If introverted personality traits affect your work, remember that introverts have a different set of characteristics, skills and talents than extroverts. These characteristics make interesting (and sometimes challenging) for introverts and extroverts to work together!
When introverts at work are misunderstood, they are thought to be uncooperative, withdrawn, or unmotivated. An introvert at work may appear not to be a team player.
“Unlike extroverts, who wear their personalities on their sleeves, introverts often keep their best to themselves. With extroverts you see what you get,” say Otto Kroeger and Janet Thuesen, authors of Type Talk at Work. “With introverts, what you see is only a portion of their personality. The richest and most trusted parts of an introvert’s personality are not necessarily shared with the outside world. It takes time, trust, and special circumstances for them to begin to open up.”
Introverts at work may not appear as “together” as extroverts. Since introverts are quiet and prefer to listen instead of speak, introverts at work often surprise coworkers and supervisors with their depth of knowledge.
The following characteristics of introverts at work are adapted from The Introvert Advantage by Marti Olsen Laney.
Characteristics of Introverts at Work
Introverts at work tend to:
- Like quiet for concentration.
- Care about their work and workplace.
- Work well with little supervision (you can usually trust an introvert at work to stay on task).
- Work alone contentedly.
- Seem quiet and aloof.
- Need to be asked for their opinions (introverts at work rarely volunteer information).
- Need to think and reflect before acting.
- Have trouble communicating (though not all introverts at work struggle with communication)
- Dislike intrusions and interruptions.
- Be reluctant to delegate.
Since North American culture promotes teamwork and communication, introverts at work may struggle to succeed at work. Extroverts at work enjoy attention, network well, and are good at marketing themselves. These personality traits make them appear to be better at their jobs than introverts, but appearances are often deceiving!
Happy, Successful Introverts at Work
To be succeed at work, introverts must:
- be aware of their introverted personality characteristics; and
- be willing to tell coworkers and supervisors about their introverted characteristics
The more introverted personality traits are understood, the more comfortable introverts will be at work -- and the more they'll succeed!
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Laurie Pawlik-Kienlen - Laurie Pawlik-Kienlen is a full-time writer and blogger in Vancouver, BC, and the creator of the Quips and Tips blog series.
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