43: How to Lead Extroverts and Introverts, with Bonni Stachowiak

Bonni Stachowiak: Teaching in Higher Ed

Bonni is the host of the Teaching in Higher Ed podcast, Dean of Teaching and Learning and Professor of Business and Management at Vanguard University, and my life partner. Prior to her academic career, she was a human resources consultant and executive officer for a publicly traded company. Bonni is the author of The Productive Online and Offline Professor: A Practical Guide*.

While we all enjoy many aspects of our personality, most of us trend towards either extroversion or introversion in how we engage with the world. In this episode, Dave and Bonni discuss this dichotomy, how to lead those who have preferences in each area, and advice for your own leadership style.

How to lead those with an extroversion preference:

• Give them opportunities to communicate ideas and thoughts
• Help them use their preferences in sales interactions
• Recognize that they may become impatient with a slow pace, so give them indicators of movement, when possible
• Use feedback regularly

How to lead if you have an extroversion preference:

• Take time to listen
• Ask others how they want to be led
• Avoid using “thinking out loud” as an excuse for not treating others well
• Give yourself “time outs” when you need them
• Recognize that venting does not actually live up to its reputation

How to lead those with an introversion preference:

• Don’t surprise them
• Give them time to respond
• They are doing their best work when you don’t see them
• Unnecessary group work irritates them
• Give them physical space to work independently
• They tend to not multi-task well

How to lead if you have an introversion preference:

• Be flexible
• Let people know what you are thinking
• Explain to people that you might not always seem engaged

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