A few weeks ago, I took a DISC assessment. This is something I’ve done many times over the years, but this time, the result surprised me. For the first time, my leading trait was extroversion.
It wasn’t wrong, exactly. I can be outgoing. I speak publicly, lead workshops and enjoy connecting with people. But being labeled an extrovert triggered something unexpected: a wave of renewed appreciation for introverts.
Because as I sat with my DISC profile, I realized something important: while I may score as an extrovert on paper, many of the traits I admire most in colleagues and leaders today are distinctly introverted ones. And increasingly, they’re the traits shaping the future of work.
Welcome to – the introvert’s revenge.
The quiet power shift
For years, workplaces have rewarded visibility. Those who jump in the conversation quickly and confidently were considered natural leaders. But today’s environment has flipped that logic.
Hybrid work, constant digital communication, business uncertainty and heightened emotional demands mean that organizations need more than energy and charisma. They need clarity, steadiness and thoughtfulness. In other words: introverted strengths.
As I reflected on my DISC results, half amused, half confused, I found myself admiring colleagues who speak less but say more. The ones who sit quietly in a meeting, listening and synthesizing, then offer a single insight that reframes the whole discussion. The ones who don’t grab attention but command it through calm presence.
In a fast-twitch, fire-drill workplace, introverts are becoming the counterbalance many organizations need.
An undervalued leadership edge
Every team has that one calm person who doesn’t get swept up in false urgency. These individuals:
•Stabilize tense conversations
•Make decisions from logic, not adrenaline
•Observe dynamics others miss
In my own work, I’ve noticed how often people gravitate toward the calm person. Not the loudest, but the steadiest. Their composure quietly shapes culture.
Calm is contagious. A single steady presence can reset the tone of an entire team. In uncertain environments, the professional who stays grounded becomes the emotional thermostat for everyone else.
The ways introverts are thriving
1. Hybrid work favors intentional communication. Influence is built through clarity, writing, preparation and thoughtfulness, not spontaneity. Introverts excel here.
2. Deep thinking is a premium skill. We’re drowning in information and starving for insight. Introverts specialize in the latter.
3. Noise has lost its charm. After years of Slack pings, endless meetings and video-call fatigue, thoughtful brevity is a relief. Quiet leaders create space, not clutter.
4. Psychological safety drives performance. Employees want leaders who listen, notice and respond with empathy. Introverted leaders do this naturally.
Rethinking “extrovert advantage”
I used to believe being extroverted helped me lead. And sometimes it does. But the older I get, and the more chaotic work becomes, the more I admire the professionals who don’t need to fill space to hold authority: The ones who speak deliberately, think before they act, remain grounded when things feel unstable and embody (rather than just perform) leadership.
It’s about recognition
The “introvert’s revenge” isn’t about getting even. It’s about being seen, and valued, for what they’ve always brought to the table.
They’re not winning because extroverts are losing. They’re winning because the world has changed in a way that highlights their strengths.
A final reflection
My DISC assessment told me I am an extrovert. But my admiration for introverted strengths, and my desire to cultivate them, has never been stronger.
If we want workplaces that are thoughtful, humane and resilient, we need the quiet ones more than ever. Maybe the real leadership evolution is learning how to bring a little introvert energy into all of our work, no matter what any assessment says.
This article appears in April SBJ 2026.
Excellent article Kelly!