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I am sure you’ve heard someone at some point characterize or distinguish themselves as being an introvert or an extrovert. By labeling oneself as an ‘extrovert’, this group appears to naturally be out-going and enjoy being social, while those that label themselves as introverts show tendencies of being shy or quiet and don’t necessarily enjoy large crowds. While the distinction between these two groups is quite clear, it is a common misunderstanding that introversion or extroversion define and outline our personalities, when instead they are actually associated with how and where we get our energy from. Another misconception is that humans fall into one specific category of being either an introvert or an extrovert, when more often than not people are actually somewhere in the middle, which we call ambiverts. But how do you know where you get your energy from and which category you fall into? And why is this important? Humans are very complex creatures so any opportunity to get to know yourself better and more and thoroughly recognize the ways in which you operate best is a great way for you to improve in different fields and more consciously enjoy all areas of your life. There is an abundance of helpful resources online to help identify where you land, including articles, quizzes, personality tests, videos, and professional research that will assist you in grasping all there is to know about your tendencies and how you can leverage these traits to your full advantage.

Unless you happen to already know a great deal about introversion, we are sometimes quick to judge and stereotype the characteristics of introverts which typically results in a major disconnect between introverts and extroverts. Because our brains like to put people and things into boxes in an attempt to sort and categorize information, we, therefore, assume that particular groups of people are all exactly the same way. Some of these myths include;

- Introverts prefer to be alone

- Introverts are often anxious

- All introverts are shy

- Introverts are harder workers or smarter

- It can be difficult getting to know introverts as they are more closed off

- Introverts are better listeners

It may appear to be obvious that introverts, for example, would be better listeners than extroverts as they speak less often, however, this is highly inaccurate, and so are most stereotypes. Personalities are individual to each person, and people’s behaviour is based on their own experiences, not the assumptions or predicted behaviours under the category of either introversion or extroversion.

Being an introvert in the workplace can have its challenges. Whether you are an introvert or work with introverts at your job, here are some ways to understand or demonstrate the value you bring. Constant collaboration may not be a way to increase productivity for introverts in the same way it does for extroverts, so allowing this group the time to work on their own is essential. Encouraging introverts to check in with their team or upper management will remind them of the importance of communication as it's possible they may not remember or think to do so. Remind them to explain or walk others through their thought processes as their way of thinking is unique to that of extroverts. Most importantly, allow introverts to use their skills in a way that works for them without insisting they mold to specific company culture. And as an introvert, remember to explain and demonstrate your needs when it comes to the systems and processes at your place of work in order to create a sustainable and comfortable experience for everyone.

Many workplaces are unintentionally structured for extroverts, especially meetings. So as an introvert, you are likely to be searching for resources or continuously asking yourself ‘How do I survive work meetings!?’, or other group activities that bring you a sense of discomfort. Surviving should not be your goal. The ultimate goal should be for you to enjoy meetings, as well as the entirety of your job, whatever it may be. First, we need to comprehend why meetings are tricky for introverts. Meetings as we know, are a highly social and confronting experience, which is likely not appealing for someone who is exceptionally introverted. This is because this group is trying to cope with the fact that they may not have the gift of gab nor have mastered the charming rhetoric that wins people over and impresses the boss, and by the time they organize their thoughts and prepare what they’re going to say, the conversation has already moved on. Although extroverts are essential as they can be excellent at facilitating meetings and getting the ball rolling so to speak, introverts are exceptional at contributing key insights and maintaining a structure within a meeting, so prioritizing their input is critical to the success of meetings and finding actionable takeaways. As an introvert, there are lots of different ways to ensure you’re being seen and heard during a meeting, such as;

• Write down the points you want to make or bring up in advance. This will provide you with a frame of reference and show your dedication and exemplify your preparation.
  

• Learn how to speak in front of a group through practice. Being nervous when public speaking never really goes away, so instead of stressing about what you’re going to say, speak anyways and walk people through your line of thinking (remember, no one is judging you!) 
  

• Take initiative and make a suggestion to the person leading the meeting of rather than having everyone speak at the same time and race to provide their opinion, instead provide each person with the opportunity to speak and therefore everyone has a chance to be heard. 
  

• Don’t be afraid to ask obvious questions or request to re-visit a topic if you don’t have full clarity. Not only will people admire your assertiveness, but this shows that you’re engaged and alert even when you’re not speaking. 
  

• Meetings can more often than not be structured for extroverts, so explain and walk people through your difficulties or frustrations with the current setup or method and offer insight as to how it can be improved so everyone wins. 

Introverts are gifted with many unique skill sets. If you want to get an honest assessment or have something thoroughly examined, introverts have the distinctive ability of to see what others don’t. Introverts also don’t need external reinforcement as they get intrinsic rewards from completing a task and gain motivation from doing a job well done. This group is excellent at taking calculated risks as they have the competence to thoroughly assess situations, as opposed to making rash and thoughtless decisions. Introverts are proficient in many different arenas and have an aptitude for being top achievers. With endless advantages, this group has a tendency for being seriously valued as employees and are in high demand. So, whether you work alongside an introvert or categorize yourself as one, remember to explore, utilize and share your strengths to further enhance and build a compatible work environment and situation for everyone.

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