400: Why Introverts Make Great Speakers and Leaders [Executive Speaking Series]

Are you an introvert? If so, do you wonder if you are at a disadvantage as a speaker?

There’s a common misperception that most speakers are extroverts. But, from my admittedly very unscientific survey, many speakers I know are introverts.

We think that as introverts we won’t be as engaging or charismatic or energetic. Perhaps we’ve seen speakers we admire and we assume they’re extroverts.

I’m an introvert and I grew up quite shy, yet I found that public speaking was a great way for me to connect with other people.

In this episode, Diane Diaz and I talk about:

• Why we became public speakers even though we’re introverts and we were shy as kids
• What being an introvert teaches you
• The strengths you have as an introvert as a speaker
• Why speaking feels like a better fit than social media for many introverts
• Our tips for attending and speaking at conferences as an introvert

We’re wrapping up the podcast series we’ve been around executive speaking.

This is the 400th episode of the Speaking Your Brand podcast! Thank you so much for being a listener.

Links:

Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/400/

Discover your Speaker Archetype by taking our free quiz at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/quiz/

Enroll in our Thought Leader Academy: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/academy/

Attend our 1-day Speaking for Impact in-person workshop in Orlando: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/workshop/

Connect on LinkedIn:

• Carol Cox = https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox
• Diane Diaz = https://www.linkedin.com/in/dianediaz/

Related Podcast Episodes:

• Episode 390: Impromptu Speaking: How to Prepare and Feel Confident in Any Situation
• Episode 370: Overcome Speaking Nerves & Anxiety: How to Develop Confidence on Stage
• Episode 208: Being an Introvert and a Speaker with Katherine N. Johnson

Become Bookable Live Online Workshop - April 15, 2026
If you want to speak more but you’re not sure where to start or your efforts haven’t produced the results you want, I’m hosting a live online workshop called “Become Bookable: How to Get Speaking Invitations” on Wednesday, April 15th.

A lot of brilliant women assume they just need to pitch themselves more. But the real reason speakers get invited isn’t because they pitch harder — it’s because they’re positioned as bookable.

In this 3-hour interactive workshop live on Zoom, I’ll show you how speakers actually get invited — and help you clarify the positioning that makes event organizers say yes.

As a podcast listener, use the coupon code “Podcast100” to save $100 on your registration.

Learn more and register at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/bookable