Success Advice
4 Reasons Why Introverts Can Be Successful Entrepreneurs

Introverts get a bad rap. They’re often viewed as shy, aloof, antisocial, or just plain weird. But when it comes to entrepreneurship, it appears that introverts may have finally won the upper hand. Just consider names like Mark Zuckerberg, Bill Gates, Larry Page, Warren Buffett, Marissa Mayer, and the list goes on. In fact, you could make the argument that these are the glory days for introverts.
Sadly, despite the many famously introverted entrepreneurs out there, most people would still say that extroverts make better leaders. And yet, introverts bring so much to the table as entrepreneurs. For instance, they’re known as being ultra focused and creative innovators, all without hogging the spotlight.
Conventional wisdom says you need to be an extrovert – or, at the very least, pretend you’re one, in order to be a great entrepreneur. But, as is often the case, conventional wisdom is wrong.
Here are 4 reasons why introverts can be just as successful,or even more so, than their extroverted counterparts:
1. Introverts require loads of time to think
Introverts crave time alone, plain and simple. And in fact, that’s the very essence of introversion; being energized by spending time alone. As a result of all this alone time, introverts can come up with pretty cool ideas, while solving seemingly unsolvable problems.
2. Introverts can better manage uncertainty
Uncertainty is the name of the game for many start-ups. And introverts tend to be able to handle it better. Why? It’s their nature.
Introverts typically analyze new business ideas quietly and internally beforehand. They mull it over and think it through. Once they do decide to move ahead, there’s no stopping them. Even when challenges seem insurmountable and setbacks abound, they press on, knowing in their heart and gut they’re following the right course.
This is a vital trait for an entrepreneur considering not only the shockingly high failure rate of new businesses, but also the fact that even successful startups don’t typically turn a profit until the third year.
“Doubt, of whatever kind, can be ended by action alone.” –
3. They’re focused listeners
We learn by listening, not by talking. And introverts are, by far, the better listeners. This is a critical characteristic when it comes to entrepreneurship. You have to listen to your customers, to your employees, and to your vendors, if you want to be successful. When you’re a good listener, you can not only hone and polish great ideas, but also avoid expensive missteps.
4. They’re calm, cool and collected
Extroverts have a tendency to lose it. Introverts, on the other hand, are typically more even tempered, with a calming and peaceful presence. This demeanor can work wonders when trying to build trust and diffuse the many difficult situations that arise when starting up a new business.
“Nothing gives a person so much advantage over another as to remain always cool and unruffled under all circumstances.” – Thomas Jefferson
If given the choice, most businesses would hire an extrovert. And yet,ironically enough, some of the most admired and respected leaders are or were introverts. Think Abraham Lincoln, Eleanor Roosevelt, Albert Einstein, and Steven Spielberg. So if you’re an introvert, know you’re in some pretty spectacular company. And keep pushing ahead to pursue your business dreams!
How has being an introvert helped you in your life? Please leave your thoughts below!
Success Advice
The Most Overlooked Soft Skill In Business
It’s a skill that can be learned, practiced, and refined over time, and it’s one of the most valuable soft skills you can acquire.

Negotiation isn’t just for boardrooms or business deals; it’s a life skill. From asking for a raise to resolving conflicts at home, to reaching agreements with friends, negotiation underpins our ability to communicate, influence, and find solutions. (more…)
Coaching
Why Successful Leaders Are Great Coaches
A good coach helps uncover hidden talents, develop new skills, and align abilities with personal and professional goals.

Can there truly be a coach who doesn’t criticise?
Can there be a critic who doesn’t coach? (more…)
Mentor
How To Become A Great Mentor In The Digital Age: A Complete Guide
One of my teachers gave me a piece of advice that still sticks with me today

When I was 15 years old, I joined my school publication to become a student journalist. (more…)
Success Advice
How “I Have a Dream” Became the Most Powerful Speech in History
It’s a blueprint for how to speak truth with clarity, conviction, and compassion

On August 28, 1963, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. stood on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C., and delivered what would become one of the most powerful speeches in history, “I Have a Dream.” (more…)
-
Success Advice4 weeks ago
The Real Reason Your Personal Brand Isn’t Working
-
Tech Start Ups4 weeks ago
Your Startup’s Greatest Risk May Be A Click, Not A Competitor
-
Life3 weeks ago
The Subtle Signs You’re Losing Yourself And How to Find Your Way Back
-
Change Your Mindset3 weeks ago
How Top CEOs Solve Problems Differently To The Rest
-
Success Advice3 weeks ago
How “I Have a Dream” Became the Most Powerful Speech in History
-
Life2 weeks ago
How Sports Quietly Build Kids’ Emotional Intelligence And Why It Matters for Life
-
Mentor2 weeks ago
How To Become A Great Mentor In The Digital Age: A Complete Guide
-
Entrepreneurs2 weeks ago
The Hidden Legal Protections Most Entrepreneurs Don’t Know They Have