Introverts: Network in Your Own Way

If you’re the founder of a startup, there’s a chance you might not be one of those naturally outgoing types that companies typically look for to lead a company. And if that’s the case, it might be a good thing. According to Laurie Helgoe, author of “Introvert Power: Why Your Inner Life Is Your Hidden Strength,” there are some circumstances where an introvert might be an ideal leader – and a startup might be one of those places. Here’s why. A startup is typically full of self-motivated people looking to make a difference.

A long-standing belief is that natural leaders are all extroverts. You know the type. They’re decisive, enjoy speaking publicly, and enjoy social settings. Everybody else — the remaining 25 percent of the population? Well, you might be quick to call them ‘passive’ — and best suited to hide behind the scenes. There’s more to it though, so as my grandma likes to say, “bite your tongue”.

You may feel pressured to be more outgoing and extroverted, especially during your job search. Don't despair: Introverts possess many strengths, many of which are even admired by employers. If you haven't already admitted you're an introvert, you may need to recognize the characteristics of one.

Quick. Say something memorable about yourself, on the spot, in less than 15 seconds. Now come up with another – and then smile professionally, right in front of a bunch of strangers.

There are many reasons individuals may be looking to get promoted: the staleness of their current position, the lure of a flashier title, or potentially just a reward for the infinite amount of hard work they’ve been putting in.

If you want to be a successful entrepreneur, then you only need to do one thing: Invent, develop, and market a product or service that customers really need or want. There are, however, a few caveats: It has to be an innovative solution to an important problem and far better, cheaper, or easier to use than competitive solutions. You must be able to make enough money doing it to justify the investment in time and capital. You have to have a laser-like focus on making all that happen.