Most of you who read this blog haven’t met me in person, but you may have assumed that I’m an Extrovert from the description in the tag line (I’m a “Connector“), my chosen career in the “people business” or the fact that I regularly speak to large groups of people and love to attend conferences. And you would be wrong. I’m actually a card carrying Introvert and think that we as a species are wildly misunderstood.
Recently, one of my favorite bloggers (sacha chua :: living an awesome life) created yet another one of her great Slideshare presentations – this one called The Shy Connector. It’s so awesome that I think this should be required reading for anyone who says that they’re an Introvert who can’t possibly bring themselves to network with others. (The presentation is embedded below, but you should also click here to vote for it in the World’s Best Presentation Contest 2009 at the bottom of the slide deck.)
I personally don’t see introversion/extroversion as the difference between being shy or outgoing, as many people do. I like these simple definitions best:
Introverts – Recharge by spending time alone.
Extroverts – Recharge by being around people.
It’s really that simple. So an Introvert can be the life of the party – but then they’ll probably crash and burn afterward in order to reboot – and an Extrovert doesn’t necessarily have to be the center of attention at all times who can never stop talking. Although if the shoe fits…
Sacha’s presentation got me to thinking about some of the other interesting things I’ve read on the subject and I thought I’d share a few of them to encourage my fellow Introverts out there and also to help the Extroverts to better to understand us.
- Funny and accurate: Caring for Your Introvert – Money Quote: “Now I am here to tell you what you need to know in order to respond sensitively and supportively to your own introverted family members, friends, and colleagues. Remember, someone you know, respect, and interact with every day is an introvert, and you are probably driving this person nuts.”
- Introversion and Leadership – Yes You Can!!! – Money Quote: “Plenty of introverts are skilled at “acting” extroverted in necessary situations. An introvert who understands their energy needs will be able to “extrovert” with the others and be a social butterfly and then simply retire to their own personal space to recharge for their next social function.”
- How to Network: For Introverts – Money Quote: “Introverts typically don’t like to talk about themselves – we prefer to talk about ideas. Force yourself to discuss some of the things you’ve done. Don’t brag, make sure they are relevant to the conversation. Then the extroverts can talk about you and pass your achievements along.”
- Job Search Tips for Introverts – Money Quote: “Value your listening skills. When you’re searching for a job and reaching out to others, you’ll do this much more effectively if you’re a good listener.”
- Top 5 Things Every Extrovert Should Know About Introverts – Money Quote: Introverts have more brain activity in their frontal lobes and when these areas are activated through solitary activity, introverts become energized through processes such as problem solving, introspection, and complex thinking. Extroverts on the other hand tend to have more activity in the back of their brain, areas that deal with processing sensory information from the external world, so they tend to search for external stimuli in the form of interacting with other people and the outside world to energize them.
Do you feel like being an Introvert has held you back in your career in any way – or has it helped you to get where you are today? Extroverts – do you understand us? Or do you think that anyone who doesn’t get excited about dressing up to go see the Rocky Horror Picture Show for the 57th time is just plain weird? (Because we definitely think that about you when you do.)
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