“Managing an Extravert” = 2 search results
“Managing an Extrovert*” = 8 search results
“Managing an Introvert” = 407 search results (plus 57 images)
That’s the Boolean search results for those specific terms in Google today.
Granted, my search results may differ slightly to yours based on my previous history, but this is indicative of a wider challenge.
The perception of introversion is one of shy, socially-awkward or quiet individuals, who may not interact in group sessions.
Jung’s original definition also went as far to suggest introverts were manipulative and cunning.
In reality, introverts tend to think-to-speak.
They tend to reflect on recieved stimuli and information – often not showing this outwardly.
Studies have shown that extroverts tend to utilise the Behavioural Activation System in the brain more often, resulting in a preference for goal focus.
Introverts tend to have a preference for the Behavioural Inhibition System, resulting in greater risk awareness, reflection and consideration before making decisions.
This is a superpower.
Being able to spot, identify, consider and reflect on the blind spots that some others may have in situations is critical to innovation, ideation, and success.
Yet, as the search results show, there is such a bias towards accepting extroversion as the “norm”, that these powers are left on the shelf.
This lack of diversity – and, more importantly, the inclusive environment to permit all to contribute purposefully – is Kryptonite to businesses.
We likely have the people we need for success in our organisations.
But do we permit them to contribute in ways that allow those superpowers to be utilised?
Do we have a culture that supports our organisational strategy, and allows all to contribute purposefully without fear of ridicule or reprimand?
Or do we insist on “cameras on”, meetings without pre-shared agendas, and unintentional encouragement to look “busy” with back-to-back work?
Get in touch to have a chat about creating a culture that unleashes those superpowers.
* “𝘌𝘹𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘵” 𝘢𝘯𝘥 “𝘌𝘹𝘵𝘳𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘵” 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘣𝘰𝘵𝘩 𝘢𝘤𝘤𝘦𝘱𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘌𝘯𝘨𝘭𝘪𝘴𝘩 𝘴𝘱𝘦𝘭𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘴 – 𝘢𝘭𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩 “𝘌𝘹𝘵𝘳𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘵” 𝘵𝘦𝘯𝘥𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘣𝘦 𝘶𝘴𝘦𝘥 𝘪𝘯 𝘱𝘴𝘺𝘤𝘩𝘰𝘭𝘰𝘨𝘺 𝘥𝘪𝘴𝘤𝘶𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴.
