Last century, it was the extrovert we valued – that outgoing, gregarious individual who had strong and aggressive leadership skills, who never met a “stranger,” who could make the hard sale, and whose personality was “all over the workplace.” The 21st century, however, is the century of the introvert – that individual who is more introspective, who contemplates and analyzes, who has a quiet fortitude, who has the focus and the creativity that can spread a brand, and who will take the time to analyze and assess all possible strategies and solutions. These are the qualities that we now value in business, and here’s why:
1. Better and More Creative Writers: Introverts are, for the most part, better at telling a tale – the kinds of tales businesses want told in their content marketing. While the extrovert wants to just “tell it like it is” and get on with it, the introvert is thoughtful and more creative, weaving anecdotes, humor, and fresh information into compelling pieces for blogs, forums, social media pages, and such. Good, engaging writers are a “hot” commodity today, and the introvert can fill that need.
2. Better Listeners: Extroverts are so busy getting their points across that they often fail to listen carefully. Introverts, on the other hand, tend to absorb all that is being said, and to use that information to make someone else feel that their points and opinions count. Because they listen well, moreover, introverts have all of the facts and information to make informed decisions and to resolve issues. In an age when developing relationships with consumers, rather than just selling them something, has become so important, introverts are invaluable. They will respond to customer feedback in genuine ways; they will engage in more meaningful conversations with customers and potential customers, especially when those conversations may now take place more online than in person.
3. Online Comfort: Because they enjoy solitude and working alone, introverts are very comfortable engaging people online; they are happy to write those blog posts, to share content all over the place, and to participate in online dialogue. So much business “action” is online in the 21st century, the introvert is in his/her glory, and the company benefits as a result! As well, because introverts tend to spend a lot of time online, they tend to be highly tech-savvy and have taught themselves to do things that others cannot do.
4. Better Collaborators: In a group workplace setting, in which collaboration is needed to resolve issues and solve problems, the extrovert tends to want to be at the center of the action. S/he tends to dominate the conversation, to need to be “heard” on every point, and to want to lead the conversations and work in directions that s/he wants. The introvert, on the other hand, sits back, listens, and absorbs all that others are contributing, analyzes those contributions, and then will come up with real solution options that others have not even considered. When working as a part of a team, the introvert has no need to dominate, and everyone else can thus have equal input. The results will always be better in this environment.
5. Important Recovery Time: The introvert will participate and socialize but will also retreat for valuable “recovery” time. It is during these times that s/he can reflect, analyze, and contemplate creative methods and strategies, and bring those back to the larger group. The extrovert does not value solitude for recovery, preferring always to be around other people. It’s difficult for creative thought to percolate when the brain is always busy interacting with others.
6. Greater Focus: The introvert is happy to attack projects on his/her own and does not need a lot of re-directing or re-focusing. Because the extrovert always wants others around, distractions are pretty common occurrences, and thus focus on the task at hand is often lost.
7. More Creative: If ever creativity was needed, it is in today’s business world. Think about it. This is the age of rich, fresh content; this is the age of infographics, of media, of entertaining customers, potential customers, and visitors who come to websites, blogs and social media pages. The introvert takes the time to come up with the “catchy” titles and phrases, with those stunning headings and sub-headings, and with the content that keeps people reading and coming back to read some more!
8. Less Need for Praise/Recognition: While there is no intention here to “bash” extroverts, the introvert seems to have more ability to garner recognition and praise from within and even avoids being called out “publicly” for his/her accomplishments. The extrovert basks in such public recognition, however, and when it is not forthcoming, has a tendency to become offended when his/her accomplishments are not openly praised. The introvert has inner satisfaction, and that seems to be enough! -www.v4all.org
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