A former Wall Streeter and introvert wrote an interesting
article in The New York Times about how hectic meetings and not-so-private cubicles can make it hard for shy employees to succeed in the workplace—until they learn to embrace their personalities. Unlike extroverts, who like to think on their toes (i.e., while speaking in a conference room), extroverts need time for personal reflection, and tend to thrive on one-on-one interactions. The writer succeeded on Wall Street by scheduling periods of alone time whenever they fit (before work, during lunch, etc.) and finding some office allies to bounce ideas off of.
But for those of us less high up on the corporate ladder, I also found a
list of tips for introverts in the workplace, which focuses more on feeling comfortable with your coworkers and—hopefully—making friends. Some highlights:
- E-mail your heart out. Lots of shy employees find it easier to be assertive, or even just get their thoughts across, in writing.
- Get to know your coworkers. Decorate your cubicle with (work appropriate) photographs of your family, friends, and pets, or magazine cutouts—anything to get a conversation started. And don't shy away from after-work socializing, like happy hours, to become better friends with your fellow employees.
The Times writer officially identified herself as an introvert using a Myers-Briggs test,
which you can take for free online. I took one a couple of years ago, and the feedback really helped me understand myself.
Are you an introvert or an extrovert? What obstacles does the workplace pose to each personality type?
Comments (33)
I am mostly introverted in the workplace, but that is because I choose to be. Outside of work I am completely different.
went ahead and did the test myself. apparently i'm a Guardian ESFJ type. lol sounded pretty accurate but when i went through the other types, i could see myself being all of them, LOL.
when you're at the workplace you have to have a bit of fun. i'm not saying jump on tables or go ahead and laugh in meetings. You should interact with your coworkers and try and make friends with all. these are the people you'll be seeing 40 hours a week afterall (at the very least!).
I'm not employed yet, but when I am eventually, it will be a scary experience. I am very introverted and my discomfort around people is very obvious with my quietness and tendency to avoid eye contact. I'm not quite sure what I can do to make myself less withdrawn. :\
I prefer to be introverted at work, because for me, here workplace has become a real back stabbing place. But then I am a extrovert, funny and outgoing, and after being myself, I wonder if I can trust anyone at work.
Here if you are fluently bilingual, meaning French and English, then you won't make it, whether you are good or bad at the job. Those who are terrible with their work, make it, because they are bilingual.
That is sad coming from a developed country like this!
@lot223@xanga - haha, i'm an INTJ I think. or maybe not, because that one's called "The Scientist." maybe I should take it again... :P
@sarah - LOL i think the whole thing is so broad.. i swear i could be any of them! i like the term "guardian" though, haha
I'm definitely interverted, which causes me to have to stretch myself in my career profession-but not everyone can be an introvert and it shouldn't be seen as a downfall or weakness :)
I'm a MAJOR introvert. I LOVE my alone time, but I'm human, so I do need friends and acquaintances. I just don;t have as many friends as other people. I have only worked at one job and I know the people didn't like me there because I was quiet. They didn't think I talked enough. But yeah it was at a fast food place though. I did my job ( making hte food ) so I don't "get" why they had a problem why I was quiet.
Sometimes my shyness gets in the way in interviews because I can be awkward. Also, sometimes I am afraid to call the bosses.
The e-mailing idea is good. I prefer to e-mail my professors than talk to them face to face.
@lot223@xanga - Yeah, the Myers Briggs. When I take it, I score back and forth between INTP and INTJ.
I'm an introvert, and that works out just fine where I work. It's an open office setting, and I converse politely with anyone who comes by, and get along well with everyone, I just don't feel the need to be talking all the time. Plus we are all so busy that being introverted helps a bit--you just quietly get your work done at your own pace, without the level of distraction that would normally come from being in such an open setting.
I'm ISTJ, my husband ISTP. Introverts are really people whose center of reference is internal rather than external. It makes us prefer some down time with ourselves. Certainly, we are not recharged in groups. My husband took the test as administered by a professional, and scored -49 on the introvert/extrovert scale. That means that no one can tell him anything! He has superb people skills, but wants to be left alone for hours after work.
I think you meant to say "introverts" where it's bold:
Unlike extroverts, who like to think on their toes (i.e., while
speaking in a conference room), extroverts need time for personal
reflection, and tend to thrive on one-on-one interactions.
Also, there's an interesting article written by Jonathan Rauch about introverts called Caring for your Introvert. People have this idea that introverts are shy, which, in my opinion, is a gross misconception. I have always been mistaken for being shy, but I like my alone time for quite a few reasons. I'm definitely not shy, though.
Check it out.
http://www.theatlantic.com/issues/2003/03/rauch.htm
I'm an introvert, I'm a lone wolf almost. But that should be ok because I try to avoid the "work place"
INTJ, quite the introvert. However, life has dictated that I deal. Try working retail as an introvert. You quickly learn to pretend to be happy and like people. That or you can't afford to keep a roof over your head or food on the table.
With regards to those saying they could be any of the meyer's briggs types, for myself, the only other type remotely close to my own personality is INTP, though INTJ is a much better match. All the others, not even close.
i came to this entry expecting something sexual and was disappointed :(
If you own a blog, you're most likely an introvert.
I am an introvert; I hate company meetings.
I'm an introvert, but I force myself to act like an extrovert at work because it seems to help me succeed. I work quietly on my own as much as I can, but when I need to interact, I act like an extrovert in order to facilitate good relationships with my bosses and coworkers.
I am an introvert in my workplace. i cant really express my feelings verbally. for me, emails work better. and im not always comfortable with unfamiliar faces.
i scored in the 90th percentile on the myers-briggs for introvert and i score high on other types of personality tests for introversion, but i can't say it's something that's held back my career...i think you can be an introvert and still contribute and be productive at work...personally, i need my alone time, if i blurted every random thought that came into my head without filtering it, i'd probably offend more people than i do already...
Shyness is not introversion. According to the Big Five, a much more scientific and developed personality theory than the MBTI (although similar in ways), shyness is linked to Neuroticism (sensitivity, negative emotions), and not a lack of Extroversion.
Introversion = I don't want to interact with people
Shyness = I want to interact with people, but I'm afraid.
The social aspects of extroversion are only 2 out of 6 sub-traits of the main trait. Being assertive, having a need for excitement, being cheerful are three of the others.
I did come across the statement that Extroversion and Neuroticism have been shown to have inverse relationship, and that lead me to realize that Neuroticism can be predominant and interfere with the other traits. Neuroticism is like your body's alarm system. When the fire alarm goes off, you drop what you're doing and find out what's wrong. If there's no fire, you still want to turn that annoying beeping off.
Applying this to introversion, high anxiety (especially social anxiety) from the neuroticism trait can end up causing an extrovert to appear like an introvert.
Introvert here. It's hard being the only introvert in a kitchen full of outgoing women. I suck it up and do what I can to socialize though.
I'm introverted and I find it very hard at my workplace(s). I don't work in an office though. But since I'm more like customer service I have to deal with cracky people, guys hitting on me, and people stepping into my "office" to talk to me even though I don't want to talk to them. Being an introvert in college is extremely difficult also. People don't understand my need just to be by myself for a while. I gave up trying to explain ._.
Get post! Thanks! = D
I'm introvert in real life, Extrovert online.
I've never hada job and i'm 20, the idea of interacting with people I dont know terrifies me.
@sarahb_86@xanga - I am totally the same way! I act one way at work and a totally different way outside of work.