It’s often said that “a company is only as good as its people” as the success of any business relies mostly on the strengths of its employees. That’s why you should be very selective when it comes to choosing your team members. When choosing the right candidates, employers sometimes overlook introverted candidates believing that only extroverts can be successful in any position, and  that they won’t be able to add value to the company.

Shyness, lack of self-confidence, and poor social skills are some of the common misconceptions that are associated with being introverted, when in fact, introverts can outdo their peers in certain positions. ZenHR highlights some characteristics of introverts that make them great candidates for your company and how can you as a leader unlock their potential.

1. They’re Great Listeners

Extroverts tend to do most of the talking in meetings and conversations, while introverts take in the information and sort through it in their own heads without rushing into giving their opinion. But what really sets introverts apart from extroverts is that they are great listeners! This makes their colleagues feel more comfortable around them and they often confide in them.

2. They’re Creative and Innovative

Introverts are naturally quiet, focused, and observant. They tend to take their time to observe and analyze everything around them in order to come up with creative and out of the box solutions. This doesn’t mean that extroverts aren’t creative but alone time is something most introverts prioritize, which gives them more space to come up with creative breakthroughs and  ideas.

3. They Don’t Need Supervision

Introverts can work independently and usually require minimal supervision. Due to their risk-averse personality, they tend to follow instructions to the dot, and managers don’t have to tell them what to do all the time. This trait reduces the time that managers need to supervise them and allows them to focus on more important tasks.

4. They Build Deeper Relationships with People

Introverts prefer to have a few quality relationships over quantity. They don’t allow everyone and anyone into their world, so the relationships they form are usually more deep and meaningful. As a result, an introvert in a senior position is more likely to be selective when it comes to hiring decisions and is more inclined to choose quality candidates for your vacancies.

Haneen Ibrahim

Haneen Ibrahim is the Head of Communications at ZenHR, the award-winning HR Software, with a strong passion for HR. She creates engaging blog and social media content on HR topics, cutting-edge trends, and valuable tips for businesses and HR professionals.