What do Apple CEO Tim Cook, Warren Buffet, Condoleezza Rice, and Steven Spielberg have in common?

They are all highly effective quiet influencers:  introverts who use their natural strengths to make a big difference without making a lot of noise. The corporate world is realizing there’s more than one way to have some sway in today’s shifting workplace.

Why now is the time for quiet influence

There are four key forces that are contributing to this new wave of leadership.

• Flattened organizations:  Gone are the days when decisions were passed up the hierarchical ladder. There are many paths to a decision, and it’s not a simple matter of pushing our own agendas. That opens up all kinds of space for different kinds of influence, including the quiet kind.

• Global businesses: Traditional extroverted approaches may work well in U.S.-centric organizational cultures, but more reflective, low-key influencing styles are much more effective in Asia and many other regions of the world.

• Virtual activity:  Introverts have been drawn to social media because it lets them decide how, when and with whom they will communicate. Those who have invested in learning and using social media are poised to affect tomorrow’s change.

• Heightened competition:  Companies are seeking suppliers and employees who bring fresh, innovative approaches. The truth is, extrovert-centric self-promotion and loud persuasion are passé. Today, people stand out from the crowd if they have a knack for building up others and are committed to listening instead of talking.

Quiet influence process

Influence is not about getting people to come to see things your way, but about learning from others and negotiating a shared solution. This approach is well suited to the introvert temperament. It involves patience, planning, and perseverance.

Managers can support introverts who make highly effective influencers when they stop trying to act like extroverts. Allow introverts to make the most of their natural, quiet strengths.

Key strengths of quiet influencers

Observation and interviews with numerous quiet influencers have uncovered six key strengths that introverts use to achieve an impact. Each strength by itself is a powerful lever of influence and when put together the power of the strengths multiples.

1. Taking quiet time: They prioritize periods of solitude that provides them with a powerful source of creativity and self-awareness.

2. Preparing: They increase their ability to influence others by ramping up their knowledge, creating a strategy and rehearsing.

3. Listening:  This innate introvert talent helps them to establish rapport and mutual understanding—especially when they observe body language, ask questions and serve as a sounding board for others.

4. Having focused conversations: They excel at the serious, purpose-driven, one-on-one or small group interactions vital for problem solving, working through conflicts and winning people over.

5. Writing:  They use this skill to become clear on their own position and motivate others to action through deep, authentic, well developed arguments.

6. Using social media thoughtfully: They use social media in a thoughtful and effective way to develop and grow relationships, achieve visibility, and mobilize people—even those far across the globe.

Whether you are an introverted or extroverted leader you can use leverage the strengths you already use and try on some new approaches to influence others. The result will be that will you will make a difference, inspire others and effect true change.