The first thing to know is that being an extravert or introvert isn't really about your volume level - it's about where you find your energy. ⚡
Extraverts tend to get energised by being surrounded by other people - they like talking ideas through, they like engaging with their environment and they prefer to jump into action without thinking things through. ✅
Introverts get their energy from thinking things through, they often prefer having time in quiet to consider ideas before sharing them and can be detailed oriented as result. ✅
Remember these are preferences that you are naturally drawn to. There's no right or wrong - both introverts and extraverts are capable of achieving exactly the same things - they just have different styles to getting there. 🧡
Where do you get your energy and when is it time to recharge?
First things first, we need to think about where we find our energy. If you are introvert working in an extraverted environment, you need to make space in your life for time alone or in one-to-one conversations. If you are extraverted in an introverts environment, you need to make time to socialise and be around big groups where you can share your thoughts and ideas.
Be aware and be flexible
Think of this as a spectrum with extraversion at one end and introversion at the other - we all need to slide up and down this scale to be productive at work, school or even in lockdown at home!
Think about the people around you - what do you think their preference might be and how can you make space for them too?
Extraverts are more likely to speak-think-speak. They like to be in an energetic atmosphere, prefer to start problem-solving as a group and find it draining when there isn't enough interaction in their lives.
Extraverts prefer to:
- share thoughts and ideas
- have group interactions
- seek fellowship in group work
- share ideas immediately and flesh them out later
To work with introverts best we should:
- ask them questions
- allow them to talk things through
- give them options
- let them dive right in
Introverts are more likely to think-speak-think. They prefer to start problem-solving individually and find too much interaction stressful.
Introverts prefer to:
- keep things to themselves
- seek small group interactions
- have autonomy in their work
- listen to others without interrupting
- have information ahead of time
To work with introverts best we should:
- give them information ahead of time
- facilitate one-to-one conversations with them
- not expect them to come up with ideas on the spot
- be aware when we're talking too much
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