Meeting check-in & lunch service begins at 11:45am
Kelly Potter, SHRM-SCP, SPHR
"The Introverted Manager"
Program Description:
The Introverted Manager challenges the outdated belief that effective leadership requires being the loudest voice in the room. Drawing on over 20 years of Human Resources experience—and her identity as a lifelong introvert—Kelly Potter reframes introversion as a leadership strength, not a limitation.
In this engaging and relatable session, Kelly explores how introverted managers lead with intention, insight, and impact. Attendees will learn how traits such as thoughtfulness, deep listening, observation, and strategic thinking can create high-performing teams and strong workplace cultures. With humor, authenticity, and real-world examples from HR and leadership, Kelly dispels common myths about introverts and leaders, proving that leadership doesn’t have to be loud to be effective.
Whether you identify as an introvert yourself or lead alongside one, this presentation offers practical tools and mindset shifts to help leaders embrace diverse styles, manage authentically, and lead with confidence—without pretending to be someone they’re not.
Learning Objectives
After attending this session, participants will be able to:
1. Recognize and challenge common myths about introversion and leadership, gaining a more inclusive view of what effective leadership looks like.
2. Identify core strengths of introverted managers, including strategic thinking, active listening, emotional intelligence, and thoughtful decision-making.
3. Apply practical strategies for leading, communicating, and influencing as an introvert—without relying on extroverted stereotypes.
4. Build more inclusive teams and cultures by valuing different leadership styles and creating space for all voices to be heard.
5. Lead with confidence and authenticity, leveraging personal strengths rather than trying to lead like someone else.
Speaker Bio:
Kelly Potter is a lifelong introvert who somehow found her calling in people, leadership, and Human Resources. From an early age, she was often told she “talked too much” or was “bossy”—feedback we now recognize as clear evidence of strong leadership skills ahead of their time.
With over 20 years in Human Resources, Kelly brings both experience and heart to everything she does. She earned her Bachelor’s degree and MBA from the University of Oklahoma (Boomer!) and has never lost her enthusiasm for the HR profession.
That passion shows up in her impressive volunteer leadership. Kelly has served as President of Western Oklahoma Human Resources (WOKHR), recently wrapped up a two-year term as President of the Oklahoma City Human Resource Society (OCHRS), and has held multiple roles on the SHRM Oklahoma State Council. She currently serves as District Director–West—proving that “bossy” was actually just destiny.
Kelly Potter is on a personal crusade to rewrite two wildly inaccurate stereotypes: that introverts can’t be great leaders—and that HR is the boring department of “NO,” run by people who scowl in the corner and suck the fun out of the room. (Hard pass.)
As a lifelong introvert, Kelly is living proof that leadership doesn’t have to be loud to be effective. Leaders come in all styles, and introverts are just one powerful flavor—thoughtful, strategic, observant, and usually three steps ahead of the room.
With over 20 years in Human Resources, Kelly has made it her mission to show that HR isn’t about killing ideas or quoting policy for sport. It’s about building culture, developing people, and helping organizations actually work better. Yes, there can be laughter. Yes, HR can be cool.
Kelly brings curiosity, authenticity, and a healthy dose of humor to leadership—proving that introverts don’t hide in the corner, HR isn’t the fun police, and great leaders don’t all look (or sound) the same.
Recertification Credit
SHRM Certification has approved this event for 1 PDCs toward SHRM-CP and SHRM-SCP recertification. A program code will be provided at the end of the meeting. The program also meets recertification credit standards set by the HR Certification Institute and other HR certifying bodies, but candidates must manually enter their activity into their records.
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