Who says quiet leaders can’t lead loud rooms?
In this episode of Powerful Introvert, Greg Weinger sits down with Tim Yeo—designer, keynote speaker, and author of The Quiet Achiever—to unpack what it really takes for introverts to lead powerfully in a noisy world.
Tim spent 20+ years climbing the design leadership ranks, from fintech startups to design director at IBM. But he did it without faking extroversion. Now he teaches other “quiet achievers” how to influence, speak up, and get noticed—on their terms.
From navigating small talk to commanding conference stages, Tim’s story is packed with frameworks, mindset shifts, and hard-won insights to help introverted professionals lead with clarity, presence, and calm power.
🎯 Whether you’re leading a team, preparing for public speaking, or struggling to be seen in meetings, this episode offers a roadmap to visibility that doesn’t compromise who you are.
💡 Key Takeaways:
• Quiet ≠ shy—introversion is about stimulation, not fear
• Small talk and networking are learnable skills, not personality traits
• Influence doesn’t require dominance—it requires alignment and trust
• The 4 Ps of introverted leadership: Prepare, Practice, Push, and Presence
• Why one-on-one conversations often beat group meetings for real connection
• Visibility doesn’t have to be live—async video updates can boost your impact
• Leadership is a role, not a personality
• Feedback frameworks help you speak up without conflict
• You don’t have to fake extroversion to be heard
🕒 Episode Breakdown:
(00:00) Meet Tim Yeo and his journey from quiet kid to design leader
(03:00) When introversion becomes a leadership strength
(06:00) Breaking the myth: introverts can’t do public speaking
(10:00) Adapting to Western work culture—and small talk
(13:00) Why Tim wrote The Quiet Achiever
(15:00) Introversion vs. shyness: the key differences
(18:00) Leading cross-functional teams as a quiet professional
(21:00) One-on-one strategy: why quiet leaders thrive here
(25:00) The 4 Ps framework for introverted growth
(30:00) Public speaking tips for introverts—from meetings to conferences
(38:00) Making feedback easier (and more effective)
(43:00) Speaking truth to power—how to influence your boss
(50:00) Visibility without burnout: async video updates
(55:00) Rethinking small talk, networking, and connection
(01:05:00) Final message: Who you are is enough
🔗 Resources & Guest Links:
• Website: thequietachiever.com
• Book: The Quiet Achiever on Amazon, Audible & Spotify
• Course: convinceyourboss.com
• LinkedIn: Tim Yeo
🎧 Listen if you want to:
Build confidence as a quiet professional
Lead meetings with presence—even when you’re not the loudest voice
Learn how top introverted leaders prepare for public speaking
Discover practical frameworks to improve feedback, visibility, and influence
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