Ian White looks at the importance of the introverted non-exec, how much value they can add to any board but how they – or their contribution – can often be overlooked.

Introverted non-execs? I have to start with a confession that this is a subject I am biased about as I am definitely an introvert. I have done all the psychometrics – for those of you who are Myers Briggs fans I am ‘INFJ’ – and the feedback from friends and colleagues is that I am definitely a quiet, more reflective individual. Of course, as all the psychometrics advise these are just preferences and so that doesn’t mean that I can’t say something or have something to say but I guess I am never going to be the life and soul of the party. In any event, I am not intending to focus on the psychology and psychometrics of introverts (or extroverts) – there are plenty of other articles about those. My focus here is how introverts are value adding to any board but they – or their contribution – can often be overlooked. It is more of practical guidance than looking at the psychology behind introverts.

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