, and that I must be mindful of my energy reserves, which for me also means that I’m never going to be the last person leaving anything! 🌃 💡 Yes, I can 'be on,' I’ve had to learn how, but the depth and breadth of the engagement you receive from me is directly tied to the strength of the relationship I have with you. The more I know and trust you, the more likely I am to have profound conversations. Yet, the process, while rewarding, still leaves me drained, and I need a lot of quiet time to reset. 💡 While not exclusive to introverts, being an introvert has taught me some incredible leadership lessons: the power of deep listening, thoughtful decision-making, and the ability to understand and empower others around me on a deep level. 🌟 So, to my fellow introverts, stand in your power because you bring unique strengths to the table, and the world needs our brand of leadership now more than ever. 💼🙌🏾 What myths have you shattered and are still working to shatter. Drop your comments below, you never know who you may inspire. 💬 👇🏾 #IntrovertedLeadersRock #BusinessOptimization #BeAuthenticallyYou