Five tips for introverts in project management

The APM Body of Knowledge puts leadership, team management and ethics at the core of successful project delivery. This is especially important for project leaders working in complex environments, where teams often span multiple disciplines and organisations. In these settings, strong leadership, clear communication and mutual respect are vital to building trust and making collaboration truly effective.

Enabling introverts to thrive in what can be a very extrovert-friendly working environment can be tricky to get right for a project manager.

When I first began my career in project management, I was a quiet introvert stepping into a fast-paced and often male-dominated industry. Early on, I was frequently interrupted or overlooked, and I quickly realised that if I wanted to be heard, I would need to adapt. Over time, I became more confident and assertive, but I also started to notice those same dynamics playing out around me.

I saw newer professionals, often people from underrepresented backgrounds, facing the same struggle to find their voice. This experience taught me two key lessons.
First, interruptions are rarely just about impatience; they often stem from deeper dynamics around inclusion and belonging, with some people feeling they must fight for space while others feel naturally entitled to it.

Second, leadership in our field goes far beyond managing tasks and deadlines. It’s about creating the kind of environment I wish I’d had when I started my career: a space where people don’t need to change who they are to contribute, and where every voice has the chance to be heard.

Leaders need to create project cultures where people feel valued, where diverse perspectives inform better decisions and where no one needs to fight to be included. As someone who entered this industry as a quiet introvert, I know first-hand how important this is. It is often in the quieter voices where the most innovative, challenging and essential perspectives lie.

Our responsibility as leaders is to ensure those voices are not drowned out, but amplified. Here is what I’ve learnt as an introvert on how to best navigate the world of projects:

1. Adapt

Large meetings can sometimes feel overwhelming. Instead of fearing them, speak to key stakeholders in advance, gather viewpoints quietly and establish areas of consensus beforehand.

This approach doesn’t only help you visualise and document what you need; it also helps prevent the kind of interruptions and dominance that can exclude quieter voices. By structuring communication intentionally and briefing everyone beforehand, you create a more inclusive environment where people feel heard before they even enter the room.

2. Take time

Introverts often process information deeply, which can make spontaneous discussion daunting. When hosting meetings or workshops, plan ahead: think about the tone, anticipate challenging moments and build in pauses for reflection.

When you’re in someone else’s meeting, don’t feel pressured to respond instantly. It’s OK to say: “I’d like to think about that and come back to you.” In fact, this models healthy communication and shows others that thoughtful contributions are valued as much as quick ones, a key lesson from the leadership and ethics principles within project management.

3. Don’t wait for the perfect words

Many introverts can fall into the trap of overthinking before speaking, especially in environments where conversations move quickly. But, as author Susan Cain reminds us: “We have to err on the side of talking before we feel ready.” In project delivery, waiting for the perfect phrasing can mean losing the moment or the opportunity to influence a discussion.

4. Create boundaries

Block out time for periods of focused, undisturbed work in your calendar. It is important that ‘thinking’ time is prioritised, not only to support productivity, but also to help you lead by example. It signals to your team that it’s OK to balance collaboration with reflection, a crucial lesson as we integrate more technology, data and innovation into project delivery.

5. Embrace the challenge

As an introvert in a fast-paced, extrovert-oriented industry, I’ve had to adapt, learning when to step forward and when to hold space for others. Each moment of discomfort has helped me grow, not by changing who I am, but by broadening how I lead. Seek out situations that stretch your communication skills by facilitating a workshop, speaking at a conference or mentoring a colleague. These experiences build confidence and visibility while allowing you to shape the culture you want to see: one that values every voice, not just the loudest.

Don’t forget to listen to APM Podcast’s episode ‘Introverts in Project Management Speak Out’ on Spotify or Apple Podcasts. Read the winter 2025 edition of Project for more advice on managing interruptions.