I recently came across a passage while reading Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking by Susan Cain.

On page 57 Cain discusses research from Adam Grant

The summary, on introverted and extroverted leaders, is as follows:

Introverts do really well leading initiative takers

Extroverts are better at leading passive workers

I never knew that the leader’s success is possibly related not only to the leader’s own personality but also to the personality or disposition of the leader’s followers.

My favorite quotes on this topic were:

“Because of their inclination to listen to others and lack of interest in dominating social situations, introverts are more likely to hear and implement suggestions. Having benefited from the talents of their followers, they are then likely to motivate them to be even more proactive. Introverted leaders create a virtuous circle of proactivity, in other words.”

“Extroverts on the other hand can be so intent on putting their own stamp on events, that they risk losing others’ good ideas along the way and allowing workers to lapse into passivity. But with their natural ability to inspire, extroverted leaders are better at getting results from more passive workers.”