Introverted Owls

We live in the land of introverts. We moved from just outside New York City—a place known for bold, brash personalities—to a small town in Utah where people seem reserved and soft-spoken. While that’s an overgeneralization, research suggests extroverts are drawn to the high stimulation of big cities, while introverts prefer the quiet and routine of rural life.

Two owls have made our barn their home. I think owls are an archetype of the introverted personality. Coincidentally, before moving here, I chose an owl as the symbol of my new company, Sage Executive Coaches. PepsiCo’s design team created a logo for me as a retirement gift, combining the wise bird, the color sage, and a leaf from the sagebrush plant that covers our ranch. I aspire to be a sage coach who doesn’t have to talk much to have a transformational impact — though admittedly, I still have a ways to go.

I’ve studied these barn owls for years. They’re exceptional listeners, with hearing 100 times more sensitive than ours—they can detect prey moving under a foot of snow. Their eyesight is remarkably powerful, and they remain motionless for hours, scanning their surroundings. Most impressive, though, is their silence—they are the stealthiest flyers in the animal kingdom. Listening, observing, and being comfortable with silence are all powerful strengths of introverts.

Eleanor Roosevelt said, “Quiet, self-contained people often have the keenest observations and the sharpest insights.” I’ve found this to be true of my ranching neighbors. They don’t say much, but when they do, their words have a depth and sincerity that I admire. Talk less to say more is sage counsel we extroverts should embrace.