Why Introverted Leaders Are Ideal for the Post pandemic Workplace
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Why Introverted Leaders Are Ideal for the Post pandemic Workplace

As an extrovert, I hate to admit it, but charisma really doesn’t improve a firm’s performance

By LEIGH THOMPSON
Mon, Jan 29, 2024 8:36amGrey Clock 3 min

Leigh Thompson is the J. Jay Gerber Professor of Dispute Resolution and Organizations and a director of executive-education programs at Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management. She is the author of several books, including “Negotiating the Sweet Spot: The Art of Leaving Nothing on the Table.”

I’m an extrovert and I admit I’ve benefited from it.

Outgoing people are more likely to be noticed, selected as leaders and awarded “halo” traits—meaning that other people just assume extroverts are more likeable, intelligent and have other positive qualities. But as a social scientist, I can’t ignore the research: Most of these beliefs about extroverts simply aren’t true.

Studies show that introverts and extroverts are equally effective in academic and corporate environments, and that there is no actual relation between CEO charisma and firm performance.

Yet the misconceptions about extroverts persist, making them more likely to be chosen as leaders over their more introverted peers. That’s unfortunate because in our post pandemic world, replete with remote work, hybrid communication, far-flung team members, artificial intelligence and global disruption, introverts are particularly well-equipped to lead.

That may be hard to believe because of two persistent myths.

First is the widely held stereotype that effective leaders are gregarious, alpha and comfortable in the spotlight, even craving that attention. In reality, the social skills that extroverts display aren’t necessarily predictive of capable leadership.

Second is the belief that quieter people lack leadership skills. They are seen as less social, unassertive, sad and disconnected. Indeed, in a recent study in which people in different groups were instructed to “act like an extrovert” or “act like an introvert” regardless of their actual personalities, those who acted extroverted were disproportionately selected for leadership. And, interestingly, those who pretended to be introverted in that study reported feeling sad.

Both of these myths ignore the reality that introversion, far from being simply a lack of extroversion, is a distinct set of traits with its own large merits. This was true well before the pandemic, but the remote-work environment illuminated the bias even more and highlighted the need to change our perceptions.

Here are five reasons why introverts could be ideal leaders in the redefined workplace.

1. Remote-work performance. Extroverts’ job performance declined when the pandemic forced many businesses to go remoteA study of remote workers found that extroverted employees became less productive, less engaged and less satisfied with their jobs. A separate study found that team average extroversion had a large negative effective on team performance—that is, the more extroverted the team members were as a group, the worse they performed.

2. Dealing with adversity and change. Introverts show a greater capacity to engage, think through and make wise choices during periods of adversity and change. A recent investigation found that introverts had more positive attitudes toward AI and using AI overall than did extroverts. A separate study found that during periods of high conflict, extroverts develop fewer energising relationships with their teammates and aren’t viewed as proactively contributing to the team. Introverts, however, often possess a predisposition for things like empathy and thoughtful communication—all critical for navigating team dynamics and conflict in tough times.

3. Creativity. Introverts’ creativity flows well in the quiet aftermath of group interactions, positioning them as formidable leaders for innovative and reflective tasks. In studies of communication and conflict, introverts’ tendency to think before speaking was seen to yield more creative solutions.

4. Avoiding avoidance. Most humans approach positive things and avoid negative things. Sounds like a good policy—unless we’re talking about workplace challenges. Research has shown that extroverts commit more passive avoidance errors—that is, when the going gets tough, they tend to avoid the situation altogether; meanwhile introverts are more likely to inspect the half-empty glass or the disappointing customer-satisfaction data, generating insights and solutions.

5. Resilience against quitting. A study of over 200 people revealed a correlation between extroversion and burnout—that is, the more extroverted a person reported themselves to be, the more likely they were to burn out. Introversion, on the other hand, was uncorrelated with burnout, suggesting better immunity.



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Decorating With Yellow: One of Home Décor’s Hottest Colours in 2025

Whether it’s a soft butter or a rich shade of mustard, the sunny shade is showing its versatility in interior design.

By Tracy Kaler
Fri, Jul 18, 2025 4 min

Art enthusiasts may wax poetic about yellow, one of the oldest hues in the history of art. The colour can be seen in some of the world’s most ancient works from Egypt and Rome, and pieces by Gauguin and Van Gogh reveal that these iconic painters were wild about yellow.

Although it may be the lightest hue on the basic colour wheel, yellow’s not the most timid. Sure, yellow can be soft and sweet, but it can also pack a punch. Designer Matthew Boland of MMB Design in Scottsdale, Arizona, praises the hue’s power in interiors.

“Yellow can be soothing or electric; it is a very versatile colour,” Boland said. “The warmth of yellow and the flexibility of yellow make it extremely appealing to all.”

Mansion Global asked Boland and three other interior designers to share suggestions on decorating with the myriad moods of yellow, one of home décor’s hottest colours in 2025.

Coat a Room in Soft Yellow

“Butter yellow is a beautiful soft colour that doesn’t read feminine, which is why you are seeing it pop up on the men’s and women’s runways. It is a colour that is beautiful with all skin tones and reads neutral when paired with other colours. It is warm and inviting while being whisper quiet. undefined undefined “I love red and butter yellow, they are both warm tones and they pair well together. I also like cobalt blue and a great bright green. Turquoise is also extremely complimentary.

“I love yellow drapery, it catches and reflects light beautifully. I love it for outdoor upholstery as it looks amazing with green plants and grass, and I love it in lacquered furnishings because it changes with the light during the day.”

—Matthew Boland, MMB Studio in Scottsdale, Arizona

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Dust a Room With Yellow Accents

“From butter yellow to citron and canary to goldenrod, this optimistic and cheerful hue lends itself well to interiors and fashion as it ignites a smile and happy mood. The bright yellow in this classic check pattern [pictured] with a white background adds charm to the room.

“Consider adding a pair of yellow velvet pillows to your sofa; a bright yellow throw over your favourite chair, or maybe even just a large bouquet of yellow flowers for your coffee table. (Or try) painting a bathroom cabinet and trim for a fun refresh.”

—Designer Maggie Griffin in Gainesville, Georgia

Balance Bold Yellow With Neutrals Like Grey, Black and Navy

Yellow can be used as an accent colour in just about any single piece of furniture or accessory, or as the focal shade in a space.

“If you use yellow throughout a space or on large surfaces, keep the other colours in the room on the neutral side. It can be difficult to add other shades of yellow or introduce another colour into the space, so keep other furnishings and accessories neutral, allowing the yellow to be the focal point.

“In this room, yellow is the primary colour of the wallpaper, evoking warmth and calm. This yellow wallpaper also reflects natural light, making the room brighter. [Yellow] enhances vintage spaces, such as this older, historic residence, but can also be used in more contemporary designs.

“Grey and white are the primary accent colours because they are subtle, allowing the yellow to shine. But other neutrals, such as black or navy, look beautiful with yellow as well and act as a secondary colour that enhances the yellow tones without taking away from it.”

—Designer Kelley Proxmire in Bethesda, Maryland

Drench a Room in Goldenrod Yellow

“I love using yellow in rooms that need to echo positive energy–– everything from kitchens, laundry and mudrooms, to kid bedrooms and playrooms. Yellow belongs everywhere.

“Pairing yellow with too many bright colours versus balancing it out can make it too loud or overbearing. Use colour theory to ensure balance and harmony with your selections in a space. Examples of this include pairing yellow with its complementary colour, blue (complementary colours are any two colours that are directly opposite each other on the colour wheel) or its analogous colour, orange or green (analogous colours are located next to each other on the colour wheel). Pairing yellow with a colour like red would be more harsh and not as compatible.

“I used this colour, Sherwin-Williams Tassel, in this guest bedroom [pictured] to create a colour-drenched, beautiful oasis that feels like a boutique hotel. We balanced out the bright colours with neutral furnishings and bedding, and bolder colours on the upholstered bed, rug and artwork.”

—Amber Guyton, Blessed Little Bungalow in Atlanta

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