Strength attributes: INDIVIDUALIZATION, RESTORATIVE, STRATEGIC, LEARNER, RELATOR I'm an introverted leader. Does that sound like an oxymoron? If it does, I encourage you to think of one of your quieter colleagues and list 5 of their strengths. My guess is this will be surprisingly easy, even though they may not be outspoken in meetings or participate in the team karaoke challenge. 5 observations I've made about my fabulous introvert family:1) Empathetic Communicators: We need alone time to recharge, but conflating introversion with being antisocial or shy is a misguided stereotype. That said, when I was younger I experienced excruciating shyness and social anxiety. Those struggles helped me become highly empathetic, which in turn helped me develop skills as a facilitator and teacher.2) Big Picture + Detail Orientation: We are extraordinary listeners, observers, problem-solvers, and innovators - our minds are ALWAYS working. Because of this we process information differently and think of things from many perspectives before making decisions, and often catch key details our (beloved) rapid-fire colleagues may miss. Trying to solve a never-ending puzzle while the pieces change shape? Introverts are your best resource, and you can depend on us to rise to the occasion.3) Quiet Leaders: Introverts are patient, strategic leaders - but we aren't the first to verbalize thoughts. We are decisive, but the ways we take action might not be obvious. If your employer explicitly values different leadership styles, that is a gift! If not, can you change the status quo?4) F-U-N-N-Y: Acute powers of observation lend themselves to a fantastic sense of humor!5) Common Introvert Adjectives: My colleagues and clients have described me as thoughtful, compassionate, analytical, meticulous, and trustworthy. I use my introvert superpowers in my work all the time. These traits help me understand equity and inclusion in a nuanced way: By listening to individuals with a diversity of life experiences I have learned when to step forward and when to get out of the way. I also operate from a social justice lens, empowering and connecting people to networking and employment opportunities - strengthening our community by creating economic and educational pathways.I believe in taking initiative, learning from the process, working smarter, and having fun! A personal passion is connecting people to nature as a resource to improve health and wellbeing. I love bringing joy and laughter to work, and I'm glad we're connected!