Steven Claes - The A+ Introvert
@theaplusintrovert.bsky.social
Fuel for Ambitious Introverts | Connector of Talent and Success 💼 | Empowering Businesses to Thrive through People | Coach | Writer | HR leader | Kickstarting the Year as Top Linkedin creator 🌍 (#1 HR)
I'm everywhere except here.
A director sent me a WhatsApp yesterday that broke something open.
She's senior. Talented. Accomplished. But completely disconnected from her work.
"I'm watching my career from the outside." Going through the motions. Present in body, gone in mind.
A director sent me a WhatsApp yesterday that broke something open.
She's senior. Talented. Accomplished. But completely disconnected from her work.
"I'm watching my career from the outside." Going through the motions. Present in body, gone in mind.
November 21, 2025 at 10:00 PM
I'm everywhere except here.
A director sent me a WhatsApp yesterday that broke something open.
She's senior. Talented. Accomplished. But completely disconnected from her work.
"I'm watching my career from the outside." Going through the motions. Present in body, gone in mind.
A director sent me a WhatsApp yesterday that broke something open.
She's senior. Talented. Accomplished. But completely disconnected from her work.
"I'm watching my career from the outside." Going through the motions. Present in body, gone in mind.
Your best introvert is planning their exit.
They just haven't told you yet.
Micromanaging says three things:
"I don't trust you."
"I need control more than results."
"Your process scares me because it's not mine."
For introverts, this kills retention faster than anything else.
They just haven't told you yet.
Micromanaging says three things:
"I don't trust you."
"I need control more than results."
"Your process scares me because it's not mine."
For introverts, this kills retention faster than anything else.
November 20, 2025 at 10:00 PM
Your best introvert is planning their exit.
They just haven't told you yet.
Micromanaging says three things:
"I don't trust you."
"I need control more than results."
"Your process scares me because it's not mine."
For introverts, this kills retention faster than anything else.
They just haven't told you yet.
Micromanaging says three things:
"I don't trust you."
"I need control more than results."
"Your process scares me because it's not mine."
For introverts, this kills retention faster than anything else.
I stopped pretending to be an extrovert.
My career exploded.
Because showing up everywhere wasn't commitment.
It was fear wearing a name tag.
The truth?
You don't advance by being everywhere.
You advance by managing yourself.
What drains introverts in leadership
My career exploded.
Because showing up everywhere wasn't commitment.
It was fear wearing a name tag.
The truth?
You don't advance by being everywhere.
You advance by managing yourself.
What drains introverts in leadership
November 19, 2025 at 10:00 PM
I stopped pretending to be an extrovert.
My career exploded.
Because showing up everywhere wasn't commitment.
It was fear wearing a name tag.
The truth?
You don't advance by being everywhere.
You advance by managing yourself.
What drains introverts in leadership
My career exploded.
Because showing up everywhere wasn't commitment.
It was fear wearing a name tag.
The truth?
You don't advance by being everywhere.
You advance by managing yourself.
What drains introverts in leadership
They told me to fix my introversion.
I fixed my environment instead.
We're introverts. We're not broken, just wired differently.
I spent 20 years as a CHRO watching the same pattern play out.
The loudest voices got heard while the deepest thinkers got ignored.
I fixed my environment instead.
We're introverts. We're not broken, just wired differently.
I spent 20 years as a CHRO watching the same pattern play out.
The loudest voices got heard while the deepest thinkers got ignored.
November 18, 2025 at 10:00 PM
They told me to fix my introversion.
I fixed my environment instead.
We're introverts. We're not broken, just wired differently.
I spent 20 years as a CHRO watching the same pattern play out.
The loudest voices got heard while the deepest thinkers got ignored.
I fixed my environment instead.
We're introverts. We're not broken, just wired differently.
I spent 20 years as a CHRO watching the same pattern play out.
The loudest voices got heard while the deepest thinkers got ignored.
I thought I was too quiet to lead.
Turns out, I was just introverted.
These 10 TED Talks helped me stop overthinking,
start showing up, and build a career on my terms:
Turns out, I was just introverted.
These 10 TED Talks helped me stop overthinking,
start showing up, and build a career on my terms:
November 13, 2025 at 10:00 PM
I thought I was too quiet to lead.
Turns out, I was just introverted.
These 10 TED Talks helped me stop overthinking,
start showing up, and build a career on my terms:
Turns out, I was just introverted.
These 10 TED Talks helped me stop overthinking,
start showing up, and build a career on my terms:
I used to say yes to everything.
Sleep became optional.
Energy hit zero by Tuesday.
And nobody warned me this would happen.
Quiet confidence for introverts starts when you decide your own rules.
Not when you follow everyone else's playbook.
More is not always better.
Sleep became optional.
Energy hit zero by Tuesday.
And nobody warned me this would happen.
Quiet confidence for introverts starts when you decide your own rules.
Not when you follow everyone else's playbook.
More is not always better.
November 11, 2025 at 10:00 PM
I used to say yes to everything.
Sleep became optional.
Energy hit zero by Tuesday.
And nobody warned me this would happen.
Quiet confidence for introverts starts when you decide your own rules.
Not when you follow everyone else's playbook.
More is not always better.
Sleep became optional.
Energy hit zero by Tuesday.
And nobody warned me this would happen.
Quiet confidence for introverts starts when you decide your own rules.
Not when you follow everyone else's playbook.
More is not always better.
A year ago, I helped a friend walk away from a "dream job."
She was ready to sign.
The salary was tempting.
But the signs weren't green.
No salary compensates for feeling drained by 10am.
She was ready to sign.
The salary was tempting.
But the signs weren't green.
No salary compensates for feeling drained by 10am.
November 6, 2025 at 10:00 PM
A year ago, I helped a friend walk away from a "dream job."
She was ready to sign.
The salary was tempting.
But the signs weren't green.
No salary compensates for feeling drained by 10am.
She was ready to sign.
The salary was tempting.
But the signs weren't green.
No salary compensates for feeling drained by 10am.
"You'll never make it to leadership being that quiet."
7 years as CHRO.
Still quiet.
Finally winning.
I used to apologize for being too quiet.
Until I realized: over half of professionals are just like me.
And many of us? We're thriving.
7 years as CHRO.
Still quiet.
Finally winning.
I used to apologize for being too quiet.
Until I realized: over half of professionals are just like me.
And many of us? We're thriving.
October 31, 2025 at 10:00 PM
"You'll never make it to leadership being that quiet."
7 years as CHRO.
Still quiet.
Finally winning.
I used to apologize for being too quiet.
Until I realized: over half of professionals are just like me.
And many of us? We're thriving.
7 years as CHRO.
Still quiet.
Finally winning.
I used to apologize for being too quiet.
Until I realized: over half of professionals are just like me.
And many of us? We're thriving.
Introverts who embrace authenticity see faster career growth.
Why?
Because when you stop draining your battery being someone else,
you finally have energy for what matters.
Why?
Because when you stop draining your battery being someone else,
you finally have energy for what matters.
October 30, 2025 at 10:00 PM
Introverts who embrace authenticity see faster career growth.
Why?
Because when you stop draining your battery being someone else,
you finally have energy for what matters.
Why?
Because when you stop draining your battery being someone else,
you finally have energy for what matters.
Who is aligned?
October 29, 2025 at 10:00 PM
Who is aligned?
One tree can produce a million matchsticks.
Yet one matchstick can burn a million trees.
Same with your thoughts.
One can build your entire mindset.
Yet one negative thought can burn it all down.
Yet one matchstick can burn a million trees.
Same with your thoughts.
One can build your entire mindset.
Yet one negative thought can burn it all down.
October 28, 2025 at 10:00 PM
One tree can produce a million matchsticks.
Yet one matchstick can burn a million trees.
Same with your thoughts.
One can build your entire mindset.
Yet one negative thought can burn it all down.
Yet one matchstick can burn a million trees.
Same with your thoughts.
One can build your entire mindset.
Yet one negative thought can burn it all down.
Your introvert brain isn't broken.
It's wired for strategic advantage.
Stop calling this weakness:
>Needing time to think before speaking
>Processing deeply instead of reacting
>Analyzing while others talk
That's not hesitation. That's strategic processing.
The neuroscience:
It's wired for strategic advantage.
Stop calling this weakness:
>Needing time to think before speaking
>Processing deeply instead of reacting
>Analyzing while others talk
That's not hesitation. That's strategic processing.
The neuroscience:
October 24, 2025 at 9:00 PM
Your introvert brain isn't broken.
It's wired for strategic advantage.
Stop calling this weakness:
>Needing time to think before speaking
>Processing deeply instead of reacting
>Analyzing while others talk
That's not hesitation. That's strategic processing.
The neuroscience:
It's wired for strategic advantage.
Stop calling this weakness:
>Needing time to think before speaking
>Processing deeply instead of reacting
>Analyzing while others talk
That's not hesitation. That's strategic processing.
The neuroscience:
Your "inconsistent" productivity?
That's called being human.
> Embrace the gray areas
> Work with your wiring
> Stop apologizing for being complex
That's called being human.
> Embrace the gray areas
> Work with your wiring
> Stop apologizing for being complex
October 23, 2025 at 9:00 PM
Your "inconsistent" productivity?
That's called being human.
> Embrace the gray areas
> Work with your wiring
> Stop apologizing for being complex
That's called being human.
> Embrace the gray areas
> Work with your wiring
> Stop apologizing for being complex
Most people stare at the wrong line.
They replay the red.
Every dip.
Every drop.
Every rejection.
But zoom out.
That awkward meeting? A pixel in your career.
That failed project? A blip in your journey.
That crushing rejection? One data point among thousands.
They replay the red.
Every dip.
Every drop.
Every rejection.
But zoom out.
That awkward meeting? A pixel in your career.
That failed project? A blip in your journey.
That crushing rejection? One data point among thousands.
October 22, 2025 at 9:00 PM
Most people stare at the wrong line.
They replay the red.
Every dip.
Every drop.
Every rejection.
But zoom out.
That awkward meeting? A pixel in your career.
That failed project? A blip in your journey.
That crushing rejection? One data point among thousands.
They replay the red.
Every dip.
Every drop.
Every rejection.
But zoom out.
That awkward meeting? A pixel in your career.
That failed project? A blip in your journey.
That crushing rejection? One data point among thousands.
Emotions don't knock before entering.
Joy at 3 AM.
Grief at lunch.
Anger in traffic.
Most of us try to be the bouncer.
Block the "bad" ones. Chase the "good" ones.
Exhausting.
Then my 6-year-old niece was crying over something small.
Her mom said "Stop being sad."
Joy at 3 AM.
Grief at lunch.
Anger in traffic.
Most of us try to be the bouncer.
Block the "bad" ones. Chase the "good" ones.
Exhausting.
Then my 6-year-old niece was crying over something small.
Her mom said "Stop being sad."
October 21, 2025 at 9:00 PM
Emotions don't knock before entering.
Joy at 3 AM.
Grief at lunch.
Anger in traffic.
Most of us try to be the bouncer.
Block the "bad" ones. Chase the "good" ones.
Exhausting.
Then my 6-year-old niece was crying over something small.
Her mom said "Stop being sad."
Joy at 3 AM.
Grief at lunch.
Anger in traffic.
Most of us try to be the bouncer.
Block the "bad" ones. Chase the "good" ones.
Exhausting.
Then my 6-year-old niece was crying over something small.
Her mom said "Stop being sad."
It's Friday at 4 PM.
Your best performer just declined the team happy hour.
Again.
Your best performer just declined the team happy hour.
Again.
October 17, 2025 at 9:00 PM
It's Friday at 4 PM.
Your best performer just declined the team happy hour.
Again.
Your best performer just declined the team happy hour.
Again.
"You need to network more," they said.
Then I became CHRO with 5 contacts.
Small circle. Big advantage.
Then I became CHRO with 5 contacts.
Small circle. Big advantage.
October 15, 2025 at 9:00 PM
"You need to network more," they said.
Then I became CHRO with 5 contacts.
Small circle. Big advantage.
Then I became CHRO with 5 contacts.
Small circle. Big advantage.
"Be more strategic."
That's what my boss kept saying.
But no one explained what it actually meant.
Twenty years ago, I was the ambitious introvert:
Crushing tasks. Exceeding targets. Getting nowhere.
Then my mentor pulled me aside:
"You're winning battles—but losing the war."
That hit me hard.
That's what my boss kept saying.
But no one explained what it actually meant.
Twenty years ago, I was the ambitious introvert:
Crushing tasks. Exceeding targets. Getting nowhere.
Then my mentor pulled me aside:
"You're winning battles—but losing the war."
That hit me hard.
October 13, 2025 at 9:00 PM
"Be more strategic."
That's what my boss kept saying.
But no one explained what it actually meant.
Twenty years ago, I was the ambitious introvert:
Crushing tasks. Exceeding targets. Getting nowhere.
Then my mentor pulled me aside:
"You're winning battles—but losing the war."
That hit me hard.
That's what my boss kept saying.
But no one explained what it actually meant.
Twenty years ago, I was the ambitious introvert:
Crushing tasks. Exceeding targets. Getting nowhere.
Then my mentor pulled me aside:
"You're winning battles—but losing the war."
That hit me hard.
66% of introverts stay silent when agendas arrive late.
I was one of them for 10 years.
Until I built a system introverts could actually use ↓
#Leadership
I was one of them for 10 years.
Until I built a system introverts could actually use ↓
#Leadership
October 10, 2025 at 9:00 PM
66% of introverts stay silent when agendas arrive late.
I was one of them for 10 years.
Until I built a system introverts could actually use ↓
#Leadership
I was one of them for 10 years.
Until I built a system introverts could actually use ↓
#Leadership
People judge your coal.
They can't see your diamond.
"Don't judge a person's future based
on their present conditions, because time has the
power to transform black coal into a shiny diamond."
They can't see your diamond.
"Don't judge a person's future based
on their present conditions, because time has the
power to transform black coal into a shiny diamond."
October 9, 2025 at 9:00 PM
People judge your coal.
They can't see your diamond.
"Don't judge a person's future based
on their present conditions, because time has the
power to transform black coal into a shiny diamond."
They can't see your diamond.
"Don't judge a person's future based
on their present conditions, because time has the
power to transform black coal into a shiny diamond."
