Carl Jung described Extroverts as a lighthouse reflecting light outwards to world and Introverts as a lantern radiating a glow inside themselves.
What Extroverts Need to Know about Introverts at work
- Like quiet for concentration
- Care about their work and workplace
- May have trouble communicating
- May know more than they reveal
- May seem quiet and aloof
- Need to be asked for their opinions and ideas (won’t simply supply them)
- Like to work on long complex problems and have good attention to detail
- Need to understand exactly why they are doing something
- Dislike intrusions and interruptions
- Need to think and reflect before speaking and acting
- Work alone contentedly
- May be reluctant to delegate
- Prefer to stay in office rather than socialise
- Do not like to draw attention to themselves
- Work well with little supervision
- May have trouble remembering names and faces
What Introverts Need to Know about Extroverts at work
- Network well and socialise with colleagues
- Keep track of the company grapevine
- Respond quickly to requests and spring into action without much advance thinking
- Enjoy talking and see interruptions as a welcome diversion
- Become impatient or bored when work is slow or repetitive
- Develop ideas through interaction and discussion
- Are good at marketing themselves
- Like to physically move around, prefer to be out and about
- Speak while they are thinking
- Have excellent verbal skills, enjoy verbal jousting and ask lots of questions
- Like to be part of the majority opinion and feel isolated without management support
- Appreciate and enjoy attention
- Like other extroverts
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Amanda Bolger is an Aziz executive coach who works with introverted leaders to improve their personal impact, address challenges such as imposter syndrome and embrace their strengths.
FURTHER READING:
- The Introvert Advantage – Marti Olsen Laney
- Quiet – The Power of Introverts in a world that can’t stop talking – Susan Cain.
- Quiet Leadership – David Rock
- Introvert Power – Laurie Helgoe
- How to Stand out and get Noticed – the Success Code – John Lees
