Introverse vs. Extroverse

After hearing a TED Talk discussion on the radio the other day, I was intrigued by the concept of Extroversion versus Introversion. Susan Cain, a former corporate lawyer and negotiations consultant, and author of the book Quiet: the Power of Introverts in a World that Can't Stop Talking, discusses how society is geared toward extroverts and how this ignores the ideas, talent, and happiness of introverts. Before I continue, however, what are extroverts and introverts?

Extroverts are typically people who enjoy talking, are outgoing, make friends easily, and gain energy from being around people. Introverts are generally less talkative, enjoy their alone-time, think deeply, and are usually drained by social situations. These are common characteristics for each personality type. Jobs that are geared toward extroverts include being a pharmacist, event planner, human resource specialist, firefighter/police officer, advertising professional/sales representative, and other such occupations; all of these involve thinking as you talk as well as personally interacting with people face-to-face. Jobs that are geared toward introverts include being an artist, chef, engineer, computer programmer, lawyer, and so on; these careers focus on things that need getting done without interruptions or interactions with other people.


The most common misconceptions about extroverts are that extroverted people are all talk and no game, are afraid of time alone, are less creative than introverts, are needy, and don't listen. These characteristics, although they may hold true in some cases, are not concrete fact. Although extroverted people may be talkative, this does not mean lack attention or being personable. Although they are outgoing, they do not fear being lonesome. Although introverts generally tap into their inner thought more often (where creativity comes from), this does not make extroverts less creative as they still have the ability to think deeply. Just because extroverts enjoy social interaction does not mean they are afraid of being alone.

 

The same pattern holds true to introverts. People stereotype introverts with assumptions such as introverts are socially challenged, don't have fun, must be dragged into conversation, are not team players, and do not make good leaders. Introverts usually like to survey the situation before committing to a social interaction, but this does not mean they are challenged. Anybody who says introverts don't have fun can just plain go to hell. I shouldn't even have to explain that. Any team needs a wide variety of players, and introverts have their place on the team. Many historical leaders have been introverts, such as Abe Lincoln, Gandhi, and Jesus. This shows that even though introverts often enjoy being alone, they come out of the woodwork sometimes and have great contributions to the team.

After doing some research and taking a few personality quizzes to get a basis, I found out that I completely split the Introvert-Extrovert spectrum. I learned after taking one quiz that there was such a thing as an Ambivert. In other words, I exhibit characteristics of both an Introvert and an Extrovert. What does this mean? Well, I'm a weirdo, for one...I probably have less friends than an Introvert. Whatever the case, I take pride in the fact that I'm different.