Many leaders are extroverts. They make rousing speeches. They have charisma that brings followers flocking to their cause. But you don’t have to be an extrovert to be an outstanding leader. Sometimes the quiet leadership of introverts can be just as effective.
Introverts have many qualities that can effectively be channelled into leadership roles. And one of the best examples can be found in the Oscar-winning Spotlight, where Liev Schrieber plays Marty Baron, new editor of the Boston Globe.
Baron demonstrates many of the innate traits that introverts can offer, yet which they may not value in themselves.
He channels these traits into an effective leadership style that helps break the shocking, ground-breaking revelations of systemic child abuse in the Catholic Church. So what are those traits?
Authenticity
In heavily Catholic and baseball-obsessed Boston, Baron is an outsider. He’s Jewish, unmarried and shows little interest in attending Red Sox games. His quiet, studious approach is perhaps the opposite of many people’s expectation of a major newspaper editor.
But Baron never tries to fit in with others’ expectations. He never tries to be anything other than himself. And that authenticity soon garners the respect of his colleagues.
Observation and Perception
Introverts are often skilled at gathering and analysing data. They consider issues carefully, and this gives them insight into problems and potential solutions.
In Spotlight, Baron’s early days at the Globe are unobtrusive. He holds 1:1 meetings with key editorial staff and finds out what they do. At his first editorial meeting there’s no big speech: he simply introduces himself and listens to what’s going on.
Baron observes. And what he observes, is a Boston culture whose major institutions have become too cosy. There’s been a subtle, even unconscious, collusion between institutions like the police, the legal establishment and the press to protect the Catholic Church.
This cosy relationship is summarised by Cardinal Law when he tells Baron that the city flourishes when its great institutions work together. “Personally I’m of the opinion that for a paper to best perform its function, it really needs to stand alone,” Baron responds.
Quiet Determination
At the end of his first editorial meeting, Baron shows he’s not afraid to make big calls. He challenges the paper’s thin coverage of potential child abuse by Catholic priests. He’s seen there’s a bigger story waiting to be investigated – but little appetite so far to challenge the Church.
Baron requests legal proceedings to unseal court documents relating to a recent case. This, his colleagues tell him, will be perceived as ’suing the Church’. “Good to know,” he responds.
Later, reporter Mike Rezendes asks Spotlight editor Robby Robinson if he thinks Baron knows how the Church will react. “I think he does,” Robby says. “But I don’t think he cares.”
Interpersonal Skills
In Spotlight, Baron’s quiet, understated interpersonal skills are particularly effective in balancing the styles of his more extroverted colleagues.
You can see many examples of this in the video compilation below.
For example, when Baron asks the Spotlight team to investigate the Catholic Church, he’s told the team’s success is largely down to them picking their own projects. “Would you consider picking this one?” he asks Robby.
And on the eve of publishing their revelations, accusations fly that the team hadn’t picked up the story as early as it could have. Baron soothes the tension and brings perspective. He reminds his colleagues that journalists spend most of their time ‘stumbling around in the dark’. He focuses them on their achievements today – rather than times in the past where they may have made mistakes.
Baron demonstrates that the quiet leadership of introverts can be hugely effective. It’s hard to imagine a more low key leader, yet his actions garner immediate respect. And he delivers outstanding results.
So like any leader, if you’re an introvert you’re likely to have to develop your skills. But Spotlight shows that you don’t have to change your personality to be effective.
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