How do you stay an engaged leader when you are an introvert?

Not all leaders are extroverts; many are not... Probably less are not...

Focus on the standards, lead by example, master the leader basics, be genuine, and be yourself.

Excellent question!

What I've found works for me, is to engage folks individually. It transitions many of the leadership styles into a more "mentorship" framework, which "may" make it more comfortable, while still keeping you engaged with each of your subordinates.

Once you build rapports individually, even small ones, it makes it significantly easier to direct larger groups of 2-3, 10+, or larger. The beautiful part about working small to big is our decentralized command philosophy allows you to convey a message, and use our natural desire to delegate to do the rest for you. i.e. You tell the Squad Leaders, they tell the fire team leaders etc.

It's only hard to be an introverted leader if you try to be an extrovert. It never works out quite right. People can tell that you're uncomfortable or...not yourself. One of the most amazing leaders I have known is an introvert. It's obvious. He's quiet. Deafeningly quiet. Not when he speaks, but he just doesn't speak very often. He is however, f^(&ing brilliant. Not just run of the mill smart, but so damned intelligent that whenever he does say something, that you know it has reached past the threshold of his nature and it must be stated because it is extremely relevant. He is one of the only people I have seen immediately quiet a room just by begining to talk. Generals would come to a screeching halt when he talked because he did so only when he had something profound to say. Now...you had to be around him quite a bit to come to that conclusion. If you just met him, you wouldn't think he was anything special. It isn't like running into Patton and immediately, you knew he was the guy in charge. That being said, once you knew him, you found that all the bluster of those extroverts were nothing under the quiet glare of this leader. He is powerful...wound up like a spring waiting to bound. He doesn't need to bluster about it. He simply acts when necessary...and when it isn't necessary...he thinks.