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)
Which moment today will you actually be in?
♻️ Share if you've felt that "everywhere except here" feeling
♻️ Share if you've felt that "everywhere except here" feeling
November 21, 2025 at 10:00 PM
Which moment today will you actually be in?
♻️ Share if you've felt that "everywhere except here" feeling
♻️ Share if you've felt that "everywhere except here" feeling
Work matters again.
The childhood magic wasn't about having no responsibilities.
It was about being fully in each moment.
You still have that.
You've just buried it under mental time travel.
Your deep thinking is a strength.
Your presence is the magic.
The childhood magic wasn't about having no responsibilities.
It was about being fully in each moment.
You still have that.
You've just buried it under mental time travel.
Your deep thinking is a strength.
Your presence is the magic.
November 21, 2025 at 10:00 PM
Work matters again.
The childhood magic wasn't about having no responsibilities.
It was about being fully in each moment.
You still have that.
You've just buried it under mental time travel.
Your deep thinking is a strength.
Your presence is the magic.
The childhood magic wasn't about having no responsibilities.
It was about being fully in each moment.
You still have that.
You've just buried it under mental time travel.
Your deep thinking is a strength.
Your presence is the magic.
5. Visualise tomorrow for 2 minutes
See it clearly.
Then let it go completely.
I shared these with another introvert leader last month.
Her message three weeks later: "I'm listening instead of planning my answer."
Ideas flow naturally now.
Decisions feel clearer.
See it clearly.
Then let it go completely.
I shared these with another introvert leader last month.
Her message three weeks later: "I'm listening instead of planning my answer."
Ideas flow naturally now.
Decisions feel clearer.
November 21, 2025 at 10:00 PM
5. Visualise tomorrow for 2 minutes
See it clearly.
Then let it go completely.
I shared these with another introvert leader last month.
Her message three weeks later: "I'm listening instead of planning my answer."
Ideas flow naturally now.
Decisions feel clearer.
See it clearly.
Then let it go completely.
I shared these with another introvert leader last month.
Her message three weeks later: "I'm listening instead of planning my answer."
Ideas flow naturally now.
Decisions feel clearer.
2. Pick 3 meetings to be fully in
Quality beats showing up everywhere.
3. Solo walks in nature.
No podcasts. No calls. No agenda.
You and the present moment.
4. Box breathing between tasks
4 counts in, hold 4, out 4, pause 4.
Resets your nervous system.
Quality beats showing up everywhere.
3. Solo walks in nature.
No podcasts. No calls. No agenda.
You and the present moment.
4. Box breathing between tasks
4 counts in, hold 4, out 4, pause 4.
Resets your nervous system.
November 21, 2025 at 10:00 PM
2. Pick 3 meetings to be fully in
Quality beats showing up everywhere.
3. Solo walks in nature.
No podcasts. No calls. No agenda.
You and the present moment.
4. Box breathing between tasks
4 counts in, hold 4, out 4, pause 4.
Resets your nervous system.
Quality beats showing up everywhere.
3. Solo walks in nature.
No podcasts. No calls. No agenda.
You and the present moment.
4. Box breathing between tasks
4 counts in, hold 4, out 4, pause 4.
Resets your nervous system.
→ Wins feel empty because you missed them happening
→ Energy drains faster than it refills
The magic didn't disappear.
It's buried under tomorrow's worries.
C/ 5 Ways to Come Back
1. Morning mindful journaling
Write for 5 minutes about now.
Not yesterday. Not tomorrow. Now.
→ Energy drains faster than it refills
The magic didn't disappear.
It's buried under tomorrow's worries.
C/ 5 Ways to Come Back
1. Morning mindful journaling
Write for 5 minutes about now.
Not yesterday. Not tomorrow. Now.
November 21, 2025 at 10:00 PM
→ Wins feel empty because you missed them happening
→ Energy drains faster than it refills
The magic didn't disappear.
It's buried under tomorrow's worries.
C/ 5 Ways to Come Back
1. Morning mindful journaling
Write for 5 minutes about now.
Not yesterday. Not tomorrow. Now.
→ Energy drains faster than it refills
The magic didn't disappear.
It's buried under tomorrow's worries.
C/ 5 Ways to Come Back
1. Morning mindful journaling
Write for 5 minutes about now.
Not yesterday. Not tomorrow. Now.
Overthinking isn't the same as thinking deeply. Mental rehearsals aren't real preparation. And living in your head isn't self-awareness, it's just absence.
B/ Why Work Feels Flat
When you're never here:
→ Work becomes boxes to tick, not work you care about
→ Meetings blur together
B/ Why Work Feels Flat
When you're never here:
→ Work becomes boxes to tick, not work you care about
→ Meetings blur together
November 21, 2025 at 10:00 PM
Overthinking isn't the same as thinking deeply. Mental rehearsals aren't real preparation. And living in your head isn't self-awareness, it's just absence.
B/ Why Work Feels Flat
When you're never here:
→ Work becomes boxes to tick, not work you care about
→ Meetings blur together
B/ Why Work Feels Flat
When you're never here:
→ Work becomes boxes to tick, not work you care about
→ Meetings blur together
Research backs what I've seen for 20 years. Mindful employees report significantly less stress, better focus, and more creative ideas.
But here's what nobody tells you:
But here's what nobody tells you:
November 21, 2025 at 10:00 PM
Research backs what I've seen for 20 years. Mindful employees report significantly less stress, better focus, and more creative ideas.
But here's what nobody tells you:
But here's what nobody tells you:
You catch:
• Every face in that meeting
• What wasn't said in the email
• How that comment might land wrong
• Why that strategy won't work
Life's happening right now. But, you're somewhere else.
• Every face in that meeting
• What wasn't said in the email
• How that comment might land wrong
• Why that strategy won't work
Life's happening right now. But, you're somewhere else.
November 21, 2025 at 10:00 PM
You catch:
• Every face in that meeting
• What wasn't said in the email
• How that comment might land wrong
• Why that strategy won't work
Life's happening right now. But, you're somewhere else.
• Every face in that meeting
• What wasn't said in the email
• How that comment might land wrong
• Why that strategy won't work
Life's happening right now. But, you're somewhere else.
That's the introvert trap.
We live in our heads. We replay yesterday's conversations. Rehearse tomorrow's meetings. Run through every possible outcome.
Our strength becomes our prison.
A/ The Present-Moment Problem
Introverts notice everything. But noticing isn't the same as being there.
We live in our heads. We replay yesterday's conversations. Rehearse tomorrow's meetings. Run through every possible outcome.
Our strength becomes our prison.
A/ The Present-Moment Problem
Introverts notice everything. But noticing isn't the same as being there.
November 21, 2025 at 10:00 PM
That's the introvert trap.
We live in our heads. We replay yesterday's conversations. Rehearse tomorrow's meetings. Run through every possible outcome.
Our strength becomes our prison.
A/ The Present-Moment Problem
Introverts notice everything. But noticing isn't the same as being there.
We live in our heads. We replay yesterday's conversations. Rehearse tomorrow's meetings. Run through every possible outcome.
Our strength becomes our prison.
A/ The Present-Moment Problem
Introverts notice everything. But noticing isn't the same as being there.
How have you handled micromanagers without burning bridges?
♻️ Share if you care
♻️ Share if you care
November 20, 2025 at 10:00 PM
How have you handled micromanagers without burning bridges?
♻️ Share if you care
♻️ Share if you care
Turnover among introverted leaders dropped 60%.
Same deadlines, better quality, and zero hand-holding required.
Because when you trust people to do the work their way, they deliver.
Great leaders trust, then step back.
Micromanaging says everything about the manager and nothing about you.
Same deadlines, better quality, and zero hand-holding required.
Because when you trust people to do the work their way, they deliver.
Great leaders trust, then step back.
Micromanaging says everything about the manager and nothing about you.
November 20, 2025 at 10:00 PM
Turnover among introverted leaders dropped 60%.
Same deadlines, better quality, and zero hand-holding required.
Because when you trust people to do the work their way, they deliver.
Great leaders trust, then step back.
Micromanaging says everything about the manager and nothing about you.
Same deadlines, better quality, and zero hand-holding required.
Because when you trust people to do the work their way, they deliver.
Great leaders trust, then step back.
Micromanaging says everything about the manager and nothing about you.
In 20 years as a CHRO, I've watched this pattern play out dozens of times.
One company I worked with broke the cycle with a simple shift.
Outcome accountability instead of process control.
Leaders set the goal, and teams chose how to get there.
The impact was immediate.
One company I worked with broke the cycle with a simple shift.
Outcome accountability instead of process control.
Leaders set the goal, and teams chose how to get there.
The impact was immediate.
November 20, 2025 at 10:00 PM
In 20 years as a CHRO, I've watched this pattern play out dozens of times.
One company I worked with broke the cycle with a simple shift.
Outcome accountability instead of process control.
Leaders set the goal, and teams chose how to get there.
The impact was immediate.
One company I worked with broke the cycle with a simple shift.
Outcome accountability instead of process control.
Leaders set the goal, and teams chose how to get there.
The impact was immediate.
We need deep work.
Focus without constant interruption and mental space to think through complex problems.
Micromanaging destroys all three, and it's why your quiet top performers leave first.
No drama, no warnings.
They're just gone.
Focus without constant interruption and mental space to think through complex problems.
Micromanaging destroys all three, and it's why your quiet top performers leave first.
No drama, no warnings.
They're just gone.
November 20, 2025 at 10:00 PM
We need deep work.
Focus without constant interruption and mental space to think through complex problems.
Micromanaging destroys all three, and it's why your quiet top performers leave first.
No drama, no warnings.
They're just gone.
Focus without constant interruption and mental space to think through complex problems.
Micromanaging destroys all three, and it's why your quiet top performers leave first.
No drama, no warnings.
They're just gone.
♻ Repost to help introverts: visibility isn't everything. Intention is.
November 19, 2025 at 10:00 PM
♻ Repost to help introverts: visibility isn't everything. Intention is.
→ Real leadership models rest, not just productivity.
You can build a career through constant performance.
Or sustainable success through intentional leadership.
One burns you out by Wednesday.
The other grows even when you step back.
You can build a career through constant performance.
Or sustainable success through intentional leadership.
One burns you out by Wednesday.
The other grows even when you step back.
November 19, 2025 at 10:00 PM
→ Real leadership models rest, not just productivity.
You can build a career through constant performance.
Or sustainable success through intentional leadership.
One burns you out by Wednesday.
The other grows even when you step back.
You can build a career through constant performance.
Or sustainable success through intentional leadership.
One burns you out by Wednesday.
The other grows even when you step back.
→ I went from performing to leading authentically and my impact multiplied.
→ The shift? Self-management became non-negotiable.
7. Ignoring rest kills performance
Protecting solitude fuels it.
→ Introverts need quiet to recharge. Ignoring that is running on empty.
→ The shift? Self-management became non-negotiable.
7. Ignoring rest kills performance
Protecting solitude fuels it.
→ Introverts need quiet to recharge. Ignoring that is running on empty.
November 19, 2025 at 10:00 PM
→ I went from performing to leading authentically and my impact multiplied.
→ The shift? Self-management became non-negotiable.
7. Ignoring rest kills performance
Protecting solitude fuels it.
→ Introverts need quiet to recharge. Ignoring that is running on empty.
→ The shift? Self-management became non-negotiable.
7. Ignoring rest kills performance
Protecting solitude fuels it.
→ Introverts need quiet to recharge. Ignoring that is running on empty.
5. Networking everywhere scatters influence
Showing up intentionally builds it.
→ Career advancement for introverts: be present where it matters, invisible where it doesn't.
6. Chasing visibility creates exhaustion
Managing energy creates resilience.
Showing up intentionally builds it.
→ Career advancement for introverts: be present where it matters, invisible where it doesn't.
6. Chasing visibility creates exhaustion
Managing energy creates resilience.
November 19, 2025 at 10:00 PM
5. Networking everywhere scatters influence
Showing up intentionally builds it.
→ Career advancement for introverts: be present where it matters, invisible where it doesn't.
6. Chasing visibility creates exhaustion
Managing energy creates resilience.
Showing up intentionally builds it.
→ Career advancement for introverts: be present where it matters, invisible where it doesn't.
6. Chasing visibility creates exhaustion
Managing energy creates resilience.
→ Empowering others to lead is 5x more effective at avoiding burnout.
4. Loud leadership demands attention
Quiet leadership earns respect.
→ Empathetic leadership isn't about volume. It's about making space.
→ Inclusive leadership recognizes people recharge differently.
4. Loud leadership demands attention
Quiet leadership earns respect.
→ Empathetic leadership isn't about volume. It's about making space.
→ Inclusive leadership recognizes people recharge differently.
November 19, 2025 at 10:00 PM
→ Empowering others to lead is 5x more effective at avoiding burnout.
4. Loud leadership demands attention
Quiet leadership earns respect.
→ Empathetic leadership isn't about volume. It's about making space.
→ Inclusive leadership recognizes people recharge differently.
4. Loud leadership demands attention
Quiet leadership earns respect.
→ Empathetic leadership isn't about volume. It's about making space.
→ Inclusive leadership recognizes people recharge differently.
→ Nearly half of introverts in extroverted roles report burnout compared to a quarter of extroverts.
→ Protecting your energy isn't selfish. It's strategic.
3. Constant meetings drain focus
Delegation multiplies impact.
→ Being in every conversation limits your team.
→ Protecting your energy isn't selfish. It's strategic.
3. Constant meetings drain focus
Delegation multiplies impact.
→ Being in every conversation limits your team.
November 19, 2025 at 10:00 PM
→ Nearly half of introverts in extroverted roles report burnout compared to a quarter of extroverts.
→ Protecting your energy isn't selfish. It's strategic.
3. Constant meetings drain focus
Delegation multiplies impact.
→ Being in every conversation limits your team.
→ Protecting your energy isn't selfish. It's strategic.
3. Constant meetings drain focus
Delegation multiplies impact.
→ Being in every conversation limits your team.
and what drives career growth instead 👇
1. Performing extroversion kills energy
Self-management creates sustainability.
→ Forcing constant visibility? You burn out.
→ Strategic presence? You grow faster.
2. Saying yes to everything stalls growth
Saying no with boundaries accelerates it.
1. Performing extroversion kills energy
Self-management creates sustainability.
→ Forcing constant visibility? You burn out.
→ Strategic presence? You grow faster.
2. Saying yes to everything stalls growth
Saying no with boundaries accelerates it.
November 19, 2025 at 10:00 PM
and what drives career growth instead 👇
1. Performing extroversion kills energy
Self-management creates sustainability.
→ Forcing constant visibility? You burn out.
→ Strategic presence? You grow faster.
2. Saying yes to everything stalls growth
Saying no with boundaries accelerates it.
1. Performing extroversion kills energy
Self-management creates sustainability.
→ Forcing constant visibility? You burn out.
→ Strategic presence? You grow faster.
2. Saying yes to everything stalls growth
Saying no with boundaries accelerates it.
What boundary have you set recently that protected your energy?
♻️ Share if you're proudly wired differently
📩 Follow Steven Claes for more introvert truth
♻️ Share if you're proudly wired differently
📩 Follow Steven Claes for more introvert truth
November 18, 2025 at 10:00 PM
What boundary have you set recently that protected your energy?
♻️ Share if you're proudly wired differently
📩 Follow Steven Claes for more introvert truth
♻️ Share if you're proudly wired differently
📩 Follow Steven Claes for more introvert truth
➡️ We're not antisocial, we're selectively social.
➡️ We're not slow, we're thorough.
➡️ We're not cold, we're careful.
In a world drowning in noise, that's not a limitation.
That's an advantage.
Stop trying to fix us. We were never broken.
➡️ We're not slow, we're thorough.
➡️ We're not cold, we're careful.
In a world drowning in noise, that's not a limitation.
That's an advantage.
Stop trying to fix us. We were never broken.
November 18, 2025 at 10:00 PM
➡️ We're not antisocial, we're selectively social.
➡️ We're not slow, we're thorough.
➡️ We're not cold, we're careful.
In a world drowning in noise, that's not a limitation.
That's an advantage.
Stop trying to fix us. We were never broken.
➡️ We're not slow, we're thorough.
➡️ We're not cold, we're careful.
In a world drowning in noise, that's not a limitation.
That's an advantage.
Stop trying to fix us. We were never broken.