HBR Learnings online leadership training helps you hone your skills with courses like Leading People. If thats the case she recommends providing your team with reading materials about the quiet power of introverts, pointing to high-profile, successful introverts, such as Beth Comstock, chief marketing officer at General Electric, or identifying a leader in your organization who is an introvert and willing to talk about it publicly. Talk to your team, too, about the ways in which personality differences drive performance. So, Alice, thank you so much for joining us today. By contrast, extroverts draw energy from the outside world: they feel energized when they've spent time with other people, especially when in large groups. And now I actually, instead of losing sleep for two weeks ahead of an engagement, I actually wake up in the morning and look at my calendar and think, huh? typically fall into one of two camps: People who are more outgoing (extroverts) questions and understand their task, and then focus on their task alone. Very often, they will work hard to figure out a solution rather than, or before, going to someone to talk it out. Published: 25 Mar, 2022. I may call myself a bit of an introvert, but I'm in good company. Extroversion and introversion are used to define two ends of a personality spectrum. How did you force yourself to do things when you were consumed with that concern of should I or should I not speak up? become annoyed with how the other works. In other situations, have you found that other coping mechanism have been helpful for sort of getting past your shyness? Its not that kind of micro-observation in every nanosecond of every day. Allow them to work how they feel Theyre conscientious about their work in that they take time to ask the right questions and it could involve an extensive line of questioning to ensure they fully understand their tasks. On the other hand, Allie, an introvert, has a more formal writing style, complete with bullet points. Being an extrovert or an introvert is not better than the other. Extroverts and introverts both have a key role to play in building a cohesive, effective workforce. Tina Tobey Mack edited the original episode. Introverts in the workplace. We are now at a point in corporate culture where it has become socially acceptable to talk about this. For good reason, she says. Or, can we like figure out what the bullet points here, or can we figure out what the plan is? I would encourage our listeners to definitely check that out if they havent already. How did you overcome that concern? Introverts learn to live in a world not geared for them and survive. What do you think would be helpful for you to hear, for other women like you to hear as we finish this episode up? And thats awful because its so public. The other problem is that you cant always predict when youre going to be put on the spot, or when youre going to be challenged, or anyone of those situations that might trigger a sort of shy reaction. Expertise from Forbes Councils members, operated under license. Starting with things that are like a three and then practice things that are a three, then a four, then a five, and then theyll work their way up. Should I stop doing that? AMANDA KERSEY: Hi. Introverted leaders tend to be less reactive than extroverted leaders. Introversion and Extroversion both have strengths and weaknesses that can affect performance as an employee, manager, or leader. For By contrast, when team members are proactive and take the initiative to introduce changes, champion new visions, and promote better strategies it is introverted leaders who have the advantage. But it is also important that, at times, leaders not let the extroverts take all the attention when there are other people looking to pitch in. resentment and cause unnecessary stress. Many extroverts thrive in fast-paced settings with lots of people and are stimulated by team collaboration, multitasking and adapting to sudden changes. 1. This gives people who prefer head down time the freedom to have that, but it also gives extroverts the knowledge that there will be time to talk things out, she says. So, it was really helpful for me to hear more about what the experience was like for both of you. type of employee wont be the first one to speak up. ALICE BOYES: Yeah. AMY GALLO: But Amy you had, even prior to being 50, you had a lot of career success. Again, it comes back to the shame thing. At the same time, you need to make sure that your extroverts dont get discouraged by everyone retreating to their cubes. While managing introverts, your responsibility is to help develop their natural skills and boost their comfort and confidence level in the workplace so that they can achieve the credit, respect and career advancement theyve earned. LAURA: Well its definitely changed over time. Introverts and extroverts can both be assets to your company if you know how to manage them. Yet introverts strengths are often locked up because of the way work is structured. Personality has many facets, but one somewhat binary example to consider is whether each employee is an introvert or an extrovert. Season Hughes. Ive gotten a little bit better at that over time, just I think by experience and sort of forcing myself to endure situations where I just have to do it. EMILY CAULFIELD: It feels great. Or, is it that its uncomfortable for me? At Amazon, every meeting begins in total silence. Sep 16, 2021. This is a BETA experience. If some of your employees are now in the office and some are at home, it's especially important to ensure that the introverts on your team aren't . So, the persons sort of creating a self-fulfilling prophecy there and that can sort of further fade into a negative self-image that theyre just not as robust and not as resilient as other people. They thrive on social contact, moving around, talking to people, being vocal in meetings, thinking on the fly, multi-tasking, making quick decisions and articulating their thoughts as they go along. LAURA: Thank you so much. and develop to their companies benefit. This is something Ive been dealing with forever. Within each term, there are different types of sub-personalities and a spectrum on which individuals reside. Managing Extroverts - Harnessing the Energy of Your "People People" A lot of that is a sexism thing, right? when that method may not be optimal for a particular situation. Make Im also very shy, so Im really happy that you wrote into us. And she shares strategies to work through some aspects of shyness that may hold you back as a leader. Empathy and a propensity toward more thoughtful communication made introverts shine, adds Beth Buelow, a career coach and author of The Introvert Entrepreneur. Introverts may try to stay quiet in a meeting. "That tendency to put others in . and sharing. Build a better team and achieve more of what matters. A list of qualities associated with introverts that explain why they make Because of their preference for independent work, introverts won't tend to need excessive supervision to get a task done. Some may avoid small talk with others entirely to save their social energy for meaningful conversations with those they are close to. There is an element of generalisation in the above synopsis, of course, just as there is in negative traits associated with being an extrovert; traits such as impulsiveness and dismissing, or not listening to, the views of quieter colleagues. And so a lot of that will just be stage to stage, really. Being an introvert just means that my physical and emotional batteries run low in social situations. Introverts recharge with reflection, deep dives into their inner landscape to research ideas, and focus deeply on work. ALICE BOYES: And so, I think looking at it like that, ask yourself, if I was having this happen, and I wasnt ashamed of it, what would I be saying? The HR Dept writes: They may not be as noticeable as other characteristics such as age, sex or race, but understanding personality traits is an important part of creating an effective team. With more than 90+ locations across the country, youll find a local team that knows the region, backed by the power of a national footprint. dont need a lot of interaction with people. Extroverts, on the other hand, often prefer larger crowds. Introverts can be valuable assets to their companies. They are more likely to reflect on questions asked of them, taking time to formulate their answers. So, maybe Ill ask you about the coping mechanism first that Laura brought up. EMILY CAUFIELD: Yeah. The more that you can help the other people feel comfortable with it, the better. And I probably will always be a shy person, but Im hoping that I get to the point where Amy is, where Ive encountered these experiences enough where I can handle them and I can be OK with doing them and not be ashamed of my nervousness that might be apparent to other people. Managing a group of individuals with a mix of personalities who differ in how they react to tasks, speaking up and responsibilities can be challenging. So whereas my shyness might hold me back from saying something, or interrupting, or jumping in with my ideas, putting something in a chat box allows me to get my ideas out there, but I can craft the way its presented and people can absorb it when they see it. Bubba's Q boneless ribs first appeared on Season 5 of the hit ABC show. While they won't likely share their feelings in large group settings, it is in the connections they make with individuals that they will comfortably express themselves. recognition is a great, more personal and quiet way of passing on the kudos, The can micromanage or be overly critical of fellow team members. Do goals, Peer EMILY CAULFIELD: Yeah, I re-listened to the episode from Season Two, Perfect is the Enemy, where the team spoke to you and you had a lot of great strategies. For them, being around people is energizing. The conversation helped Meg think about how to get the best from each individualparticularly when it comes to team meetings. Sometimes it helps to pretend to be an extrover t. There will always be time to be quiet later. Communication between introverts and extroverts in meetings | Rise What Is Introversion? ALICE BOYES: So, anxious people are really, really good at getting things done when they find something thats more important to them than avoiding anxiety. The people who talk more can annoy those who talk less, and the Extroverts can be Great Sales Personnel Extroverts have fewer problems with meeting people face to face. Consider the valuable characteristics introverts bring to the table. So, they think the only reason I was able to do well in this situation is because I really over prepared. Boyes adds that there are professional advantages of some personality traits related to shyness like sensitivity and thoughtfulness. team knows its OK to be themselves. They aren't distracted by needing to integrate themselves into social situations and are comfortable being alone with their thoughts. We all have preconceived notions about the personality types are associated with good leadership like confidence or emotional intelligence. Why introverts excelled at working from home - BBC Worklife Our understanding of extroversion and introversion also comes from the work of Dr Hans Eysenck. Or, the only reason I did well in this situation was because it was one on one, all of these kinds of things. After discussing the issue with one of her HR colleagues, Meg had her team take the Myers-Briggs personality type indicator. And she said that it was working. ALICE BOYES: They can work. they have a favored process for completing certain tasks? Here's the upshot: A quarter-century after California banned race-based admissions at public universities, school officials say they haven't been able to meet their diversity and equity goals . Because thats not the idea. And so, her success is a little bit determined by those things and by her using those strengths, not by how well she can hide her anxiety. They are therefore analytical and critical: a quiet force, who is naturally in the process of thinking about a subject and going deeper. growth. But it was such a liberating birthday for me. We assessed each store leaders levels of extraversion how assertive, talkative, bold, and energetic he or she was. Theyre comfortable with risk-taking and multitasking. People who score highly in extroversion tend to be talkative and thrive in social situations, as they enjoy the company of others. Insperity has been showing companies how to harness the power of HR since 1986. And an example in this case would be, for example with over preparing, you would make a hierarchy to practice not over preparing. How extroverts work and communicate in the workplace. EMILY CAULFIELD: And I was so glad that Laura agreed to come on the show. So, it is important to understand that. Understand the motive behind their actions, which is usually that they We talked about our gifts and talents, what motivates us, and how each of us makes a contribution to the company based on our strengths, she says. natural talents. The goal is not to become less anxious or to hide your anxiety better. Give yourself the time to take a step back, look at the full picture and understand the factsthen make your decision. Introversion and high sensitivity can also end up looking like shyness. My job as their manager is to get them to the point where theyre most comfortable so they can perform at their best., Recently, for instance, Mat led a meeting on the topic of implementing an Agile methodology into the companys marketing unit. AMY BERNSTEIN: I mean even in a meeting, when you say something, and the room responds positively, how does that make you feel? People HBR Learnings online leadership training helps you hone your skills with courses like Team Management. So, I think thats positive. And I feel like Amy you were the answer, the clear answer that yes you can. But I do worry that thats not always the most useful. And then that becomes a huge problem over time where people think that the only way that they can succeed is through being like highly perfectionistic, and then when more responsibilities come in, or in situations which they cant be super perfectionistic and super over prepared, then their wheels start to come off. Their So, when you break it down you can see more how those are useful tendencies. So if you miss all the personal space you once had, I get it! What tips and tricks do they use? AMY GALLO: But I do wonder if thinking about helping someone who is shy, whether its someone you manage or someone youre mentoring, is putting them on the spot like Amy B. is doing for you in those meetings, is that helpful? AMY GALLO: Yeah. And I would re-conceptualize that and have her think about how her success is a later will be determined by how well she uses her strengths. That said, you can have a bit of fun in this area, engaging Myers-Briggs profiling and organising workshops on communication styles for instance. It was a situation where I really felt like I was watching someone in a leadership position, the kind of position that I am headed for and I didnt know if I could do it, and I didnt know if I wanted to do it specifically because of my wiring. The Pros and Cons of Being an Extrovert in the Workplace can appear hesitant to share opinions and ideas with others. Studies find that introverts make up one-third to one-half of the population. It feels good to know that you value my opinion and you value my input. Because they are not vying for attention and looking for the next opportunity to talk, introverts pay attention to verbal and nonverbal communication and can use this information as part of their reflection. In meetings or other group settings, some people will talk more and some A complete HR service designed for the unique needs of small businesses. Before any conversation can occur, everyone must quietly read a six-page memo about the meetings agenda for 20 to 30 minutes. and more subtle in how you honor introverts. I mean, first word to last, absolutely beautifully written. Not work? This podcast has talked a lot before about the double standards and how women are judged more harshly from mistakes than men are, and their mistakes are remembered longer, and all of that kind of thing. Introverts have many outstanding qualities that their managers can leverage In fact, some of the most well-known U.S. CEOs today also identify as introverts, including Bill Gates, Warren Buffett and . EMILY CAULFIELD: Mm hm. There are certainly some things that you can do to have a different relationship with things like rumination and over preparing, and perfectionism thats aimed at preventing disasters or hiding say flaws and all of those kinds of things. Your social and professional networks are extensive, and you tend to embrace risk-taking opportunities. or advancing to leadership positions. This self-assurance can help extroverts take risks in their work that might benefit them in the long term. perfection. While extroverts often seek social stimulation, to introverts, socializing can drain energy. Chief Operating Officer at Near and CEO of Near Americas. Managers must set the expectation from the outset that everyone on the They prefer to concentrate on a single task at a given time. Extroverts gravitate toward groups and they tend to think out loud. So, people develop coping mechanism and then something about their situation changes. In my experience, results-driven extroverts are often not afraid to say what is on their mind regarding solutions and ideas. They are typically open-plan, attention is granted to them in meetings because theyll always speak up, and their energy is associated with leadership. How to Bring out the Best in Introverts There was a situation that kind of became a real soul-searching moment for me and sort of sent me down a pathway of really wanting to interrogate this whole thing and make some decisions around it. Many occupy But that doesnt mean that you cant pick up on key However, this step forward requires the more direct acknowledgement of the many unseen . Their strengths of reflection and observation also enable introverts to be more aware of their own reaction and feelings. 6 Overlooked Superpowers of Introverts in the Workplace It's also challenging for us introverts to encounter so many different personalities at work, many of whom are extroverted. Each person should understand that they bring a unique style for thinking They The above scenario depicts the most common communication styles of introverts and extroverts in meetings and other workplace settings. The strengths of people HIGH in Extroversion (Extroverts) People with high extroversion tend to relate well to others, and are often well-liked in their teams and offices. We found that extroverted leadership was linked to significantly higher store profits when employees were passive but significantly lower store profits when employees were proactive. Its such a pleasure to be here. Theyre Trying to do so will only undermine your employees confidence, foster document.getElementById( "ak_js_5" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); document.getElementById( "ak_js_7" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Have www.hrdept.co.uk/solihull. Cain notes that some introverts might be reluctant to open up. Managing Extroverts in the Workplace - RallyBright And I dont want to put people on the spot or put them in an awkward situation., At the same time, Mat wants to make sure his introverted employees have a voice at the table that others hear, too. Listen to the original Women at Work episode: Discover 100 years of Harvard Business Review articles, case studies, podcasts, and more at. And so, if something sort of disrupts peoples coping, it can show up more or something about the nature of their role changes. they may not say anything at all. And what you do is you have the person practice not over preparing, starting near the bottom. You know, decades of literature showing that type of exposure is an extremely potent way to lower anxiety. There is little need to push them into being active in group settings, and their skill in communication often makes them great conversationalists. Do they work? Dont react negatively to a controlled, less emotional response. You enjoy their sensitivity. tendencies that can hinder introverts from gaining notice for their contributions preference for working alone is at odds with the team-based, collaborative As such, many introverts view alone time and solitude as a mental oasis where they can reflect and recharge. But I almost always decide yes, I should. There is actually a spectrum of extroversion and many people may appear in the middle as they have adapted to their place in the world they still probably recognise themselves as being more comfortable as an introvert or extrovert though. them directly what they think once others have shared their ideas. Related: A 5-Step Approach to Managing Imposter Syndrome. In stores with passive employees, those led by extroverts achieved 16% higher profits than those led by introverts. I dont really care. Extroversion and introversion are terms used to define two ends of a personality spectrum, and there is no-one-size-fits-all approach to anyone. She said that over time it had all gotten a lot better, and she had gained some confidence. Introverts grew up in a world that promoted and applauded extroverted characteristics. The goal is to be less ashamed of being anxious, Boyes tells Women at Work hosts Amy Bernstein, Emily Caulfield, and Amy Gallo. For each of the following dimensions, indicate the extent to which each of the following words describes you, with a 5 indicating very much so and a 1 indicating not at all: assertive, talkative, bold, not reserved, and energetic. And it can also assure management can get the best out of the introverted members, in addition to the more extroverted ones. Extroverts, for instance, tend to tackle their assigned work promptly; theyre quick, sometimes rash decision makers. Other things are strategically avoiding certain circumstances where I didnt feel like it was going to have negative consequences for me personally or professionally. Introverts, Extroverts, and the Complexities of Team Dynamics Its not the blushing that you need to overcome, you need to overcome the shame over the blushing. The actual problem is shame about anxiety or shyness, and not anxiety itself. And then the last one is that I just really over prepare. Actually, like medication. Insperity guide to leadership and management, Full-Service HR for Middle Market Businesses, Human Capital Management & HR Technology Suite, Scalable HR and payroll administration infrastructure, Risk mitigation and HR-related compliance, Advanced workforce technology and analytics, As-needed support from an HR service team. It feels good to know that your idea resonates with other people and to kind of be proud that you spoke up. Would you call yourself an introvert or extrovert? But in the long run, staying true to your temperament is key to finding work you love and work that matters. Offer thorough answers to their questions and detailed explanations for tasks. In my experience, many introverts do well at these things because it provides them with the opportunity to clearly present their ideas logically and uninterrupted without the need for social responses and cues from others to continue the topic. Its about the shame and the avoidance. They are able to remain calm and composed under pressure, which helps them make better decisions in high-stress situations. If you are an extrovert, you have an advantage in most Western societies. everyone on your team a Myers-Briggs test, Send the meeting agenda in advance and occasionally ask for written feedback to give introverts time to formulate their thoughts and summon the courage to share them, Allow people to work the way they want to; extroverts should feel comfortable taking time to socialize, while introverts should have license to work remotely or take breaks from the team, Assume you already know everything about introversion and extroversionmake an effort to learn about how personality impacts work preferences and styles, Overload your team with meetings; give colleagues ample uninterrupted work time during the day, Let a certain dominant personality do all the talking; encourage that person to reflect and listen. or speaking at a conference then dont force it. And then its compounded by the shyness which to me is more of a fear of criticism, a fear of judgment, a fear of exposure, and thats just like been with me as long as I can remember. The problem is that it doesnt always work. Educate yourself Extroverts and introverts take "dramatically different approaches to work and social processes," says Cain. Im not afraid of talking in front of a group. Its always good to speak up when you have something to say. Introvert vs. Extrovert: How to Recognize and Manage the Differences January 28, 2021 Justin Tierney/EyeEm/Getty Images Summary. It wouldnt add enough value, so I might as well as just shut up. And does it really make a difference? If this reflects your workspace, consider small design changes next time you have the opportunity. As an introverted leader, I like to listen first and give my full attention to what my team members are saying before I respond. When is it window dressing? To test this idea, my colleagues Adam Grant of Wharton, Dave Hofmann of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and I studied a U.S. pizza-delivery chain. If your team does clash more than youd like, or seems to be missing some spark, it may be time to explore personality types and modify your management. shy. How to engage introverts in the workplace: 15 strategies they'll love And like putting myself in her shoes, I could have seen myself completely freezing, completely a deer in the headlights, freaking out, retreating, withdrawing, and not rising to the occasion. How can you get the best from deep, quiet team members during meetings? So, when I know that Im going to need to defend myself, or take a position on something, or have a tough conversation with somebody, or be very public or have to give a presentation in front of a particular stressful group of people, I am thinking through every eventuality. And thats also the problem. So, theres a lot of overlapping concepts there, and some people who identify as shy dont necessarily identify as socially anxious. true to your standards, as well as the rules and procedures youve set. But first well hear from an expert I interviewed who broadened and deepened my thinking around what shyness is. And I think I definitely had that and more to the point, I didnt want to come off as an idiot. A look at practices used in some organizations points to an answer. AMY BERNSTEIN: Yeah and acknowledge that. While it is true that introverts dont tend to dominate conversations compared to extroverts, this doesnt mean they don't want to speak up to share their knowledge about a topic that interests them. Because its useful for other people to understand a little bit more because others will get equally awkward. they like to take time to ponder before giving you their opinion? about different personalities and working styles (for example, how to work well And I would want to do it for that very reason. or inferior. The stereotype of a successful leader is dominated by extroverted characteristics. Introverts often require time for introspection after a task, perhaps to think about what they couldve done better and to assess what they learned for future purposes. People EMILY CAULFIELD: Yep. 5. Its these stereotypical masculine qualities have been associated with leadership. As a shy person, the performance-related prospect of being on the show is a little nerve wracking and just like talking about something thats like painful and personal. ALICE BOYES: Yeah. Earn badges to share on LinkedIn and your resume. Be specific in your praise and in your critiques (without being overly flattering). Do According to this line of thought, leadership demands personal qualities usually associated with extroversion such as being.
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