Are You an Introvert or an Extrovert? What It Means for Your Career
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A company involves a huge number of employees with different characteristics.
These people are often categorized into two classifications by psychologists around the world, and these classifications have something to do with your way of working as well.
Basically, there are some who are the outgoing type who is capable of socializing easily with other co-workers.
But on the other hand, there are those who just prefer to work silently and finish the day without the need to talk too much.
There are also people who are in-between these two remarkably different traits, and we will give you a bonus description about it as well.
To properly define these types of people, they are psychologically divided into two types: the introverts and extroverts.
Psychologists have found out that introversion and extroversion can impact the person based on the career that they are currently in.
That also means that there are workplaces where extroverts can be more comfortable, while the others may be preferable for the characteristics of introverts.
DIFFERENTIATING, AND DEEPLY UNDERSTANDING THEIR TRAITS
Introverts: The So-Called Loners
According to Marti Olsen Laney (2002), introverts are “often misunderstood” by society because an introvert’s culture “overvalues” extroverted traits.
That’s why most people in society often misunderstood introverts as shy and lonely people.
Some even consider them as antisocial and unproductive.
But introverts are not actually those type of people; they simply don’t prefer using too much of their social energy.
Known Traits
Here are the widely-known traits that introverts often have in general:
- Masters of Solitude – these are people who prefer time alone. It’s their preferred type of lifestyle as it gives them more happiness and comfort compared to attending social events. Introverts have this trait where they feel more exhausted when dealing with social events such as parties. As a result, introverts can become irritable instead. But introverts often use this as way to gather enough social energy to handle parties and other high-tension social occasions.
- Quiet – introverts are known for being quiet people. This makes them more reserved when showing their true feelings and attitude towards people they’re not close. Some extroverts may find them to be snobbish if they are unfamiliar with their quietness. Writer Jenn Granneman states that introversion has something to do with their brain structure such as sensitivity to dopamine. This results in their silent akes introverts better companions as they can easily assert to the situation in order to find ways to help you as a friend.
- Different From Shy – Introverts are often found to be very friendly and can handle social situations well They are at their best confidence when they are with someone that they love the most such as close friends and family. The misinterpretation of introversion being shyness is all due to our modern society who often accept extroverts as “normal”. However, this is just all due to the confidence that personalities in the popular culture show in front of the public.
- Comfortable On What They Do – Introverts find it uncomfortable when they are doing something they are not familiar of. They prefer to do things that they are comfortable with. Some introvert athletes who are actually shy in front of the public are seem to be surprisingly confident when playing sports. But it’s probably because they only focus on what they do, as they think about the situation before making an action.
How They Do Well At Work
There could be times where introverts can surprisingly become team players.
Here are some of their traits within the workplace:
- Great Strategists – Joe McHugh, a president of an executive service in the Office of Right Management Consultants in Minnesota, states that introverts should be understood by their colleagues and leaders when it comes to their thinking patters. Introverts “need time to think things through” as they arrive towards a conclusion. This means that they often think before they talk, and we all know that talking isn’t often thinking straight. This means that introverts can play a key role towards analyzing business issues and can come up with bigger ideas before they even say it.
- Often Concentrates Alone – Introverts may provide good team strategies when they have great ideas. But this also means that they need to think alone. This may be perceived as loneliness by some people. However, their time alone helps them recharge their energies in socializing and thinking about strategies at work. This helps them concentrate on the task at-hand when alone.
- Amazing Adaptability – The silence of an introvert has a side that’s actually beneficial for them and for the working team. An introvert’s mind can develop better strategies as they tend to think a lot before speaking. They are also great listeners and observers as their silence gives them a lot of time to notice everything. That’s why an introvert that has a good socializing skills are known as great observers of characteristics. This help introvert bosses to coach attitude problems and co-worker issues just by observing their employee.
Extroverts: The Social Butterflies
Extroverts are often dubbed as the people with excellent social skills.
These are the people who often feel energized at the presence of a social gathering.
They also love meeting new people every now and then.
They are also those who often steal spotlights due to their amazing conversation and communication skills.
Known Traits
The following are the traits extroverts are most known to many:
- The Social Expert – Extroverts are the light of the party. They are great when they talk and tell stories. They can become very good at approaching people due to their confidence in socializing. That’s why they are not scared to talk to total strangers. These people also love to meet new people and learn about different personalities. This makes them enjoy talking to everyone. Extroverts often have a very huge circle of friends. But it’s still up to their character if they can handle them well or not. That’s why extroverts become great leaders.
- People of Action- Extroverts are great at talking. This is due to their attitude of being great in taking action right away than thinking first. This makes them good speakers as it’s their way to develop more ideas. However, this may result in overconfidence to those who tend to become impulsive over their actions. It makes them progressively inspired as they do actions and when talking to people.
- Daring – Extroverts are very confident outside than staying at home for too long. It’s because they tend to become more inspired and wiser through the everyday experience that they have when they go outside. This makes them very adventurous and curious about the many things that happen in the world. That’s why extroverts tend to become weaker and more down when they are stuck at home or got nothing to do.
- Open-Minded – Extroverts are known to be very open to suggestions. They tend to be open towards various conversations between different people. This helps them share their thoughts and feelings quicker, compared to introverts who are more reserved. That’s why most people also say that extroverts are an open book as they are very easy to get to know with.
- Very Honest – Their attitude isn’t masked at all just like what an introvert can be. This makes them honest when it comes to their feelings as they can portray it without the need to think too much. It could be a disadvantage to them as well because this might make them more impulsive during high-pressure occasions such as quarrels. Some may even find them rude. That’s why an extrovert should still be careful for their actions.
How They Do Well At Work
Extroverts are often considered as natural leaders by most people in society due to their dominating confidence when in front of many people.
However, experts believe that extroverts can be easily distracted over high-energy scenarios and often have a hard time being alone.
Here are some traits that extroverts have when at work:
- Easily Open For New Suggestions – Their numerous interests in life helps them become more open to suggestions. They are also people who often change their traits based on what they learn. This helps them easily adapt to new guidelines and even major changes in the work that they perform.
- A Man/Woman of Action – Extroverts are great when performing the task at hand. Some can even think while in the middle of doing the actual task. This may be a drawback as it lessens their time to develop a strategy. But this helps them finish tasks faster especially if they think sharp as they work.
- Great Communication Skills – Extroverts are the center of attention as their communication skills are higher than introverts. This enables them to become more effective leaders in front of society as extroverts are more spontaneous. They also give great speeches and motivational coaching to their employees as well, and they play well in a team. Their communication skills also helps them seek ideas and inspiration from other people. That’s why extroverts excel in the sales department.
Bonus: The Ambiverts
Ambiverts are considered to be the most flexible as they possess both traits.
They can socialize freely like an introvert, but may find peace when working alone.
It’s a hybrid between the two.
There are roughly 38% of these people in the world, according to Robert R. McCrae. Personality Psychologist Brian Little even stated that they can “take the best of both”.
Known Traits
Here are some of their remarkable traits:
- Seldom Talks to Strangers – They are not the types of people who will just go ahead and talk to strangers. They never approach strangers at most times. But when approached, they can take time to have some conversation.
- Great In Conversations – They are usually great talkers whenever a topic of interest is being brought up. They can easily adapt over the conversation and can help them feel more confident. However, this trait can be a disadvantage if they are uninterested or not used to the topic in question. Ambiverts also become great observers during a conversation when in silence.
- Social Transition – Ambiverts are considered as great listeners by both introverts and extroverts as. They have the ability to sit comfortably in silence and just get entertained as others do the talking. They usually do this just to recharge their social energy so then they can talk confidently. There are also times where you may prefer weekends to be spent alone or with friends. But this doesn’t avoid them from going three days away from home, but may find a longer weekend alone afterwards.
- Easily Adapts – Ambiverts easily adapt to the environment of introverts and extroverts. Ambiverts don’t have any trouble when it comes to any kind of social events. Even friends will argue whether you’re an introvert or extrovert if you happen to be ambivert. This is also great for being with louder group of friends if you prefer to be quiet, while being the loud one over a group of introverts. This is also a sign of higher intuition than introverts and extroverts.
- Doesn’t Prefer Small Talk – This may sound a bit bitter, but ambiverts don’t prefer small talk. Some ambiverts often perceive these as insincere. This roots from their need to have friends that they are more comfortable with, as they become more extroverted when they’re introverted–ly attached to their closest friends.
With these examples, you won’t probably become confused if you’re an introvert or extrovert because you may be an ambivert after all.
Their professionalism at work is usually the same as both introverts and extroverts because they can be very flexible in any kind of situation.
That’s why some experts often believe that ambiverts may be more successful than extroverts in their career.
But of course, it still depends on how hard you work at your dreams for success.
DEALING WITH EXTROVERTS AS AN INTROVERT…
Real life experiences from people such as Elan Morgan show that introverts tend to think that every people in their private space.
This raises tension in an introvert’s mind as they find it more awkward when dealing with other people.
Highly introverted people ten even feel too much pressure with every frequent time they are tapped or just bumped by people in the office.
It makes them feel irritated because they feel like their personal space is being intruded by many people.
But it’s just all about understanding the outside world and how similar introverts find comfort when working.
You can also ask your introvert co-workers about it and they might give you advice that’s close or similar to the following:
- Your Workspace Is All Yours – The whole world is for everyone in the first place. That’s why you should think that your workplace is all yours. There are no people who will intrude your personal space. In fact, they won’t disturb you if you’re seriously working alone. Remember that even though there are extroverts in workplaces, that doesn’t mean that they will intimidate you when they visit your vicinity at the office. In this way, your social energy won’t run out easily.
- Be Open To Others – You are all working as a team for the sake of a better company so then you can retain your jobs. That’s why you should think that everyone in the office is your ally in making the company more productive. In this way, especially if you love your job, you will become more capable of collaborating with them. This can also be your key towards being a team leader in the future.
- Show What You Need – You should never be too aloof on the emotions that you want to show when at work. If you’re a reserved person, start showing indications that they are going way past your boundaries as you socialize with them. This will help them respect you as it’s a sign of self-respect as well. This also develops understanding between your co-workers so then you can develop a more comfortable relationship despite your difference as an introvert.
…AND VICE VERSA
Some extroverts may find it annoying to work at places that seem to be more low-key and quiet.
That’s why some extroverts tend to find careers where it involves plenty of people. If not, they tend to seek promotions in order to handle events with more people.
But what if you are stuck in a working environment that’s filled with introverts?
If you’re a leader, there will never be any problem guiding your introverted workers towards what you want.
But if you’re still confused on what to do, here are some tips to give you a jump start:
- Give them The Right Time – Always give them the right time to talk because they often enjoy the silence of doing their job. Introverts who aren’t that into dealing with many people must be given more time to be quiet. But if they are in a good mood to talk, be sure to entertain them enough with what they are comfortable with. In that way, they can get more comfortable to you in return to the point where you can get along. It’s all in the timing when socializing with them.
- Be Open To Suggestions – This is just similar to the advice for introverts above. If they don’t find your ideals comfortable for them to deal with, leave them be and let them do what they can. We have different talents after all. So instead of brainstorming ideas, adapt on what they can do instead so then you can effectively adapt to them. You can also conduct a writing session where the introverted employee’s ideas can be written in e-mail or paper.
- Give them a Clear Schedule – If you wish to set up a schedule where they can socialize with you, you can go ahead and give them a heads up. Tell them about the schedule where you will be hanging out with your introverted co-workers. Do this when giving them the right time to hold meetings at work as well. This causes introverts to think so then they can be mentally prepared when handling meetings and social events.
IT’S JUST ALL ABOUT UNDERSTANDING!
Introverts and extroverts may be different from one another.
But this doesn’t necessarily mean that their beliefs and opinions will always contradict.
There are extroverts and introverts that have similar characteristics and ideals.
Thus, extroversion and introversion just differ in the way they approach the scenarios that they deal with daily.
With the right means of understanding between the two traits, rest assured that introverts and extroverts can fill the gaps that they individually have whenever they work as one.
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