How are introverted leaders managing COVID-19?
COVID-19 has shifted our worlds drastically. I believe that all humans crave some sort of connection to a community. Research shows that social connections improve physical health, psychological wellbeing — and even longevity. As we find ourselves navigating the unfamiliar terrain of COVID-19, our ability to create and cultivate social connections has been impacted and now many of us are dependent on virtual and online methods to maintain relationships, and a sense of connection.
I’m sure many of you are exhausted by the personality comparisons regarding how introverts are faring better in the midst of this current pandemic. Many of these comparisons depict introverts as content with the constant and persistent state of isolation, while depicting our extroverted partners as “suffering” and in need of HELP during these times due to social distancing. As a fellow introvert, I am not writing another article to detail how much introversion is advantageous during these times nor do I claim to speak for all introverts. Instead, I would like to present a balanced and nuanced view of how introverts are faring positively and negatively during these times. Because honestly, it’s hasn’t been all positive. While I have enjoyed the luxury of working from home, and more time to devote to home projects and cooking — I do miss having everyday physical social interactions with people in my life from my hair stylist, the owner at my favorite restaurant, my friends, coworkers and extended family. We must keep in mind that being an introvert does not make someone automatically content with the absence of physical and social interactions.
I am not attempting to compartmentalize our personalities. Many of us exhibit a wide range of traits, and it is very context or situation specific. But most us tend to lean towards either introversion or extraversion.
Here are three themes that are present in the work life of introverted leaders as they navigate the pandemic
1. We’re using this time to rest and take a break from work imposed extraversion
Introverted leaders are still trying to figure out this weird toggle between social energy over-extension and social energy preservation in a virtual environment. I like to think that it’s very destructive to view any human being as possessing an endless supply of energy. Rest and replenishment are integral to our mental health. For introverted leaders, there have been plenty of times where we feel overextended in our positions in this new virtual world. Endless hours on zoom can impact your mood and mental health, and lead to fatigue. This pandemic has led many organizations to put a pause on many large social events, and some of us may be experiencing a decrease in our work commitments that had previously put us in the spotlight. In zoom meetings, some of us may find it easier to be inconspicuous by opting to turn our camera off. Overextension can still happen in this virtual environment but for many of us, we’re seeing a lot of pre-COVID-19 work-imposed extraversion diminished due to decreased in person interactions and events, and social distancing.
2. The pandemic has forced us to think and act quickly
According to Dr. Laurie Helgoe, author of Introvert Power: Why Your Hidden Life is Your Hidden Strengths, introverts process information internally. That skill allows them to hear, understand, and provide carefully considered insight when they do respond. This pandemic has challenged introverts for many reasons; it has forced us to contend with, and change our pre pandemic business processes. It has driven decision making in overdrive where we were forced to strategize ways to communicate with our staff, and serve our clients and constituents in a digital way. Many of these decisions had to be made rather quickly — for many introverts, we absolutely detest situations that force us to make impulsive and abrupt decisions with minimal reflection time.
3.The pressure to say “NO” to zoom parties, happy hours and non-work virtual events is real
I personally feel like COVID-19 is imploring us all to be more intentional about how we spend our time. For the first time, many of us are experiencing the integration of work and family life. We’re negotiating our work around child care, homeschooling, and home activities. This experience is inherently exhausting. Nonetheless, there have been extremely creative ways of maintaining social connections with family and friends like virtual happy hours. Many introverts may be finding themselves overextended in work related activities so having the energy and motivation to join non-work virtual events is a hard task, and thus we may say “no” to these events in order to conserve our energy. As for me, I am becoming more in tune with the reality of zoom fatigue and trying to substitute screen time with other activities like walking, exercising, reading books, and frankly spending time in solitude. I have even said “NO” to a few virtual non-work events. I want to make sure my friends and family get the best version of me so if that means declining a few virtual social hours in order to conserve my energy, this is what I have to do. Introverts — please extend yourself some grace, and don’t let the pressure and guilt to overextend yourself and always be present take over your life.
Regardless of your personality type, this pandemic has really caused many leaders to operate from a place of both vulnerability and transparency. Operating from these two places provides us the opportunity to build empathy, trust and respect with ourselves and each other. I implore us all to start having transparent conversations around how COVID-19 has impacted us wholeheartedly. When we have these conversations with those we lead, we implore them to see the humanity in us, and we model authenticity and compassion. My hope is once we return to our “new normal”, we can turn our workplaces into spaces that nurture and empower all of our personalities. For now, my fellow introverts, continue to cultivate rest and enjoying your moments of solitude.
