Why Introverts Make Great Entrepreneurs

Introverts make exceptional entrepreneurs. In fact, a survey of entrepreneurs in the UK found that entrepreneurs were more likely to identify as introverts than extroverts. While only 15% said they were extroverts, a massive 36% identified themselves as introverts. The rest fell somewhere between introversion and extroversion.

This data shows that introverts make great entrepreneurs, but it doesn’t tell us why they make great entrepreneurs. In the article below, we’ll share twelve reasons why introverts make great entrepreneurs.

1. Introverts are great at working alone.

Entrepreneurs often spend a lot of time alone. Even when they’re working with other entrepreneurs to get an idea off the ground, the hard work of building a business usually requires a lot of solitary innovation.

Introverts have no problem with alone time. They’re content working alone on projects. Instead of craving conversations with others, they thrive in work environments that allow them to spend a lot of time alone.

Many entrepreneurs face loneliness, since the road to entrepreneurial success is a long and lonely one. While introverts aren’t immune to feeling lonely, they’re less likely to feel the negative effects of spending so much time alone.

Entrepreneurs need to be able to spend a lot of time researching, planning, and completing tasks alone. Many of these tasks require a lot of attention to detail, something that many introverted personality types do well.

2. Introverts are good at listening to others.

Listening to others is an important skill to have when you’re starting your own business. Introverts tend to be great listeners, giving them all the information they need to build a thriving business. Their listening skills also help them relate to customers and employees.

For example, introverts tend to listen to others to understand their viewpoint instead of listening just so they can respond. When a customer or employee is upset about something, an introvert will listen to them and do their best to understand the other person’s frustration.

People like to feel heard, especially when they’ve had a negative interaction with a business. Introverts are able to translate their listening skills into business success. Instead of talking too much, they listen to others.

Their listening skills are one of the many things that make introverts gifted entrepreneurs. If you’re looking for other ways to influence others, Quiet Influence by Jennifer B. Kahnweiler is an excellent book that helps introverts leverage their strengths to make a difference in the world around them.

3. Introverts consider others’ ideas instead of only their own.

Because introverts are such gifted listeners, they’re also great at using feedback to improve themselves and their businesses. While some entrepreneurs allow their egos to crowd out any contrary opinions, introverts are less likely to fall into this trap.

When an introvert gets feedback (even if it’s not the kind of feedback they want), they’ll carefully consider that feedback. If their independent consideration and extensive research conclude that the other person’s idea is a good one, they’ll probably incorporate it into their business plan.

Even when introverts don’t like an idea or suggestion, they’re likely to think it through to its logical conclusion. Instead of discarding suggestions the moment they arrive, introverts carefully consider every option.

While the early days of building a business are a largely solitary act, entrepreneurs eventually have to learn how to manage other people. Listening to suggestions and incorporating their subordinates’ ideas make introverts much-loved and well-respected employers.

4. Introverts have great observational skills.

Since introverts spend less time talking and more time listening, they tend to be keen observers of the world around them. They spend so much time analyzing their thoughts and actions that they’re better able to understand the motivations of others.

Most entrepreneurs know that when starting a business, it’s important to create a product that solves a problem for buyers. Introverts are particularly adept at innovation because of their great observational skills.

While not all introverts end up being entrepreneurs, the skills of a great entrepreneur are the same skills that many introverts already have. Their ability to observe the world around them and create solutions to common problems make them particularly qualified to start a business of their own.

5. Introverts love to learn.

Most introverts love to learn. Building a business requires constant learning and growth. What started as a basement operation can quickly turn into a multi-million-dollar company. While most entrepreneurs have the skills needed to come up with an idea and bring it to market, some struggle when the demands of the business grow beyond the walls of their home.

Fortunately, introverts love to learn. They have the patience to sit and invest in their future success. Most introverts enjoy reading and learning, whether that’s through books, podcasts, or online articles. This thirst for information and growth will serve them well as they expand their business.

Beth Beulow published a book titled The Introvert Entrepreneur: Amplify Your Strengths and Create Success on Your Own Terms. While introverts are great at learning the information they need, this book offers a comprehensive overview of the strengths you’ll need to succeed as an introverted entrepreneur.

6. Introverts are gifted leaders.

Introverts make great leaders. While most budding entrepreneurs focus on innovation, long-term success will depend on an entrepreneur’s ability to lead. There are a lot of reasons why introverts make great leaders, seven of which we cover in our article on the topic.

Although people tend to associate extroverts and leadership, the truth is that many of the traits more commonly found in introverts lend to a leader’s success. Introverts are gifted listeners who build close connections with people. They are trustworthy and humble, bridging the gap between them and their employees.

Since introverts work hard to understand others, they know how to best motivate them. Since every person is motivated by different things, they need a leader that’s willing to listen and implement new ideas. Introverts manage to be that kind of leader when they build their own businesses.

7. Introverts would rather let their work speak for itself.

Extroverts are great at giving flashy speeches and winning people over with their charm. While introverts can certainly turn on the charm, they prefer to let their work speak for them. Instead of looking for attention from others, they want to see their business flourish.

Introverts are passionate about using their big ideas to create something special. While other personality types might be more interested in the approval of others, introverts tend to care less about what others are thinking. Since they prefer their own company, their opinions of themselves and their work often matter the most.

This makes them gifted business owners, since they’ll care more about producing a quality product than whether or not they’re getting praised for their work. Recognition has never been an introvert’s biggest priority (although they don’t mind it when it happens).

8. Introverts don’t need the affirmation of a boss to feel successful.

Not only do they let their work do the talking for them, but introverts don’t need external affirmation to feel like they’re successful. While some people need affirmation from an employer to let them know they’re on the right track, introverts don’t typically need external affirmation.

Many introverted personality types are self-assured and independent. That makes them ideal for a job where they’ll be responsible for holding themselves accountable. They won’t get a “good job” from a boss, since they’re their own boss!

Introverts usually rely on their own inner voice to determine whether they’re doing a good job or not. While they don’t mind working for someone else, they are also perfectly satisfied working in roles where they don’t regularly receive pats on the back for a job well done.

When an introvert believes in their idea, they don’t let anything stop them from seeing it to fruition. If you’re an introvert with a business idea, nothing will stand between you and the success of your business. Your self-assurance will keep you motivated more than any pep talk or performance review!

9. Introverts don’t talk too much.

Have you ever tried interrupting an extrovert? We talked to one introvert who shared a story about how he and his wife were at a couples’ retreat. Their “mentor” for the weekend was a loud extrovert who bulldozed over everyone else.

Even though his wife was an extrovert, this even louder extrovert made it impossible for her to get a word in the entire weekend! Never mind the poor introvert, who never managed to say anything during any “conversation” with their mentor.

An introvert’s ability to listen is an asset for their entrepreneurial dreams. Instead of powering through to the next idea that pops into their head, introverts are great at making sure everyone has had an opportunity to speak up.

Introverts listen more than they speak. Because of their great listening skills, people are more likely to speak when they have something to say. Introverts don’t like speaking up unless they have something valuable to add. That means they won’t fill the air with worthless words.

Unfortunately, talking is an important part of networking while building a business. For introverts who need a little more help navigating networking conversations, D. A. Benton’s book, An Introvert’s Guide to Networking: Practical Tools to Leverage Your Strengths and Expand your Network, is a great read. Best of all, it’s a recently released book so the author’s suggestions are up-to-date with the modern networking landscape.

10. Introverts are humble.

Humility is an underrated business skill, but one that will help introverts navigate the ups and downs of entrepreneurship. Business owners need humility, since admitting when they’ve made a mistake allows them to bridge the gap between themselves and disgruntled employees or unsatisfied customers.

Introverts aren’t afraid to admit it when they messed up. That goes a long way in building positive relationships with others. It also helps for building a business. No one wants to work for someone who isn’t able to see or confess their flaws.

Their humility is one of the things that attracts people to introverts. Since they’re typically so humble, people can’t help but notice when they speak up to promote their business. Humility becomes an essential part of who they are as business owners.

11. Introverts are realists with an uncanny ability to remain objective.

While introverts are often characterized as silent dreamers, that isn’t always the case. While their internal monologues and big dreams motivate them, they’re also particularly adept at seeing a situation for what it is.

Introverts spend so much time thinking about their thoughts, emotions, and actions. That means that they have a deep understanding of their abilities. Although they dream big, they are realistic enough to know what dreams are achievable and which ones need to go unreached.

Since they’re realistic about their abilities and able to remain objective, they tend to respond to situations in healthier ways. As business leaders, this means they won’t get so wrapped up in interpersonal drama that they forget what needs to be done.

12. Introverts are great planners.

Entrepreneurs need to be successful planners or else their businesses will never grow. Since introverts are comfortable spending long periods of time alone, they’re also comfortable spending time alone to plan out their business’ route to success.

Since introverts take time to carefully plan their steps, they’re more likely to make good decisions. They can combine their market research and critical thinking skills to come up with creative solutions for their businesses.

Instead of getting distracted by the latest trend or short-term diversion, they’re able to look at the big picture and plan for the future. Introverts are great at creating carefully crafted business plans that combine short-term and long-term goals.

While collaboration is important for larger businesses, the early days of launching a business involve spending a lot of time figuring things out on your own. When they apply themselves to this sort of planning, many introverts discover that they have a great gift for building business strategies.