Personalities come in a variety of shapes and sizes. Some people have loud, outgoing, and confident social personalities, while others are quieter, shier, and more self-reliant. It's easy to assume that those who are quieter are introverts, and those who are louder are extroverts, but this assumption undercuts the concept of personality and the idea that we all fall somewhere along a spectrum.
“There is no such thing as a pure introvert or extrovert,” Carl Jung famously said. Such a person would be committed to a mental institution.” As a result, we all have a little introvert and a little extrovert in us. Certain characteristics are more prominent in some people than in others. Neither one is superior to the other.
But, in general, what is the difference between an introvert and an extrovert?
An introvert is “a person who is preoccupied with their own thoughts and feelings rather than with external things,” according to the Oxford Dictionary, while an extrovert is preoccupied with “external things or objective considerations.”
However, whether you're a shy, reserved individual or an outgoing, socially confident individual, such a simplistic explanation doesn't do these personality types justice. It's more complicated than that. Essentially, it can be summarized by asking, "How do you recharge?" Do you prefer to recharge alone or with a group of people? But what can each type teach us? Quite a bit, actually.
What can extroverts and introverts teach us?
They're intricate. You can be introverted but not shy, like Bill Gates, one of the world's wealthiest men, or an extrovert who is shy, like singer Barbara Streisand. Susan Cain explains how shyness and introversion are not the same thing in her book Quiet: The Power of Introverts. They do, however, cross paths. However, we require both in life. Extroverts, with their boundless energy and introverts, are a match made in heaven.
Introverts get their energy from being alone, which is why they may prefer to work in a closed space in the workplace – this is when you can get the most out of an introvert. Allow them to think and reflect on their own, and they will return to you with their own conclusions. Cain also mentions in her book that the world as a whole favors extroverts, which can be detrimental to a business.
Children used to work independently in cubicles, but that has changed over time. Children now work in pods, staring at one another, due to their preference for extroversion. For introverts, the constant need for brainstorming and group thinking can be a major hindrance.
The extrovert, on the other hand, thrives in communal spaces with daily meetings and open doors. They were created with the open office concept in mind. This is fantastic because extroverts, in general, want to participate and be heard. Consider team-building exercises, staff parties, and brainstorming sessions. The extrovert is energized and engaged by these things. Introverts, on the other hand, prefer smaller groups, one-on-one interactions, and flexible work arrangements (sometimes they need to have days working independently).
What's the best way to deal with both types?
It may seems that seclusion is the answer, yet bringing introverts and extroverts together can produce remarkable results. Introvert Steve Wozniak constructed the first Apple computer in his garage alone, but when he teamed up with legendary extrovert Steve Jobs, they built one of the world's most well-known and recognizable corporations.
Businesses may benefit greatly by promoting both sorts of personalities and ensuring that their staff are happy and well-cared for. Extroverts can attract clients and consumers and elicit excitement from people around them, but introverts are the ones that propel the company ahead with their profound knowledge and ideas.
It's understandably difficult to be an introvert in an extroverted culture, but in order to truly prosper, introverts need ask for what they want from the company. Although each personality type is tenacious in their own way, companies must learn to adapt to various work styles since, after all, everyone is unique. And it's within that distinction that genuine success may be found.