When Quiet Is Misjudged: Introversion, Leadership Aspiration & Wellbeing
From Quietly Visible by Carol Stewart
February 20, 2026 · 35 min
About this episode
This episode discusses the misconceptions about introversion in leadership and the impact of perceived introvert mistreatment on well-being and self-belief.
In this thoughtful and affirming episode of Quietly Visible, host Carol Stewart is joined by Karla Packham-Corteil, an introverted leader, researcher, and leadership development professional with a deep curiosity about what helps people truly thrive at work. Karla shares her personal journey as an “accidental leader” and reflects on how being labelled quiet shaped her confidence from childhood through to senior leadership roles. Drawing on her postgraduate research, she explores how perceived introvert mistreatment – being ignored, overlooked, or dismissed – impacts well-being, leadership self-belief, and aspirations. Together, Carol and Karla challenge common misconceptions about introversion, assertiveness, and leadership. They unpack why many introverted leaders are far more assertive than stereotypes suggest, and why environments that favour extraversion can quietly undermine confidence – even for capable, experienced leaders. Key takeaways from this episode include: - Why being quiet is often misunderstood – and unfairly framed as a weakness - How perceived introvert mistreatment affects well-being and leadership self-belief - The critical role of leadership self-efficacy in…
People in this episode
Host: Carol Stewart
Guest: Karla Packham-Corteil
Topics covered
- introversion
- leadership
- wellbeing
- assertiveness
- psychological safety
- diversity in the workplace
Keywords
- introverted leaders
- leadership aspiration
- confidence
- psychological safety
- assertiveness
- workplace diversity
- well-being
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