In this article, I’d like to introduce a well-known introvert: Bill Gates. Getting to know what he’s really like might give you a small hint or bit of encouragement — even though he’s on such a different level that it may feel a little far-fetched 😅
The Man Who Brought Computers into Our Lives
Do you use a computer regularly?
These days, smartphones can handle most daily tasks, so unless your job requires it, you might not use a computer as often as you once did. But even if you don’t use one every day, chances are you’ve used one at some point 💻
Bill Gates is the person who brought computers to the masses by creating Windows — the operating system that made them accessible. In Japan, the release of Windows 95 was a cultural moment, suddenly making PCs feel familiar and mainstream. (It was when I first started using one myself)
Without an OS, a computer is just an empty box. Whether it’s Windows, macOS, or Linux, the operating system is what brings it to life. Gates is the co-founder of Microsoft, the company that developed Windows, along with his childhood friend Paul Allen.
A Lifelong Reader
As an IT engineer, I see Bill Gates as a distant icon — almost a godlike figure. In the early 1970s, alongside Apple’s Steve Jobs, Gates recognized the potential of computers and raced ahead with a strong belief in their future.
He was gifted from a young age, especially in math, and was admitted to Harvard University. But he was so obsessed with programming — spending day and night coding with Allen — that he eventually dropped out to focus on building Microsoft.
Altair, BASIC, IBM, MS-DOS, GUI, Apple…
These are the key terms that defined the era — stepping stones on the path to making Windows the mainstream platform for computers. The battles fought in this space were nothing short of legendary. Facing a crowd of formidable rivals, Gates clashed with intensity, outmaneuvering one after another, stacking victory upon victory, and ultimately building a vast IT empire. Its impact? Still immense, even decades later.
Now retired from Microsoft, he devotes his time and vast fortune to philanthropy.
His career is amazing…
but honestly, not something most of us can relate to.
But for introverts, there’s more to the story.
One aspect of Bill Gates that introverts may find relatable is his love for reading. Ever since he was a child, he was an avid reader of novels, science fiction, and encyclopedias — to the point where his parents had to scold him for reading even during meals. This reading habit never faded with age. Even during his time as CEO of Microsoft, he would retreat to a secluded cabin several times a year for what he called “Think Week” — an intensive period dedicated to reading and reflecting.
Interestingly, Gates had a wild side in his youth—seen in this 1977 photo taken after his arrest for a traffic violation (via Wikipedia)…A bit of a rebel 😅
Introverted but…
Despite his commanding presence, Gates openly identifies as introverted. You might not expect it from someone with such a powerful public image, but he’s acknowledged it himself. At the same time, he emphasizes how important it is to develop communication skills and work collaboratively with others — especially in business.
Introversion expert Susan Cain also describes Gates as an introverted leader. In her book Quiet, she explains that personality can be shaped through practice but not completely changed. Gates didn’t succeed by pretending to be extroverted — he succeeded by embracing and amplifying the strengths of being an introvert.
She illustrates this with a powerful analogy:
You can stretch your personality, but only to a certain extent. No matter how much Bill Gates polishes his social skills, he’ll never become Bill Clinton. Likewise, no matter how much time Bill Clinton spends alone in front of a computer, he’ll never become Bill Gates.
(For context, Bill Clinton is a former U.S. president and a classic extrovert)
Introverted ≠ Shy
Susan Cain adds another valuable insight.
Gates may be reserved and bookish, but he is not shy. He is not easily swayed by others’ opinions.
Here’s where I’d like to draw a clear distinction between “introverted” and “shy”. The two are often used interchangeably, but they’re not the same.
Personally, I am rather introverted. How about you?
You Are You
Bill Gates is, in many ways, a legend — someone in the same league as Edison in my mind. It’s natural to feel like someone like him lives in a completely different world. But when you hear that he was introverted, loved to read, and even had a bit of a wild streak in his youth, maybe you’ll see a more human side of him, too. And even for someone like him, success didn’t come without effort. What’s more, his deep understanding of his own strengths, his unwavering conviction, and the strategic way he lived offer plenty we can learn from.
Either way, let’s not get stuck thinking things like:
“They can do it — why can’t I?”
“I’m introverted, so I’ll never be good enough anyway…”
Don’t weigh yourself down with thoughts that only make you feel small.
Instead, try to notice what’s good about you — even if there’s no solid proof.
If you believe in it, that’s enough.
You are you. You’ll never be someone else, and there’s no reason you should be.
Let me end with a couple of quotes from Bill Gates himself.
Life is not fair. Get used to it.
Don’t compare yourself to anyone in this world.
If you do so, you are insulting yourself.
