How well do introverts fare in today's office environment?
How understanding are people in today's office environment of introverts? Is it the same story all around, or do they find that they must change themselves in order to succeed and have the same opportunities as their more extroverted colleagues?
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Jun 25, 2014
It all depends upon the business profile.
In an Engineering firm or Chartered Accountant Firm, Law firms, introvert is an essence of office environment, whereas in PR Agencies, Media house or Entertainment business, extrovert is the essence.
But if Introvert get the job in PR or Media.. it bounce back, whereas, if Extrovert gets in CA office or Engineering business. it become mismatch.
May 30, 2014
Your question supposes we always know the difference. It isn't always easy. My wife and I both are outgoing personalities and most people would classify us both as extroverts. They would be wrong. She is. I am not.
May 30, 2014
Great question Shariz.
Here's the key: what you describe as 'story' is truly exactly that, just a story. And that 'story' can only live in your Conscious, while your inner truth exists in your UNconscious. The key is to align the two - to the latter.
This is based on Brain research known for thousands of years (and being proven more and more by current Quantum Science), the good news is this: each person writes the script of their own story, in advance, then it comes to be in ways that serve them best.
So, intro and extro verts live in your truth and you will CREATE the results you desire. Consistently.
Let me know how I can be of further support
Paul
May 30, 2014
Hi Mr. Mukthar,
The office or any other environment has challenges faced by each of us in different ways. be it an introvert or extrovert, the work gets done. If everyone had the same personality, we are just saying it is time for the robots to come in and replace human innovation.
So, if and when the employees solve a problem at work relieving a business constraint, that is where the value add comes in, whether he is an introvert or extrovert. These professionals end up creating delight for internal and/or external customers regardless of how they perform on a personality test.
When we executed the Myers-Briggs personality test at work back in the 90's we were told that more than your personality, it is important to understand the other person's sensitivity and work alongside with the least conflict.
For example if you are working with a driver type A personality, giving him a firm decision based on your background work is what he is looking for, especially if he is the leader or manager involved/leading. That is not the time to hand him over the graphs and charts to engage in your analysis-paralysis exercise.
At the same time, if he is analytical by nature, you don't want to ask him to make a decision then and there as he needs the stats behind your conclusions.
Knowing the other person's (or the team's) hot buttons is the first step to a successful professional at work. These effective employees may be introverts or extroverts by nature, but tend to perform well by bringing harmony in their own ways.
Be open to that!
Cheers,
Dr. Shree
May 30, 2014
It depends really on the position a person takes in the company. I fthe position doesn't put communication in the first place, and doesn't require to manage and/or lead people, why introversiveness shall be an impediment?
Moreover, very often you can meet a common deformation-when introverts don extravert roles - due to the profession, circumstances, environment. Then it really becomes difficult to determine who you are in fact. Many of the top-managers, directors, Heads whom I know are deeply hidden introverts of that kind.
So, answering your question I don't think introversiveness is a problem. The main thing is not to rush into extremes-both with intro- and extraversiveness.
May 29, 2014
A good manager will recognize an introvert and work with that individual to help them thrive in the work environment.
A great way to do this is have employees submit their ideas in writing. Many introverts love this way of communicating.
The manager would then recognize that individual and their ideas at the company meetings to keep that flow going.
Everyone wins.
The introvert with the great ideas moves the company forward and the manager is a hero to the introvert because they took the extra time to help them.
Jun 19, 2014
Being introverted doesn't mean that individual cannot thrive in the work environment, Cynthia. They may not be as 'shouty' as the extroverts and so therefore get overlooked more easily.
Extroverts have as many issues to deal with and may even have more hidden so can be more difficult to provide help to.
In truth, I wold tend to elicit feedback from those in my team just as triage medics would – treat the quiet ones first – but in the context of the workplace, their quietness (introversion) may not be a sign of weakness.
May 29, 2014
Introverts do very well in certain professions and there is always a place for them on a team. If you are an introvert, embrace it as a strength. If you are in a leadership position and must manage extroverts, you'll have to adjust your management style a bit maybe. Extrovert by their nature tend to be more aggressive but that doesn't mean they work product will be more professional or they will be trusted by others as more competent. As a senior manager I understand that each employee must be approached and managed as an individual. Watch this Ted.com video. Good info here for you. http://www.ted.com/talks/susan_cain_the_power_of_introverts
May 29, 2014
This question highlights a common misconception about the old Intro/Extro dichotomy. An introvert personality is not necessarily 'Shy', or even quiet, introverts can be feisty and animated, but they seek recovery from socializing and prefer self directed activities-it is not often that we are 100% introverted or extroverted, but rather have tendencies. If you read up on the Briggs & Myer testing sites it is explained nicely. Offices are often hotbeds of jostling for attention and position, some take to this more than others-some are more ambitious. Beware of 'Typecasting' people, you may get a rude shock!
May 28, 2014
Good question! Studies have shown that in corporate America, introverts tend to be promoted less often and are viewed as leaders less often than extroverts. That could be partially because of our still narrow idea of what a leader should be like, eg. visionary, charismatic, aggressive. Slowly, that is changing. For example, in Daniel Pink's book, "To Sell Is Human", he observed that the people who are the best sales people (whom we normally think of as the stereotypical extroverts), have a good balance of introversion and extroversion. Those who are very extroverted tend to not be good listeners, while those who are very introverted tend to have poor people skills. Thus, in reality, especially in today's office environment, I would say that you need to have a combination of introversion (listening skills) and extroversion (speaking up) to succeed.
May 30, 2014
Couldn't have illustrated it better than you did out here...Kudos!
May 28, 2014
I think it depends on the field you are working in. If you are in Sales, of course being an extrovert is an advantage, but I have known many Web developers/coders and other creatives that are introverts and fare very well.
May 30, 2014
True that an introvert is not likely to perform well in a sales environment, however, if he expects his "introvert" type client to go and have beer after closing a major deal, he might even lose the deal. Just exaggerating the message here. Being aware of the personality of the person making a decision or key to channeling your deliverables is more important than the personality of the individual.
We do need web developers who can go to their corners and create the breakthrough, lest we cannot expect innovation in this world.
May 28, 2014
I'm not referencing anyone here as I don't believe that's what you're after, you're wanting personal experience I believe.
I work with both introverts and extroverts, generally speaking, the introverts are more suited to the job they are currently doing, whereas the extroverts seem more focussed on career progression.
It's fair to say that an extrovert can bring more to the roles as they are happier to train others, present to a group and drive sales. That's not to say the introverts don't get the same opportunities, they just don't take them as often.
May 28, 2014
You're surely not expecting any of them to answer that question, are you?
There are all types of character and not everyone is an extrovert. I'm not, but I am prepared to fight my own corner.
It is up to management to promote and give opportunities to the most capable/deserving/needing development not just hand it out to those with the loudest voices.
Those who do that have the best teams and most efficient departments who pull for eachother, all safe in the knowledge their own individuality is safe but appreciated.
The windbags, well, they're too worried telling everyone how great they are to realise the good managers are doing this...
May 28, 2014
According to Carl Gustav Jung`s personality types your character can be influenced by attitudes like extroversion or introversion and functions like thinking, feeling, sensation, intuition. The only question is which is dominating, which is conscious; which is auxiliary or tertiary, then you will know which one is subordinated, unconscious. For example the extrovert does possess an introverted attitude but it is unconscious. As I assume we need to face with situations in which our subordinated function and attitude are tested and which we have to work with.
In conclusion, introverts are in a very good position to face with challenging situations when they work with extroverts as extroverts too when they meet introverts.
May 28, 2014
I love this question because so many people do not pay attention to how others prefer to interact in the workplace and in sales (with prospects). As an extrovert, the 'ah-ha' moment came for me many years ago when I took a Myers Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) profile and later a DiSC assessment (liked the latter so much that I invested in a distributorship).
To answer your question, it is easy for the introvert to get lost in the crowd during meetings because of the way we process and share information. My suggestion is to begin educating your office colleagues on the different personality types so that they develop a basic understanding and respect for how others communicate. With increased understanding, I believe you will begin to see real change occur.
Two great books on the topic are Type Talk and Type Talk at Work by Otto Kroeger. You may also wish to consider having key executives (everyone if your group is smaller) take the MBTI profile to gain a better understanding of their personality type. Alternatively, you could have the same people take a DiSC assessment profile. The two profiles measure different areas, but the one crossover is introversion/extroversion, which is also measured with the DiSC assessment (Influence and Compliance). If the book and profile assessments don't do the trick, you may wish to consider providing some training around the tool you choose.
Hope this helps!
May 28, 2014
Hmmm... Mayers Briggs provides interesting data but it is only a tool, a starting point.
May 28, 2014
I agree Pádraig - both tools are simply a starting point. However, I've found that sometimes people don't even realize that their behavior (which seems normal to them) can be detrimental to others. In coaching teams, I've found that with education comes awareness. This awareness, combined with the right coaching will often lead to a change in behavior.
Dr. Shree you are spot on again. People get hired for a reason and rarely is it by error if interviewed properly. I deal with all types of personalities in my field. I look for the good or Strengths in a person and focus on developing them from there.
Some people can work themselves out of the introvert state. It is hard work however I know it can be done. I was once an introvert and if it wasn't for one of my mentors in life I who knows where I would be. It was hard for me to reach out, or make contact with people all the time. I fought through it and now? Wow!!
You will be amazed at hat an introvert can accomplish provided you deal with them in the correct manor. Great question Shariz! and again Great Answer Dr. Shree!