On September 9, 2026, IPMI hosted a Webinar session titled Leading with Authenticity: The Power of Introverted and Extroverted Leadership.

 

Presenters:

Leontyne Green Sykes, MBA, Founder & Principal at Sykes Leadership Advisory, Former Chief People Officer at Wayfair and Former COO and CMO at IKEA U.S.

Summary:
Leontyne Green-Sykes, former Chief People Officer at Wayfair and COO/CMO at IKEA US, shared insights on authentic leadership as an introvert. She discussed balancing professional growth with staying true to one’s natural style, distinguishing between “performing” and “stretching.” Green-Sykes emphasized that both introverted and extroverted leadership styles are valuable and highlighted strategies such as providing pre-meeting context, allowing reflection time, and creating inclusive environments where different personalities can thrive. She concluded by encouraging participants to identify ways to stretch their leadership style while remaining authentic.

Key Takeaways from the Webinar Session:

Leadership and Introvert Challenges
Leontyne reflected on being rewarded for speaking quickly in meetings rather than for the quality of her ideas, a habit that often drained her energy. She discussed common misconceptions about engagement and shared how she managed the demands of leadership at IKEA by creating time to recharge. Participants also reflected on when they feel most energized, with John highlighting teamwork, problem-solving, and helping others succeed.

Authentic Leadership Journey Discussion
Leontyne described her journey of balancing personal growth with authenticity. She emphasized that stretching beyond your comfort zone is different from performing and that effective leadership requires both self-awareness and adaptability. She also shared how her move from COO to HR came from discovering that developing people energized her more than managing operations.

Leadership Styles and Team Dynamics
Leontyne explained how she learned to embrace both introverted and extroverted leadership traits rather than changing who she was. She recognized that her preferred working style was not right for everyone and stressed the importance of adapting to the needs of different team members. She challenged participants to consider whether they were leading people effectively or expecting them to work like themselves.

Adapting Leadership Styles in Teams
Leontyne highlighted the importance of understanding different personality styles and adjusting leadership approaches accordingly. She shared techniques such as providing meeting context in advance, allowing time for reflection, and offering multiple ways for people to contribute. She encouraged participants to experiment with small changes that expand their leadership style while staying authentic.

Introvert-Extrovert Team Collaboration Strategies
Leontyne distinguished between stretching and performing, emphasizing the importance of authenticity over forced behavior. She shared how she openly communicates her introverted preferences with new teams and adapts her leadership to different working styles. Her key message was to lead with self-awareness, communicate openly, and extend grace to both yourself and others.

Access the full Webinar in IPMI’s On-Demand Education Library.

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Click here to view the 2026 Leadership Webinar Series Bundle.