PATIENCE OGUNBONA
Patience Ogunbona – Empowering Introverted Leaders to Rise with Confidence
Patience Ogunbona is an Accredited Executive Business and Leadership Coach, Keynote Speaker, and Corporate Trainer, specialising in helping introverted professionals cultivate quiet confidence, navigate leadership with authenticity and build inclusive workplace cultures.
She is the founder of Aspire-Transform-Inspire (ATI-Coaching, Consulting & Training Ltd), a CPD-accredited coaching and training company that provides strategic leadership, team dynamics, personal effectiveness, and transformative solutionsto companies looking toenhance performance, drive inclusion, and foster sustainable growth.
Atransformational speaker, Patience has captivated audiences on stages across the UK, Las Vegas, Florida, and Africa,inspiring professionals to break through barriers, step into their leadership identity, and build careers and businesses that align with their strengths and values.
She is also a best-selling author, co-authoring the Amazon No.1 bestseller, The X Factor: The Spiritual Secrets Behind Successful Executives and Entrepreneurs, where she shares her insights on leadership, resilience, and personal growth.
Patience is a strong advocate for changing the narrative around introverted leadership. Through her LinkedIn newsletter, Introvert Perspectives, she debunks myths about introversionand equips professionals with the mindset shifts and strategies needed to thrive in life, career, and business.
We spoke to her as part of EVOLVE: Brand You and Shine, where she shared her thoughts on personal branding, leadership, and embracing quiet confidence in a world that often rewards the loudest voices.
Your voice. Your power. Your presence.Every leader has a defining moment—the instant they choose to own their space, claim their narrative, and step into their power. In this exclusive NBWN Spotlight, Patienceunpacks what it means to lead with quiet confidence, break barriers as an introverted executive and redefine influence in today’s world.
All information and links were correct at the date of original publication on
17 Feb 2025
What inspired you to create The Aligned Introvert Method®?
When I first began my career in coaching, speaking, and training, I operated without a niche. Over time, I realised that lived experiences could serve as powerful catalysts for creating tailored solutions in the coaching space.
Recognising the unique challenges and strengths of introverts, I first chose to focus my work on empowering them. From there, I developed a comprehensive framework, the Aligned Introvert Method®, to help introverts embrace their identity, harness their strengths, and build a leadership and success pathway that aligns with their true selves and the impact they wish to create in the world.
How do introverted leaders harness quiet confidence in high-pressure environments?
High-pressure environments are common in profit-driven workplaces and can take a toll on mental and physical health, morale, and performance, regardless of personality type. For introverted leaders, maintaining quiet confidence in these settings begins with cultivating self-awareness and self-acceptance, the foundations of inner composure. Confidence, after all, is not innate; it’s built through deliberate skill development and strategic action. By mastering courageous leadership, introverted leaders can exude quiet confidence, navigating challenges with grace and resilience.
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What role does emotional intelligence play in leadership for introverts?
Emotional intelligence (EQ) is integral to effective leadership, whether you’re an introvert or extrovert. It involves understanding and regulating your own emotions, fostering positive relationships, and influencing others constructively. For introverts, EQ can amplify leadership impact by bridging the gap between self-reflection and external presence. For instance, quieter introverts can strategically "dial-up" their presence when needed to enhance visibility and influence. Cultivating EQ is an ongoing process, but it’s foundational to impactful leadership.
You talk about ‘courageous leadership’—what does that mean for introverts?
Courageous leadership involves stepping out of your comfort zone to pursue your ambitions, stepping into your full potential through intentional growth and stepping up to lead with authenticity and strength. For introverts, it’s about embracing your unique leadership style while pushing past fear. As my mentor says, “Do it afraid.” Courageous leadership isn’t the absence of fear but the ability to act despite it, creating a lasting impact and meaningful legacy in the process.
Many people assume personal branding is about self-promotion. What’s your take?
Personal branding is indeed about self-promotion, but not in the superficial sense of making noise or seeking attention. It’s about shaping the narrative of your value and the impact you bring to the world. By controlling how your skills, achievements, and contributions are perceived, you build a brand that reflects your authenticity and aligns with your purpose.
What are the biggest myths about leadership that hold introverts back?
One of the most pervasive myths is that the best leaders are those who are loud, aggressive, and constantly in the spotlight. True leadership transcends volume and visibility. At its core, leadership involves wielding influence, demonstrating elevated thinking and serving with excellence. Introverts excel in these areas when they lead with intention and authenticity.
How do you balance being an introvert while still showing up powerfully in business?
The key lies in understanding your “why.” Knowing the deeper purpose behind your entrepreneurial or leadership journey creates the clarity and motivation to show up with power and presence. Introversion isn’t a limitation; it’s a trait that, when managed effectively, becomes a strength. Success requires adaptability, and while introverts may approach certain tasks differently or take more time than extroverts, they can achieve the same, if not greater levels of success. As I often say, “Impossible is just an opinion. Feel free to disagree and carve your unique path to success.”
For organisations committed to DEI, how can they better support introverted professionals especially with the Trump administration disrupting this area?
Disruptions such as those caused by the Trump administration only expose organisations that treated DEI as a checkbox exercise rather than a long-term strategy for growth and inclusion. True DEI initiatives look beyond race and gender to consider the full spectrum of intersectionality, including personality, socio-economic background, education, privilege, race, gender, neurodiversity, and more. By addressing these layers holistically, organisations can create environments where introverted professionals and others from diverse backgrounds thrive, ultimately driving innovation and long-term success.
What is your advice for someone who is struggling to own their voice and step up as a leader?
There’s a saying, “The expert was once a beginner.” Struggles are often the necessary growth pains that shape who you are meant to become and the impact you are destined to create. My advice is simple: “Do it afraid until you achieve mastery.” Courage doesn’t mean the absence of fear; it means moving forward despite it.
Additionally, self-awareness is key. Understand the areas where you struggle, and create strategies to address them. Leadership isn’t about perfection it’s about growth, resilience, and showing up with authenticity. The journey may not always feel easy, but it’s worth it.
A New Narrative for Leadership
Based on Patience’s experience and insights I think its time to rewrite the script—to show that leadership is not about how loudly you speak but about how powerfully you show up. Patience supports her clients by giving ambitious, driven introverts the permission and the tools to lead with confidence, influence and impact—on their own terms.
If you are ready to step into your leadership identity with authenticity and purpose, why not connect.
📧Email: connect@patienceogunbona.com📅Book a Call:Schedule Here🔗Website:www.patienceogunbona.com📲Follow & Connect:LinkedIn | Twitter | Facebook