Introverts Can Still Make Effective Leaders

Being an effective leader is challenging. Many times, leadership isn’t born. It’s made. In most situations, leaders beget leaders, which means leadership is learned from other great leaders.

 

In this episode of Knowledge Is Power, Host Brandon Pfluger talked with Carrie McKenzie-Bush, Director of Marketing and Communications, Peerless-AV, on her career, significant learning moments, and how her leadership shaped how B2B companies do business.

“Some of the best mentors, too, are not always your direct supervisors but are in the company where you can watch” -Carrie McKenzie-Bush

Peerless-AV is a premier designer and manufacturer of the highest quality products, including outdoor displays and TVs, LCD video wall systems, complete integrated kiosks, professional carts, and stands.

When it comes to McKenzie-Bush’s leadership style, she said she was lucky to learn from other great leaders. Those leaders have shaped the trajectory of her career, not only with how they managed her but also how they treated others.

“Some of the best mentors, too, are not always your direct supervisors but are in the company where you can watch,” McKenzie-Bush said. She elaborated that she emulates leaders, and even if she might not have a direct mentorship with them, she pays attention to how they behave in the workplace, including with peers and in meetings.

Paying attention to others is a skill that comes naturally to McKenzie-Bush. A natural introvert, observing those around her is one of the best ways to learn, she said. This allows her to pull inspiration and skills from different mentors and leaders.

“Sometimes I need to pull from one mentor’s style in one situation, but I’ll try and emulate another who handled conflict well,” McKenzie-Bush said. “Or, maybe another I watched and delivered unpleasant feedback.”

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