Introverted quiet Head

[LuciferRising]

Anyone in a senior position and surrounded by extroverted peers with a completely different style which over shadows yours?

For example on calls they'll take complete control, discuss things that have been covered before, and provides feed back on how you're too quiet and to think about the leadership style you want to portray.

Do you think you can have quiet leaders?

Who's providing the feedback/taking control? More senior people, peers, direct reports?

Leaders can be quiet, yes but they still have to be assertive. I've had the privilege of working with many soft-spoken women (director and MD level) and while they were not the loudest they left no doubt that they were in charge.

It's not just about 'leadership' in any meeting situation there are always the 'loud' personalities who talk over everyone, derail everything keeping them in check and everyone back on track firmly but politely is a vital soft skill.

Oh, yes. I had an exceptional manager, who was very senior in the organisation, and was a master of silence. He could make his silence attentive interest, or supportive, or concerned empathy. He could also make his silence speak. For example: "Is that really what you meant to say?" or "I am extremely busy right now." He was incredibly skilled at helping people talk themselves into a solution for the problem they had brought to him. He was also incredibly skilled at letting people talk themselves into silence when they realised that what they were saying was foolish or inappropriate in whatever way.

I never saw a moment's nastiness or arrogance from him.

It was more than just silence. He used his body language very well. He want a party animal, by he certainly had a sense of fun. He was reserved, but pleasant. He was also completely reliable, so if he said he would do something - it would be done. Silence around that something was not something to worry about.

I worked with a Headteacher who was very quiet. Assertive and decisive, whilst also very quietly spoken. I often couldn't hear him, especially in group discussion situations

Peer. He highlighted the others who do talking in meetings and I don't do enough but I don't want to talk for the sake of it. Ill ask questions or give advise where needed.

BTW I mean Head of department.