Have you ever questioned whether you’re enough to lead—especially in a world that rewards the loudest voice in the room?

For many introverts, the unspoken message is that confidence means being more extroverted. But what if true leadership begins with accepting yourself exactly as you are?

In this episode, certified coach, trainer, and author Karolien Koolhof—founder of Quiet Quality and author of Introverted Leadership—shares how to replace the “I’m not good enough” belief with self-acceptance, purpose, and quiet power. Drawing on global research across cultures, she reveals how affinity bias holds introverts back, and how small, values-based actions can retrain your brain for confidence that lasts.

You’ll learn:

• Why introverted leaders face bias in extrovert-driven workplaces
• The single belief that keeps most introverts stuck—and how to undo it
• How to turn self-criticism into self-compassion
• A simple “bus exercise” to quiet your inner critic
• How to align daily actions with your core values
• Why quiet confidence—not volume—creates sustainable leadership

If you’ve ever been told to speak up, take more space, or change who you are to be successful, this episode will help you redefine leadership on your own terms.

Chapters

00:00 – The bias against quiet leaders

02:00 – Karolien’s introvert childhood in the Netherlands

06:00 – Journalism, innovation, and being told to “be more outspoken”

10:00 – Discovering introversion through MBA research

13:00 – Global study on introverted leadership

15:00 – Affinity bias and why it keeps introverts overlooked

18:00 – Cultural differences in how introversion is viewed

24:00 – Evidence-based coaching and psychology insights

25:30 – The “I’m not good enough” belief

28:00 – The “bus exercise” to reframe your inner critic

30:00 – Living your core values in small, daily steps

35:00 – Redefining neurodiversity and belonging

37:00 – Where to find Karolien and Quiet Quality

Guest Links

🌐 Website: https://quietquality.nl

📘 Book: Introverted Leadership (available on Amazon)

🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karolienkoolhof

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