
The Perks of Introversion
July10
We live in an “in your face” era, where extroverts tend to lead the pack. Or at least appear that way (because they’re the loudest, right?) But introverted types, the quiet types, make a difference in their own way. They don’t need to be “fixed” or improved upon; as a culture, we need to appreciate what they offer:
The most creative people in many fields are usually introverts. We should not stop collaborating, however we should be aware that solitude matters and for some people it’s the air that they breathe.
Susan Cain [author of Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking] refers to research by Adam Grant (Associate Professor at the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania) which reveals that introverted leaders often deliver better results than extroverted leaders.
When they are managing proactive employees they are much more likely to let employees run with those ideas. Some extroverted leaders can unwittingly get so excited they put their own stamp on things and other people’s ideas might not as easily bubble up to the surface.
Takeaways:
Be wary of listening mostly to the loudest voices.
Listen to the listeners.
Put people in the right environment to suit their temperament. Introverts thrive better in one set of circumstances, and extroverts thrive better in another.
Feel proud and comfortable of your strengths if you are an introvert.
Think about how workplaces can better support introverts.
Value individuality.
Find time for solitude, to unplug.
Source: Positive Psychology News Daily