As the saying goes “You should never judge a book by its cover” and when it comes to project management this is certainly true. It is important that the effectiveness of a professional is not judged because they have a more introverted personality where it is believed an extrovert would be able to do a job better. An introverted project manager also has unique skills that can benefit project outcomes.
Some experts in techniques such as PRINCE2, PMI and APM project management believe that too much emphasis is put on the need for extroverts to be leaders, and this is a fact that is borne out by around 96% of business leaders falling into this category. Of course, extroverts are the group who are more likely to be noticed and with a good deal of charisma they are certainly likely to be listened to by their team. However, this does not mean that introverts can’t perform at least as well in roles like that of the project manager.
Introverts can in fact make great project managers, so read on as we take a brief look at just some of the benefits of hiring an introverted project manager.
Decision making
On those projects that are complex or particularly large, the project manager is always needing to make decisions – both large and small. Small decisions can be the difference between spending time on quality or speeding up the implementation of something within the project, and when it comes to a more complex situation, an introvert is more likely to be thoughtful and reflective. They will gather data, consider different opinions and weigh up a number of factors before arriving at a decision. The result can often be a decision that is more informed and will offer an outcome that is more favourable.
Active listening
Introverts are very good listeners and far more likely to listen to the project stakeholders in order to understand all their concerns and ideas. They are also more likely to be approachable, reliable and more cooperative. This can result in a more inclusive environment for the team.
Empowerment
An introvert will not actively seek attention, but they will not shy away from it when appropriate. This can be an important form of empowerment for those team members working with project managers who are introverts. It offers them a chance to share their opinion and give their own expertise. When it comes to organising sessions to share the successes of the project a project manager who is an introvert is more likely to allow others to shine. The result is a team who are more dynamic, motivated and which is good for overall team morale.
Adaptability
Introverts are more adaptable to change in things like circumstances and technology; they are willing to explore new options and tools and check them out before committing to solutions they are not sure about. They are much better at adapting their approach to suit the needs of the project team and also tend to foster a better understanding of the needs of any unique circumstances surrounding the project.
