Have you ever felt like you’re not “leader material” just because you’re introverted?
If you’ve ever doubted your ability to lead because you’re not the loudest person in the room, this episode of From a Woman to a Leader is for you.
I used to believe that leadership was only for the bold, the outspoken, the naturally charismatic. But I was wrong. I almost missed out on a leadership opportunity because someone thought I wasn’t charismatic enough.
The truth? Being an introvert is not a weakness. It can actually be your greatest leadership strength—when you know how to harness it.
This week, I had the pleasure of speaking with Sharissa Sebastian Deppen, CEO of Leadership Mastery Alliance, executive coach, TEDx speaker, and Forbes writer, who specializes in helping introverted servant leaders—especially women—build confidence, make an impact, and find work-life balance without burnout.
Together, we explored how introverted leaders can thrive by embracing their natural abilities instead of trying to change who they are.
Why Introverts Make Great Leaders
Many of the best leaders in the world—Barack Obama, Bill Gates, and Susan Cain—are introverts. Yet, society often tells us that to lead, we must be loud, bold, and always in the spotlight.
But introverts bring invaluable strengths to leadership, including:
✔ Deep listening skills – Introverts take in information, process it, and respond thoughtfully, making them great at understanding team dynamics.
✔ Empathy and emotional intelligence – They connect on a deeper level, fostering trust and strong relationships.
✔ Thoughtful decision-making – Rather than reacting impulsively, introverted leaders take the time to make well-informed choices.
✔ Leading by example – Instead of dominating conversations, they lead through actions, inspiring others through their work.
Key Takeaways from My Conversation with Sharissa
During our discussion, Sharissa shared actionable strategies for introverted women who want to succeed as leaders, without changing who they are.
1. Stop Comparing Yourself to Extroverted Leaders
Many women in leadership feel like they need to be more visible, louder, or “more like their extroverted colleagues”to succeed.
“The things that make you different are actually your strengths.” – Sharissa Sebastian Deppen
Instead of trying to change who you are, focus on amplifying your natural strengths like listening, strategic thinking, and deep relationship-building.
2. Find Your Zone of Genius
Your Zone of Genius is where your skills, passions, and natural abilities intersect. When you spend more time in this space, you feel energized rather than drained.
👉 How to find it?
- Reflect on past experiences where you felt accomplished or fulfilled.
- Identify what tasks or responsibilities energize you versus drain you.
- Ask trusted colleagues for feedback on what they see as your strengths.
3. Speak Up in a Way That Works for You
If you struggle to speak up in meetings because you prefer processing information first, that’s okay!
✔ Prepare ahead of time – Request meeting agendas so you have time to formulate your thoughts.
✔ Use written communication – Follow up with an email to share your insights after the meeting.
✔ Build 1:1 relationships – If large meetings feel overwhelming, strengthen your voice through smaller, meaningful conversations.
4. Advocate for Yourself—Without Guilt
As women, we often feel guilty about asking for help or setting boundaries. But leadership isn’t about doing everything alone.
“Saying yes to help allows others to contribute and creates a win-win situation.” – Sharissa Sebastian Deppen
👉 Action Step: If you feel overwhelmed, delegate tasks, ask for support, or hire help if needed. A strong leader knows how to leverage resources effectively.
Final Thoughts: Lead in a Way That Feels Authentic
If you’ve ever questioned whether you can succeed in leadership as an introvert, this episode is your reminder that you absolutely can.
You don’t need to be louder or more extroverted to make an impact. You just need to lead in a way that aligns with who you truly are.
🎧 Listen to the full episode here: https://limorbergman.com/podcast/
🔹 Now, I’d love to hear from you:
💬 What’s one strength you bring to leadership as an introvert? Drop a comment below!
#WomenInTech #Leadership #IntrovertLeadership #WomenLeaders #CareerGrowth #Confidence
About Sharissa:
Sharissa Sebastian Deppen is the CEO of Leadership Mastery Alliance; a company specializing in supporting introverted servant leaders who are women in corporate leadership. She’s a leadership and executive coach with an MBA, MSc in Technology Leadership and her PCC Certification from the International Coaching Federation (ICF), as well as a Myers Briggs Certified Practitioner. She has 15+ years of corporate leadership experience in addition to coaching several Fortune 100 leaders and executives.
She’s also a TEDx speaker and TEDx speaker coach, an award winning international keynote speaker, a writer for Forbes and the Huffington Post, a member of Forbes Coaches Council, a Professor at Southeastern University and an advisory board member at the University of South Florida.
Her many years of experience include helping leaders draw on their God-given strengths and abilities, see their value and be able to bring out the best in themselves and others all while having fun, being fulfilled and not burning out! She’s able to masterfully help them navigate their blind spots while thriving in their zone of genius to take their career and leadership to a level that has a significant impact on themselves, their teams and their organization.
Her clients include leaders and executives at companies such as LinkedIn, Facebook, Google, Amazon, Twitter, Microsoft, Harpo Studios, Bank of America, CNN, The United Nations, Intuit, SalesForce, BP, Fedex, Comcast, Deloitte, Accenture, Keurig Dr. Pepper, Victoria’s Secret, Warner Brothers Studios, US Bank, Coinbase, Ameriprise Financial, Nestle, Virgin, Mars, Slack, Space Force, among others.
Her website:: http://www.leadershipmasteryalliance.com
Email: info@leadershipmasteryalliance.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sharissasebastian/
About Limor Bergman Gross
I’m Limor Bergman Gross, a former Director of Engineering with over 20 years of experience in the tech industry. Today, I’m passionate about mentoring and coaching women in tech, helping them break through barriers and advance their careers.
Through my podcast, From a Woman to a Leader, I share conversations with inspiring women who provide actionable strategies to help you thrive in tech leadership roles.
🎧 Listen to the full episode: limorbergman.com/podcast
🔗 Connect with me:
- Website: limorbergman.com
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/limorbergman/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/limorbergman
- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/LimorBergman
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