Can't get into management/leadership as I'm shy

[Beingnobody]

I wouldn't say I'm painfully shy, but I don't come across as assertive/confident enough.
I currently have a supervisory position where on a shift I'm in charge of 3 people, not that they would listen to me anyway. This is in a care home setting, I trust the staff to get on with assisting residents without needing direction from me (unless new staff who are shadowing of course).
However on certain shifts when I'm not supervisor (it's a strange workplace) the supervisors are constantly asking 'can you go and do xyz for me'. So I think I need to start being the same.
I'm looking for a new job for higher pay and a less cliquey work culture.
I have previously had an interview to be a team leader where I was told I 'wasn't ready ' in their eyes.
I had a school interview yesterday which involves line management. I don't find out the answer until Monday, but I don't think I've got the job. I was against 4 other interviewees for a start, but the interview panel was a team of 4 people, and I can get quite nervous.
I answered as best and as honestly as I could, I spoke clearly and made eye contact but I don't think I come across as confident enough yet. They know I'm a current team leader, but I'm not a line manager as such.
It's a shame really, I just want to progress in my life and financially, and the only way to progress and earn more in my areas of work is to get into management/leadership.
I'm 31, have a lot of work experience and I'm well qualified.
I want to just move forward but feel like I'll be held back.

Honestly I don’t think you sound like a great manager based on your description. I’m not even sure how effective you are as a supervisor. I would look for a career where you can advance as an individual contributor.

Here’s the thing even if you were to become a manager, to be a successful one you have to actively manage and not just let employees get on with it. This is true even if your team is high functioning and independent. you also need to speak out on behalf of your team with others.

You may be able to ‘fake it’ enough to get by…but I don’t think you’d be very happy long term.

The best manager I’ve ever had was a soft spoken guy who was completely different from the usual type. He actually cared about us and had the empathy that I’ve never seen with any of my extroverted bosses, really altered his approach to each of us on his team according to what worked best for is and we all really thought highly of him. However when the round of layoffs came he was fired first precisely because he wasn’t loud enough, visible enough, kissing the asses of the higher up managers enough….you get the jist.

My DH is an introvert and hates being a manager but went into it, he’s in tech and highly experienced and very good at what he does so he’s well respected by others for that reason.

I don’t know what to advise OP, I too am more of an introvert and just don’t have the confidence to go into leadership. I led a small team once (team leader capacity) and didn’t really love it.

Why do you need to be a manager/ leader

Why not look for a role that plays to your strengths

I would suggest reading some books on how to manage people, there are quite a few focused on quiet leadership and introverts which could help. I think having more knowledge of management theory and techniques would in time make you a more obvious leader.
Good luck, you sound like you would make the kind of manager the world needs more of.

Get yourself a mentor is the best advice I have for you. They will help to challenge you, build your brand and develop you.
I'm in leadership in the tech industry and I'm currently focusing on mentoring women into leadership roles. Happy to answer any questions if you like.

Thank you. It's just that in teaching/social care roles it's the only way in which to progress/earn more usually.

The other supervisors are perhaps on top of the job from a supervisors pov and can see what jobs need prioritising.
Perhaps work on this to start with,get to know the various roles not from a carers view but as an overall type of thing so you can see why certain jobs are allocated then begin to do this yourself which will give you more confidence.it seems you are winging it at the moment.