Surprise! Introverts Actually Make Great Entrepreneurs [Wall Street Journal]

Now, though, business experts and psychologists are starting to see that guidance is wrong. It disregards the unique skills that introverts bring to the table—the ability to focus for long periods, a propensity for balanced and critical thinking, a knack for quietly empowering others—that may make them even better suited for entrepreneurial and business success than extroverts.

As entrepreneurs, introverts succeed because they “create and lead companies from a very focused place,” saysSusan Cain, author of “Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking” and founder of Quiet Revolution, a website for introverts.

Another big plus, she says: Introverts are not interested in leadership for personal glory, and they steer clear of the cult of personality. Their emphasis is on creating something, not on themselves.

Here are some of the traits common to most introverts that make them especially well-suited to entrepreneurship.

1. They crave solitude
2. They don’t need external affirmation
3. They’re better listeners
4. They’re more realistic

Curated from “Why Introverts Make Great Entrepreneurs”