The Introverted Leader » leader

Wise Words from an Introverted Chief Nursing Officer

Jennifer Kahnweiler — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 03:44:22 +0000

I have a special place in my heart for nurses, especially since my older daughter is a pediatric nurse in a children’s hospital. I found the comments from this self- aware Chief Executive, Joyce Ramsey-Coleman of Children’s Hospital to be on point. As a servant leader, she is practicing Push (stretching and growing) by building in face time and using her strength as a thoughtful listener to impact her staff of 2,000.

She is a “real lifer” to look up to! Check out Laura Raine’s excellent piece in Pulse, a pub of the AJC.

http://blogs.ajc.com/atlanta-job-blog/2009/08/25/pulse-quiet-strength/

Tags: extrovert, introvert, leader, Myers Briggs Type Indicator

Is the president an introvert?

Jennifer Kahnweiler — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 02:55:53 +0000

President Obama an introvert? Note what he tells Ed Henry of CNN at his recent press conference. ” I like to know what I am talking about before I speak.” Is that a clue? We already know that he is a great listener. On the other hand, some have commented that it was his way of putting off the question from Henry(about waiting to act on AIG bonuses). What do you think? Is our new President an introverted leader?

http://tiny.cc/8BvMa

Tags: cnn, ed henry, introvert, leader, obama

Bosses who ask for feedback

Jennifer Kahnweiler — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 14:13:43 +0000

If I was an employee again I think I would want to work for this guy – Kevin Sharer, CEO of Amgen.http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/29/business/29corner.html?pagewanted

A sample from his interview in the 3/28/09 NY Times Corner Office piece.

“So I posed several questions to the senior staff: What are the three things you’d like to make sure that we keep? What three things would you like to change? What is it that you would like me to do? What is it you’re afraid I’m going to do? And then, finally: Is there anything else you want to talk about?I talked to the top 150 people in the company one at a time for an hour. I invited them to bring in, if they wished, written responses so I could have them. I took very careful notes. I wasn’t trying to sell anything. I was trying to deeply listen. And in a science-based company, we value data, and this was social data of profound importance. So I synthesized all the answers and I wrote, just before I became C.E.O., here’s what you guys told me and here’s what I think about it, and so here’s our priorities. People were enthusiastic and honest in talking to me, and it also helped me to get to know the top people in the company better. ”

Comment: In my work with introverts I have found that they are successful when they apply their preference for analysis and preparation to people issues. CEO Sharer was able to gain trust and candor by listening. His business strategy hinged on getting this honest feedback.

Another quote: “I’m a very coachable person and I’m sincerely open to and I seek feedback, because that’s the only way that you can grow as a C.E.O., which is a very isolating job. And so if you don’t create mechanisms to get authentic feedback, you won’t. ”

Can you give feedback to your boss? Do you encourage your team to give it to you? Do tell.

Tags: amgen, feedback, introvert, leader, sharer