When we think of successful people, we often default to the stereotypes – intelligent, driven, outgoing. No doubt, most successful people are intelligent and driven; however, outgoing isn’t a must-have attribute.

From Albert Einstein to Steven Spielberg to Bill Gates, there are plenty of famous introverts who have made their mark. Just because someone is introspective and reserved doesn’t mean they don’t do great things. In fact, introverts can bring a welcome quiet to our very noisy world.

We harbor many misconceptions about introverts, sometimes assuming they are shy or just need to break out of their shells. We fool ourselves into thinking they dislike group work or are crummy leaders, when in reality, they are anything but.

It’s also important to remember that personality isn’t black and white. A person can have both extroverted and introverted traits, falling somewhere on the spectrum between the two.

Let’s look at a few of the ways that introverts make a difference.

They are Calm, Cool and Collected

Introverts don’t tend to act on impulse, so you can count on them to keep a cool head in the most tenuous of circumstances. Though spontaneity has its place, the introvert in the room is likely to stop and fully analyze a situation before acting.

It also helps that many introverts are well liked, sometimes more than their extroverted colleagues. Their calm disposition, analytical nature and calculated approach to stubborn situations means they may shine much brighter than the rash extroverts around them. Introverts know the importance of listening before speaking.

They Can Be Excellent Public Speakers

While on that topic, we often assume introverts can’t be charismatic public speakers. Not true! Some of the world’s most engaging speakers are introverted and shine on stage, though they may prefer to skip the post-talk chit chat with the crowd.

Dananjaya Hettiarachchi, Toastmasters International’s 2014 public speaking champion, says there are a few key distinctions between introverts and their more outgoing peers.

“When you look at introverts, they tend to be a bit more empathetic,” he said, in an interview with Business Insider. “When you look at extroverts, they tend to project. But some extroverts project too much, and they block out the audience. It becomes all about them. Introverts are able to structure content in a way that draws energy off the audience.”

Warren Buffett, Tony Robbins and David Letterman all identify as introverts and there is no doubt they can enthrall a crowd.

They Get Stuff Done

Unlike extroverts, who crave social interaction and bore easily, many introverts can hyper focus on the task at hand. By embracing the solitude, they push forward and immerse themselves in a project, often for hours at a time.

“We love the feeling of being completely immersed in work that we enjoy,” explained introverted writer Robin Young Burinskiy, in a Thrive Global article. “We still crave downtime to relax and chat with coworkers; but we don’t require as much external stimulation as others do.

“We’re happiest when we’re able to work autonomously at our own pace, without constant interruptions or unnecessary supervision. This makes us incredibly easy to manage, because we’ll basically do it for you!”

That said, introverts don’t always appreciate being interrupted while in the zone. They’re more apt to turn off their email, throw on their headphones and send calls to voicemail to allow for more intense focus. Learn to spot the signs and leave them to their work.

They Like People … Really

Introverts have friends and their relationships are healthy, deep and meaningful. Again, misconceptions of them being loners or shy miss the mark – introverts do like being around others but may struggle in larger crowds where small talk is the norm. Since they are apt to be more selective about those who become close to them, their connections with others are intimate and worthwhile.

Don’t be surprised if your introverted friend would rather meet you solo for coffee than join a large group for dinner – one-on-one is where they often thrive. They also need more time to recharge, so may not be interested in hitting the town every weekend.

Having a balance of extroverts and introverts in the workplace is important, and often introverted employees can relate to introverted leaders better than those who are more outgoing. Having a wide variety of personality types represented can have real value in terms of vision, growth and productivity.