The loudest employee in the room gets the most airtime. And sometimes, they’re the most important person in the office.
But what about the introverts in the room? Well, the quietest people can actually be the secret sauce in your organisation.
The term “introvert” goes back to the psychologist Carl Jung in the 1920s, who noticed how people recharge differently. Extroverts feed off the buzz of others, while introverts fuel up by stepping back and recharging their mental batteries alone. Both are important and often misunderstood when considering team dynamics.
Introverts don’t always jump into the spotlight or volunteer first. But that doesn’t mean they’re not paying attention. In fact, introverts tend to be better observers, amazing listeners and thoughtful problem-solvers. Because they tend to think before speaking and build deeper, more loyal relationships.
If managers are looking for employees who get work done without the fanfare of a personality hire, introverted employees are here to help!
Here’s what’s troubling, society favours extroverts. From kindy days when the child who raises their hand first gets praised, to offices where the loudest person gets noticed, it’s easy for introverts to feel overlooked.
In this blog, we’ll unpack what makes introverts tick and why they’re often the unsung heroes in the workplace. We’ll look at some common myths about introverts, spotlight why they make great leaders and offer tips for HR managers to champion them.
One of the biggest misconceptions is that introverts dislike people or social situations. Introverts are just wired differently. They observe before they act, think deeply and carefully weigh their words and ideas before sharing them.
This means their contributions tend to be well thought out and often hit the mark more times than the overly chatty employee, who is probably competing for attention.
Groundbreaking research in 2010 found that introverted employees often receive higher performance ratings from their peers and direct reports. They’re the glue holding things together, but they often get overlooked day-to-day. That’s where HR teams come in: to spot, support, and recognise these silent powerhouses before their contributions fade away.
Also in the new hybrid and remote work era, introverts have even more room to thrive. Working away from constant interruptions helps them focus and recharge. But it can also make it harder for their efforts to be seen. That’s why it’s crucial to create recognition systems that don’t only reward the loudest voices but acknowledge the quiet wins too.
People don’t usually think of leaders as introverted. But they bring a different kind of strength and prowess.
Many famous introverted leaders have shown this. Warren Buffett, Bill Gates, and Marissa Mayer all describe themselves as introverts who succeed by focusing on listening, planning, and executing rather than just showing the jazz hands.
They listen more than they talk, and that listening breeds empathy for employees. Their tendency to think before they act also means they make decisions carefully and strategically, not impulsively. And because they’re not chasing the spotlight, their focus stays firmly on the team and the goal, not on personal glory.
Studies in management research show a bias towards extroverted leaders, but when introverts do lead, their teams often outperform expectations. They excel at building deep, trust-based relationships and empowering others to shine. They’re less likely to be swayed by peer pressure, making decisions grounded in analysis rather than popularity.
For HR, this means expanding the leadership pipeline beyond the obvious extroverted candidates. Introverted leaders bring a quiet strength that can stabilise teams, improve culture, and boost engagement. This is important in today’s workplace, especially where empathic leadership matters more than ever to employees.
Recognising the value introverts bring is one thing, but helping them thrive is another. Here are a few tips you can subtly incorporate to make sure they shine:
At Martian Logic, our HRIS platform is built to help HR managers see beyond the noise and spotlight those who get the job done without fanfare. Whether it’s tracking real-time employee feedback or surfacing the steady performers who hold your teams together, we give you tools to recognise the silent strength in your workforce. Want to uncover the hidden value in your team and create a workplace where everyone shines? Reach out today.