Living in an extroverted world
June 11th, 2008So, I’m an introvert.
Being an introvert is like being left-handed – I still do the same stuff everybody else does, I just do it differently. The last statistic I read/heard said that 70% of people are extroverts and 30% of people are introverts.
So what’s the difference between an extrovert and an introvert?
In short, introverts tend to look internally to process ideas or thoughts, while an extrovert thrives when surrounded by people. Introverts typically think before they speak or act and extroverts are prone to act first.
I think it’s a common misconception that introverts are shy. That’s not the case at all. Introverts can be just as outgoing as the next guy – introverts simply fare better in one-on-one or small group settings and often seek quiet or privacy to re-charge their batteries, so to speak. For instance, I like to get here early in the morning so I can spend 30-40 minutes with my office door closed before anybody gets here to charge up for the day ahead.
I thought this would be a worthwhile thing to post on our blog because as it relates to the workplace, I find it’s a good idea to have an awareness of introverted or extroverted tendencies in the people we work with. I think doing so minimizes frustration; any time you have a compassionate understanding of the people you’re interacting with, you’re more likely to experience success in your interpersonal relationships (in or out of the office).
For more information on the topic, Wikipedia has a really good write up.
