Being an introvert should not be a problem in our society, yet it is. According to author Susan Cain, schools and workplaces are designed for extroverts and corporate America often doesn’t allow introverts to be introverted.
Cain wrote a book called Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking, in which she suggests that very smart people are being underutilized because society is forcing them into the notion that they must become extroverts to be successful. She also delivered a very powerful speech on this topic that I’ve posted below.
Cain speaks from experience. Despite degrees from Princeton University and Harvard Law School, she categorizes herself as being extremely introverted, dislikes public speaking, and considers solitude to be a crucial element for creativity. Cain left behind the world of law for the quieter life as a writer, in part because she realized she’d spent a lifetime making “self-negating choices so reflexively” that she wasn’t even aware she was making them.
According to Cain, a third to a half of the population are introverts, and all of them are subject to a deep bias in a world slanted toward extroverts. She points out that introversion is not shyness, which is based on a fear of social judgement. Introversion, instead, is based more on how you respond to stimulation, especially in a social setting. Extroverts crave large amounts of stimulation where introverts generally feel more alive and capable when they are in quieter, more low-key environments.
As a life-long extrovert, I had never really considered the bias described by Cain. Rose Etienne (Call Center) made me aware of this topic. According to Rose, “For introverts, quiet time is their source of stimulation, energy and creativity.” All too often I simply walk the halls of NDB, 1762, 1599, and the Woodruff Library, gleaning article ideas by talking to anyone and everyone I see. It makes me wonder if folks run when they hear me coming.
Further research in articles by NPR and USA Today suggest that not only are introverts the quiet strength of the workforce, but that extroverts often disappoint their coworkers in the end because they do not live up to the bluster of their constant chatter. Suddenly, I’m feeling shy!
My challenge in all of this is to reach out to you, my readers and colleagues, and simply ask for your help. One bit of commentary in this topic is that extroverts do not listen well, but I am ready to listen to you. I believe that the majority of my peers in OIT are introverts and my mandate is to help you tell your story. What are you ideas? How can I best reach out to you for your opinions? Please contact me at wade [dot] moricle [at] emory [dot] edu or simply comment below.
I sincerely believe you will enjoy Susan Cain’s presentation and make sure you pay attention to her Three Calls to Action, as they speak to all of us…the extroverts AND the introverts.
I hope this article spurs some discussion in this section because I am constantly thinking about ways to gather and deliver our organization’s message. My dream is that anyone in OIT, whether they are introverted or extroverted, executive or front-line worker, will feel comfortable in reaching out to me to help get their message across.
I am an introvert and I like this article. You do sometimes get labeled negatively when you are an introvert. Thanks for publishing.