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Introvert CEO, is it possible?

I know that intovert CEOs exist, but isn’t the main job of CEO to sell? How do they do that?

  • You can always hire a salesperson. Many online businesses don’t require 1-1 sales. I know many introverts that are successful make a good living running mid sized 5 person online companies.

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  • I’m an introvert CEO with the ability to fake extroversion for short bursts, and I did really well selling but it was very very exhausting. My company ended up not working out but I wouldn’t blame it on my introversion, though there are some areas where I could have sold harder if I hadn’t have needed to recharge. I recommend having someone else to keep you motivated to communicate, or communicate for you, when you go into periods of necessary seclusion. I found my biggest challenge was regularly communicating to and rallying my team, not selling.

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  • Introverts can sell. they excel selling to smart people. Engineering types and people who are detailed oriented. Average consumer products – forget about it. It’ll be too exhausting. Focus on luxury brands and you’ll be fine.

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  • Chief Marketing Officer of IBM writes in her book that she always was introvert. Made 19 years career, now – CEO in another company.

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  • Not the CEO’a job to only sell! Do what makes you happy. It’ll work out. CEO’s Job is to manage the company…NOT sell. You hire someone else for that. You attend various meeting and tell everyone the company is fine.

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  • Introvert CEO reporting.

    Your job is to sell. To users, customers, investors and yes, even your employees. The key is to sell selectively. I work my introversion to advantage.

    For users, we’re not flashy but we have the fastest and clearest response time. Complaint? Comments? Feedback? We’ll get back to you in less than 24hrs, AND you’ll be talking directly with the CEO and all your concerns will be fixed ASAP. Customers? For employees, we don’t do the beer pong culture, but we’ll help you with health insurance, ask about your family and provide 1-on-1 feedback on your performance. Investors are probably the hardest since they demand the most of out a CEO. I recommend regular updates, lots of email/linkedin/follow-ups. Think conversations, not pitching.

    There’s days that I just feel like shit, and that’s networking events/parties/large pitching competitions. I actually feel physically ill and sick. Before pitching: don’t eat anything, drink lots of water, REHEARSE REHEARSE REHEARSE. I tape record myself a week in advance and play the audio every day until I get sick of it. Think about your team. Think that you’re getting on stage for 1min for that $$$$ and they depend on your to make payroll. Just do it.

    Sometimes nothing can help (if you’ve got serious anxiety and going to puke) and then you just have to gracefully exit, recoup and hope next time will be better.

    Good luck!

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