Chloe on the power of introverted leadership

I’ve always thought of myself as one of the most introverted people on the planet. Early in my career, I often stayed behind the scenes, avoiding client-facing roles and interactions that seemed daunting.

However, my curiosity and desire to tackle complex challenges led me to embrace opportunities that once seemed beyond my reach. Today, I lead PwC Canada’s Technical Disaster Recovery team. This role puts me in front of clients almost every day, pushing me outside my comfort zone and helping me showcase the unique strengths of introverted leadership.

The Technical Disaster Recovery team was non-existent six months ago. I had to pitch a business case to bring it to life. Despite the terrifying thought of presenting to leadership, I confronted my fears head-on, meticulously preparing, researching and mapping out every detail.

Thankfully, my efforts paid off, and I’m now leading this practice.

While I still get nervous before client meetings, I’ve gradually gained more confidence in my abilities and found a balance that works for me. PwC Canada’s Women in Leadership program, which I completed a few months ago, played a crucial role in enhancing my leadership skills and giving me the confidence to take on this challenge.

For anyone who is shy or introverted like me, my advice is to stay true to yourself. Using introspection, a leader can often bring an exceptional level of preparation and thoughtfulness to drive innovation and collaboration.

To me, International Women’s Day is a time to celebrate the many ways women across all fields have realized incredible achievements. It serves as a reminder that progress is happening and that by cultivating our own authentic leadership style, we can accomplish amazing things.

As someone who once shied away from the spotlight, I now embrace opportunities to lead and inspire others. My journey at PwC Canada has shown me that being true to yourself, finding passion in your work and pushing through discomfort can lead to extraordinary outcomes. 

I encourage all women to pursue their passions and leverage their unique strengths. Embrace who you are and let your authenticity shine through, in everything you do. 

Chloe is a senior manager in our Deals practice, leading the Technical Disaster Recovery team. She also serves as Chair of the Board for Women’s Initiatives for Safer Environments in Ottawa.