- Steven Claes – The A+ Introvert
- Posts
- Steven Claes - The A+ Introvert: Silence the Noise, Steer the Room - The Inside-Out Leadership Move
Steven Claes - The A+ Introvert: Silence the Noise, Steer the Room - The Inside-Out Leadership Move
One quick self-check turns introvert calm into team confidence.
Steven Claes
May 24, 2025 • Reading Time: 5 minutes
If someone forwarded this newsletter to you, subscribe here so you don't miss the next one!
Hey there!
Great leaders guide from the inside out.
They notice what’s going on inside first, then choose what to say and do.
I used to rush straight into the infamous fix-it mode.
These days I pause, check my own signals, and move with purpose.
My team feels the difference. Yours will too.
Let’s dive in!
Today’s Focus
Self-check > snap reaction
Feel → Label → Lead
Quiet self-command builds loud trust
Why Inner Radar Wins
Brain research shows naming our feelings calms the limbic system (the fight-or-flight gear).
When you’re calm, the team cues off you. They listen, not panic.
Introverts already look inward.
We just need a simple loop to turn reflection into action.
Mastering others is strength; mastering yourself is true power.
Lao Tzu
The Feel-Label-Lead Cycle
1. Feel (30 sec)
Purpose: Catch the emotion early.
How: Notice jaw, breath, heartbeat.
Why it matters: Body speaks before words.
2. Label (30 sec)
Purpose: Loosen the grip.
How: Say or jot: “I’m tense.”
Why it matters: Naming cools emotion.
3. Lead (60 sec)
Purpose: Act with intent.
How: Ask, “What does the team need?” then listen, clarify, or act.
Why it matters: Intent beats impulse; trust grows.
Quick Proof
When You Get Tough Feedback
You read an email from your boss. Your stomach knots up. You catch yourself thinking, “Did I mess up?”
Feel: That sinking, uneasy feeling in your gut.
Label: “I’m nervous about what comes next.”
Lead: Instead of defending yourself, you say, “Let’s focus on our shared goal.”
Result: The conversation stays calm-and so do you.
When an Urgent Email Lands in Your Inbox
Ping! A subject line screams “URGENT.” Your heart races and your mind jumps to the worst-case scenario.
Feel: Heart pounding, shoulders tense.
Label: “I feel pressured and rushed.”
Lead: Pause. Jot down a quick 3-step. action plan before replying.
Result: You respond with clarity, not a knee-jerk reaction.
When Your Team Scores a Win
You see the project results-success! You feel a lightness in your chest and want to celebrate.
Feel: That warm, proud buzz .
Label: “I’m genuinely proud of the team.”
Lead: You post a shout-out in Slack, tagging everyone who contributed.
Result: The team feels seen, and motivation skyrockets.
Tip: If you’ve ever felt these moments, you’re not alone. Try naming your next feeling in the moment. You might be surprised how much calmer (and clearer) you become.
Quiet Fuel of the Week
Type | Pick | Why it helps |
|---|---|---|
Tool | Mood Meter app. | Quick color grid trains you to name feelings fast. |
Read | Primal Leadership by Daniel Goleman | The importance of emotionally intelligent leadership. |
Watch | 5-min clip “Name It to Tame It” (Dr. Dan Siegel) | A two-step method to calm down during intense emotions. |
Choose one meeting this week.
Run Feel-Label-Lead in the first minute.
Friday: After the exercise, send me a response: “Labeling my mood turned ________ into ________.”
First reply wins a free 30-minute leadership check-in call.
Thank you to everyone who replied last week!
What’s Next
Quiet Influence Tactics.
How introverts sway rooms with smart questions, well-timed silence, and one stealth body cue.
Final Thoughts
I still catch myself reacting on autopilot (tight shoulders, fast words, no pause).
When I stop, name the tension, and choose my next move, the whole room shifts: voices soften, ideas land, and we walk out clearer than we walked in.
Give it a try this week.
Write the word down, breathe once, and decide your next step on purpose.
I’d love to hear what feeling you’ll label first. Hit reply and tell me in one line.
I read every message, and your stories help shape where we go next.
Stay steady, lead strong!
— Steven
How did you like today's newsletter? |
Reply