CHICAGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--How can introverted leaders drive better business results and organizational success by playing to their authentic strengths – versus struggling to be someone they’re not?
That’s the question at the core of a new venture – Shyne Advisors – which is the brainchild of Tom Yorton, the former CEO of Second City Works, the ground-breaking business services arm of the world famous improvisational theatre, The Second City.
“Quiet leaders are exceptional communicators and storytellers when they play to their strengths. But too often, they’re coached to play to someone else’s strengths: those of the extrovert,” said Tom Yorton, Founder and CEO. “I know from experience. It’s hard to communicate confidently when you’re pretending to be someone you’re not,” Yorton added.
Shyne Advisors helps its clients build confidence in three ways. First, they help leaders identify their preferred mode of communication (written, interpersonal or presentational), and rebalance their daily communication strategically around those preferences. Second, they help leaders build and practice new communication skills in tailored, energizing coaching sessions. The third way involves clients working with the Shyne Advisors team to create better, more original leadership communications content.
One example: The introverted CEO who dreads hosting the quarterly townhall meeting may learn that she can boost engagement more authentically through personal handwritten notes and a series of lighthearted videos. The focus is on creating authentic connections versus following unhelpful business communications conventions.
Shyne Advisors draws on Yorton’s deep experience as a marketer and business runner, and his personal understanding of the challenges quiet leaders face in business. It is also informed by his success in building Second City Works, which used the unlikely tools of comedy and improvisation to help more than 5,000 leaders become stronger communicators and collaborators. Yorton also co-authored the top-selling book leadership communications book, Yes, And: How Improvisation Reverses No But Thinking and Improves Creativity and Collaboration.
“We’re inspired by the recent research on the power of introverts, as discussed in Susan Cain’s top-selling book, Quiet, Jennifer Kahnweiler’s Quiet Influence and Heidi Brown’s The Introverted Lawyer,” Yorton added. “We want to build upon these emerging insights and show quiet leaders that they have many more options than they think to communicate and win, their way,” Yorton added.
