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Signs of an Introvert Personality: Types, Traits & Characteristics

Written by Rachel Reiff Ellis

In this Article

  • What Is an Introvert?
  • Signs You Might Be an Introvert
  • Causes of Introversion
  • Types of Introverts
  • Introversion Versus Shyness
  • Myths About Introverts

What Is an Introvert?

An introvert is a person with qualities of a personality type known as introversion, which means that they feel more comfortable focusing on their inner thoughts and ideas, rather than what’s happening externally. They enjoy spending time with just one or two people, rather than large groups or crowds.

When you hear the word introvert, you might think of someone who's shy or quiet and prefers to be alone. While that may be true for some introverts, there's much more to this personality type. Whether you're an introvert or an extrovert all depends on how you process the world around you.

A psychologist named Carl Jung began using the terms introvert and extrovert (sometimes spelled extravert) in the 1920s. These two personality types sort people into how they get or spend their energy. Introverts, Jung said, turn to their own minds to recharge, while extroverts seek out other people for their energy needs.

Signs You Might Be an Introvert

Around one-third to one-half of all people in the U.S. are introverts. Though it looks different in everyone, introverts have many of the same patterns of behavior. In general, introverts:

  • Need quiet to concentrate
  • Are reflective
  • Are self-aware
  • Take time making decisions
  • Feel comfortable being alone
  • Don't like group work
  • Prefer to write rather than talk
  • Feel tired after being in a crowd
  • Have few friendships, but are very close with these friends
  • Daydream or use their imaginations to work out a problem
  • Retreat into their own mind to rest

One way to find out if you're an introvert is to take a test, such as the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) or the SAPA project.

Causes of Introversion

Scientists don't know for sure if there's a cause for introversion or extroversion. What they do know is the brains of the two personality types work a little differently from each other. Researchers have found that introverts have a higher blood flow to their frontal lobe than extroverts do. This part of the brain helps you remember things, solve problems, and plan ahead.

Introvert brains also react differently to dopamine than extrovert brains do. That's a chemical that turns on the reward- and pleasure-seeking part of your brain. Introverts and extroverts have the same amount of the chemical, but extrovert brains get an excited buzz from their reward center. Introverts, on the other hand, tend to just feel run-down by it.

Types of Introverts

Being an introvert isn't an all-or-nothing stamp on your personality. Psychologists think of introverts as falling somewhere on a scale. Some people are more introverted than others. Other people fall right in the middle of the scale. They're called ambiverts.

Introverts usually have a few extroverted traits mixed in with their introverted ones, and vice versa. There are a wide range of ways to be an introvert.

One study shows that introverts tend to fall into one of four subtypes:

Social introverts. This is the "classic" type of introvert. Social introverts like small groups and quiet settings over crowds.

Thinking introverts. People in this group are daydreamers. They spend a lot of time in their thoughts and tend to have creative imaginations.

Anxious introverts. They seek out alone time not just because they like it, but also because they often feel awkward or shy around people.

Restrained/inhibited introverts. These introverts think before they act. They aren't likely to make a decision on a whim. Typically they take longer to take action.

Your introverted ways may change over time, and in different settings, too. You're not likely to swing from introvert to extrovert. But it's possible you could become more or less introverted, depending on what's going on in your life.

Introversion Versus Shyness

Many people think of introverts as shy, but the two aren’t linked. Introversion is a personality type, while shyness is an emotion.

People who are shy tend to feel awkward or uncomfortable when they’re in social situations, especially when they’re around strangers. They may feel so nervous, they become sweaty. Their heart may beat quicker, and they may get a stomachache. They may be inclined to skip social events because they don’t like the negative feelings that take over their thoughts and bodies when they have to go to parties or other activities.

People who are introverted also prefer to skip social events, but it’s because they feel more energized or comfortable doing things on their own or with one or two other people. Introverts don’t choose to skip social events because they have strong negative reactions to larger gatherings the way that shy people do; they just prefer being alone or in very small groups.

Myths About Introverts

One common myth about introverts is that they’re shy. Some introverts may be shy, but this is not the case for all introverts. Other myths include:

  • Introverts are unfriendly. Being an introvert doesn’t affect how friendly you may be. Some people may think that introverts are unfriendly because they don’t tend to have large groups of friends, and they may reflect on situations quietly rather than joining in on conversations at gatherings.
  • Introverts can’t be leaders. Although people may think of an extroverted personality when they imagine a leader, introverts have the skills to be bosses and leaders, too. Some of their qualities make them effective leaders: They listen to their employees’ ideas, they can stay focused on long-term goals, and they may seem less threatening, so people may accept them in their roles.
  • It’s hard to get to know introverts. Introverts prefer to have deep friendships with only a handful of people. They may not open up to everyone who wants to small-talk, but the people they’re close with know them very well and develop real friendships with them.

Introvert Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster

1 of 2

in·​tro·​vert ˈin-trə-ˌvərt 

1

: a person whose personality is characterized by introversion: a typically reserved or quiet person who tends to be introspective and enjoys spending time alone

… introverts gain energy through solitude and quiet. —Bill Howatt

His research further shows that about 70% of top executives are introverts.—Linda Grant

Bill Gates is quiet and bookish, but apparently unfazed by others' opinions of him: he's an introvert, but not shy.—Steven Aitchison

Note: Introverts are typically more comfortable interacting with small groups of people rather than large groups (as at parties). The psychologist Carl Gustav Jung first introduced the terms introvert, introversion, extrovert, and extroversion in the early 1900s to describe personality types that focus a person's energy on either the inner or outer world. The terms introvert and extrovert have since become widely popularized, with introvert often broadly used to mean "a quiet or shy person."

… she was, by other accounts, a "shy sensitive introvert" who was "afraid of people and felt most comfortable when she could shut the door and withdraw. "—Robert R. Harris

compare extrovert

2

: something (such as the retractile proboscis of some worms) that is or can be drawn in especially by invagination

introvert

2 of 2

transitive verb

: to turn inward or in upon oneself or itself: such as

a

: to concentrate or direct upon oneself

… served the purpose of introverting aggressive intentions.—Ernst Simmel

b

: to produce psychological introversion in

"… I had gone through some pretty hard deals, and it did introvert me. … "—Joni Mitchell

Synonyms

Noun

  • shrinking violet
  • wallflower

See all Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus 

Example Sentences

Noun although interested in the public welfare, he was too much of an introvert to consider personally running for political office

Recent Examples on the Web

But introverts don’t focus as well in that same environment. —Stephanie Brown, Verywell Health, 28 Mar. 2023 Embrace your inner introvert. —Chris Kille, Forbes, 17 Mar. 2023 He has been thrilled watching the contestants’ progress, including introverts who have blossomed into confident performers, asserting themselves with their personalized Motown interpretations. —Brian Mccollum, Detroit Free Press, 14 Mar. 2023 Cobe, an introvert, peeked outside his shell. —Kevin Sherrington, Dallas News, 9 Mar. 2023 The second is that introverts are often vastly misjudged and that hard ice can reveal soft insides sometimes, more than the opposite. —Bob Guccione Jr, SPIN, 17 Feb. 2023 Parker exists between two extremes: that competitive physical force, and an introvert who shies away from any acknowledgement.Los Angeles Times, 12 Feb. 2023 The Irish Goodbye is a social introvert’s dream. —Christopher Borrelli, Chicago Tribune, 23 Nov. 2022 And—as any young introvert can attest—so was fear. —Perrie Samotin, Glamour, 25 Oct. 2022

Felix Cooper Ortega is naturally introverted. —Hunter Harris, ELLE, 7 Mar. 2023 So that will introvert a gal. —Michael Schulman, The New Yorker, 28 Mar. 2021 As a sober person, the idea of staying in, introverting, and enjoying downtime isn’t what’s getting to me. —Carly Benson, SELF, 30 Mar. 2020 Which is to say, the music and script still fuse marvelously in the account of the big lie in which introverted Evan Hansen envelops himself and the vulnerable people around him. —Peter Marks, Washington Post, 8 Aug. 2019 Being introverted – often described as a person's comfort with various levels of stimulation and the need to detach in order to recharge one’s batteries – is a good thing. —K. Lori Hanson, Ph.d., miamiherald, 14 May 2018 Lincecum, introverted by nature, politely declined. —Bob Nightengale, USA TODAY, 14 Mar. 2018 Surrounded by studio hands including Philadelphia musician Alex G on guitar, Ocean introverted himself to get in the zone. —Eve Barlow, Billboard, 23 July 2017 Obama's so much colder and more restrained than that, so much more ruthlessly calculated and inward-looking, so much more mysteriously introverted even as his rhetoric explodes in flashes of fascinating brilliance. —Stephen Marche, Esquire, 17 Oct. 2012 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'introvert. ' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun

(sense 2) noun derivative of introvert entry 2; (sense 1) back formation from introverted

Verb

borrowed from New Latin intrōvertere, from Latin intrō- intro- + vertere "to turn" — more at worth entry 4

First Known Use

Noun

1878, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Verb

1652, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of introvert was in 1652

See more words from the same year

Dictionary Entries Near

introvert

introversion

introvert

introverted

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Cite this Entry

Style

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“Introvert.Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/introvert. Accessed 11 Apr. 2023.

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Kids Definition

introvert

noun

in·​tro·​vert

ˈin-trə-ˌvərt

1

: a person who is concerned or interested mostly in one's own thoughts and ideas

2

: a person who is shy or reserved and enjoys spending time alone

introversion

ˌin-trə-ˈver-zhən

-shən

noun

introverted

-ˌvərt-əd

adjective

Medical Definition

introvert

1 of 2 noun

: a person whose personality is characterized by introversion: a typically reserved or quiet person who tends to be introspective and enjoys spending time alone

Note: Introverts are typically more comfortable interacting with small groups of people rather than large groups (as at parties). The psychologist C. G. Jung first introduced the terms introvert, introversion, extrovert, and extroversion in the early 1900s to describe personality types that focus a person's energy on either the inner or outer world. The terms introvert and extrovert have since become widely popularized, with introvert often broadly used to mean "a quiet or shy person." compare extrovert

introvert

2 of 2 transitive verb

in·​tro·​vert ˈin-trə-ˌvərt 

: to turn inward or upon itself

specifically : to produce psychological introversion in

More from Merriam-Webster on

introvert

Nglish: Translation of introvert for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of introvert for Arabic Speakers

Britannica. com: Encyclopedia article about introvert

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

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Merriam-Webster unabridged

Who is an introvert and what kind of occupation suits him

An introvert does not like noisy companies and prefers to spend time alone. We tell what kind of personality type it is, what are its advantages and why modern psychologists try not to use this term

Who is an introvert

An introvert is a person who is focused on his inner world. He does not like crowds of people, prefers silence and a calm environment. In solitude, an introvert restores energy, and when communicating with people, it consumes it. This is the collective image of an introvert, although there is no unambiguous interpretation of the term "introvert": scientists from different schools interpret it differently.

Carl Jung was the first to propose the concepts of "extroversion" and "introversion" in the 1920s. In Psychological Types, he elaborated on how scientists before him tried to distinguish between sociable party-goers and shy stay-at-homes. And then he offered his own interpretation. In his opinion, the difference between them is in the direction of vital energy, libido. For introverts, this energy is directed inward, while for extroverts, it is directed outward. That is, the attention of extroverts is directed to the world around them and other people, while introverts, on the contrary, are immersed in themselves, their fantasies and introspection.

After Jung, Hans Eysenck took up the study of extraversion and introversion. In his opinion, introversion has several stable features: perseverance, rigidity, subjectivism, modesty, irritability. Introverts are shy, introspective, cold people. They love order, don't follow sudden impulses, and can be relied upon. Eysenck considered the parameter of extraversion/introversion to be one of the most important dimensions of personality, along with neuroticism and psychotism. Deriving his three-factor theory of personality, Eysenck put these three dimensions at the basis.

In the 1970s, based on the types identified by Jung, the Soviet-Lithuanian researcher Aushra Augustinavichyute created her own typology of personality - socionics. According to it, people are divided into 16 types according to 4 parameters. One of these parameters is the introversion-extroversion scale. A similar division exists in the Myers-Briggs system. At the same time, both socionics and the Myers-Briggs system have features of pseudoscience.

The German psychiatrist Karl Leonhard distinguished between extroverts and introverts in terms of their attitude to information. According to his theory, an introvert is a strong-willed person with clear values. Thanks to them, a person is able to resist society and remain true to his point of view and principles. An extrovert according to Leonhard is a conformist. A weak-willed person subject to outside influence.

According to modern research, each of us has traits of both personality types. Psychologist and cognitive-behavioral psychotherapist Elizaveta Muratova told RBC Trends that modern psychologists prefer to avoid the terms "introvert" and "extrovert". These are too general terms. But there is still a division into personality types in modern psychology:

“In psychological and psychiatric practice, there are many models of personality typology. First of all, we are talking about how healthy a person is. Before typing a personality, you need to understand what state it is in. Even before choosing a typological model, we are talking about health, about the quality of a person,” says Muratova.

However, the term is still in use, and research into extraversion and introversion continues. For example, in 2011, introverts were divided into four types. This model was proposed by Jonathan Cheek, a psychologist and researcher at Wellesley College (USA). He called his model STAR, after the first letters of the types: social (social), thinking (thinking), anxious (anxious) and restrained (restrained).

Another recent study states that covert narcissists often assume the introvert role. Such people consider themselves hypersensitive, but behind this there is an unhealthy thirst for attention. Recognizing such a person is quite difficult. Covert narcissists appear humble and reserved, but their ultimate goal is to gain admiration and attention from those around them. This is a consequence of neuroticism, not introversion.

Signs of an introvert

American scientists have formulated a number of signs of a typical introvert:

  • dislike for large companies and crowds of people;
  • unwillingness to initiate acquaintances;
  • observation;
  • the ability to focus attention on 1-3 objects maximum;
  • the tendency to delve deeply into the issue under study;
  • the need for a clear plan of action;
  • small social circle;
  • rich imagination and lively internal dialogue;
  • built relationships with oneself;
  • intolerance to someone else's bad mood;
  • propensity to work alone.

Differences between introverts and extroverts

Tendency to control or impulsiveness

According to Eysenck, the typical extrovert is a cheerful, carefree optimist who aims to make as many acquaintances as possible. Extroverts have impulsive, emotional reactions. Some people have a tendency to be aggressive. An extrovert has poor control over his actions, his focus is constantly shifting.

The opposite is true for an introvert. Eysenck describes the typical introvert as a calm, shy person. He often engages in introspection. In companies, he behaves aloofly, he shows warm feelings only to close people. Takes a long time to make decisions. It is important for an introvert to plan and think things through in advance. He does not act spontaneously and on emotions. An introvert controls his feelings, it is difficult to piss him off.

Search for positive emotions in different sources

Due to their isolation, introverts are often perceived as sad people who are sad more often than extroverts. Extroverts do experience more positive emotions than introverts. This is confirmed by researchers at the University of Minnesota. But, according to them, extroverts and introverts get these positive emotions from different sources.

Thus, the true goal of an extrovert is the attention of others. Therefore, he is ready to be more involved in communication. An extrovert doesn’t care what the contact will be, he is interested in the “reward” in the form of attention - this is what is fixed in the brain as positive emotions. And for introverts, the “reward” is expressed as contact. Because of this, introverts need less communication. “Therefore, they talk less, are less enthusiastic, and generally less purposeful,” says Colin DeYoung, a psychologist at the University of Minnesota, commenting on the differences in the brains of introverts and extroverts.

Why modern psychologists do not use the term "introversion"

In social terms, introversion and extraversion mean human behavior. Sociable people are called extroverts, and secretive and reserved people are called introverts. However, introverted behavior can be caused by various reasons, which means that the label “introvert” itself does not help us understand what is happening to a person and why he behaves in a certain way.

Elizaveta Muratova:

“Pop psychology says that the effect is determined by the cause. For example, if a woman paints her lips with red lipstick, she wants attention. However, in clinical practice, we always look at what task a person implements with such an action. We call someone an introvert, an unsociable, withdrawn person, when we observe a particular behavior. However, there can be many reasons for such behavior.

For example, there is a stereotype that introverts don't like people. In fact, communication can be a difficult or painful process. It can also be so important that it is scary to start it. Communication may be avoided by trauma survivors. These may be people with a low need for communication. They just don't want to interact, they don't see the point in it. An introvert can be mistaken for a person with low communication skills. Most often, we call people introverts or extroverts because of their behavior, but we don't know why."

There is an opinion in society that extroverts work better than introverts in a team. But Elizaveta Muratova notes that the point is not in the type of personality, but in the needs of a person. “Almost in every resume you can see a mention of sociability and stress resistance. This is a matter of health, skills, not the type of personality,” says Muratova.

Advantages of introverts

If you continue to use the terms "introverts" and "extroverts", you can find some advantages for the former (despite the stereotype that extroverts are better placed in society).

Sensitivity

The Yale University team claims that introverts understand people much better than extroverts. After polling more than a thousand volunteers, experts said that introverts are "born psychologists." Introverts, according to research, may not like interacting with people as much as extroverts, but they will understand them better. Introverts observe and notice minor details. They understand the psychology of others much more clearly than extroverts.

“We see that introverts spend more time observing human nature and reactions than those who are busy socializing. They are also accurate in introspection because they have fewer biases,” said Yale psychologist and study co-author Anton Gollwitzer.

Mindfulness

A 2008 study found that introverts take longer to process information than extroverts. However, the author of the book “Introvert Leader. How to succeed in a society dominated by extroverts” Jennifer Kahnweiler says that this is actually due to the thoughtfulness of introverts.

Economy in spending internal energy

Since introverts communicate less, they use less internal energy. This led scientists from the Canadian University of Calgary to suggest that the stereotypes that open and sociable people are happier than introverts are wrong. Other scientists from Canada and Australia confirm that extraversion comes at a cost of energy and time. Instead of spending these resources on getting and keeping other people's attention, introverts use them to focus and achieve goals.

Safety

Extroverts are more physically at risk than introverts. They are more likely to get into trouble, join a criminal organization, or be arrested. This is written by scientists from North Dakota and Baltimore, USA.

Other advantages of introverts

According to scientists, introverts:

  • easily cope with routine, monotonous work, study;
  • bring what they started to the end;
  • observe discipline and regularity in business;
  • are effectively engaged in self-education;
  • analyze well and dive deep into the problem;
  • make informed decisions;
  • attentively listen to the interlocutor;
  • take care of other people and their problems;
  • have a high level of insight.

Professions for introverts

Perseverance, patience and an analytical approach to business enable introverts to work in the exact sciences, scientists from Iceland and America believe. An introvert is suitable for a profession that does not require constant communication with people. For example:

  • Information security specialist. IT sphere is a godsend for an introvert. All work in the computer, colleagues too. Any problem or inconvenience can also be solved with the help of technology.
  • Business analyst. He rarely interacts with colleagues in person. The main tasks are performed on the computer. It is possible to work from home.
  • Accountant. Suitable for those who like to work with numbers, and also want to be able to change the scope of work. Accountants are needed both in the restaurant business and in cultural institutions.
  • Software developer. One of the most common remote professions. Freelancers are often hired for this position. Comfortable for an introvert - you don’t need to go to the office with a large number of colleagues, unless you have to connect to online planning meetings.
  • Virologist. Science loves concentrated, measured employees. Painstakingly analyzing samples and thoughtfully describing experiments is a calm, routine, but fascinating task for an introvert.
  • Editor, proofreader. Monotonous work with text, which requires maximum attention and perseverance, and these are the strengths of an introvert.
  • Sound engineer. Instead of communicating with people - recordings of their voices or music. The main thing is not to get a job on the radio, where the presenters speak live around the clock. It will be easier for an introvert if it is possible to pause the voice in the headphones and take a break.
  • Video, photo editor. Another profession where the employee is alone with the material and tasks. Focus and a slight form of perfectionism are also important here in order to give the perfect shots.
  • Restorer. This work calms the introvert. A monotonous long process that would surely piss off a typical extrovert.
  • Trucker. Long trips alone with your thoughts are not for everyone. But this profession gives maximum opportunities to think and enjoy loneliness.

How an introvert can become a leader

Psychologist Elizaveta Muratova notes that personality typing is often used in business practice.

Elizaveta Muratova:

“We type people so that they occupy certain positions. Personal structure during life does not change dramatically, but can be somewhat adjusted. Personality type is how a person sees the world, what is important to him, what he gets physiological pleasure from. There are clearly paranoid people. Their main value is their own safety. They show themselves better in scrupulous work. The basic personal value of a person of the histrionic (hysterical) type is communication and seduction. What we call personality traits are, in fact, skills. When we talk about leadership qualities, we must understand that this is a whole complex of processes. For example, in a narcissistic person, leadership comes from the very structure of the personality. But other types of people are also interested in leadership and are able to exercise it.

Why introverts can be good leaders

It is believed that people tend to choose self-confident, charismatic people as leaders. But a Yale University team study says that an introvert in crisis situations outperforms an extrovert in a leadership position. The ability to deeply analyze what is happening and reflect after significant events allows the introvert to understand the situation in more detail. A few hours in silence, alone with your thoughts, will allow the introvert leader to understand what is happening and find the most effective solution.

According to a study by Brigham Young University (Utah, USA), students value tracking deadlines, providing feedback, and coordinating teamwork as leaders. Eloquence and charisma were much less frequently mentioned. “Those who take the time to pause and help others with their tasks are more likely to be seen as leaders,” said study co-author Cody Reeves.

Tips for introverts who want to become leaders

For those introverts who are interested in leadership positions, American scientists recommend:

  • Talk more about your ideas, decisions, achievements. Introverts often remain in the background, even when the job is done perfectly. For this type of personality, the result is more important than the amount of attention drawn to the process and the performer. In addition, introverts, as a rule, are not motivated enough, they do not see a global goal in attracting the attention of others.
  • To overcome isolation, but not to give up loneliness. Participating more actively in planning meetings and brainstorming sessions, and even going out to lunch with colleagues, can be a good career boost.
  • Get inspired by the goal. Understanding why you need to start a conversation and initiate meetings will help you not to be afraid and act. For example, Cambridge University professor Brian Little began to behave like an extrovert: “I am an introvert, but my main project is teaching. I am a professor and I love my students and my work. I look forward to telling them something new and exciting. And I act like an extrovert, because at eight in the morning students need a little humor, a little collaboration, so it’s much easier to get through a busy school day. ”
  • Use your strengths. One study says that the best leaders are those who can plan and work ahead of the curve. Introverts have a well-developed awareness, they are ready to listen and empathize, to help solve the problem.

Extroverts, introverts, ambiverts: who they are and how to work with them

The company's team consists of a large number of people with different characters. In order for an HR specialist to effectively interact with employees, understand their motivation, know which work is comfortable for them and which is not, you need to be able to determine the personality type of specialists. There are three types of personality types: extroverts, introverts and ambiverts.

In our new article, you will learn what these types of people are and how to interact with them for productive work.

Extrovert: Distinctive Characteristics and Secrets of Interaction

Extroverts are the “lighters” of the company that are open to the world and directed towards people. They are very sociable and easily get along with people. As a rule, extroverts quickly get used to the new team and can carry on any conversations.

Extroverts are filled with energy if there are a lot of people around them. The book Cognitive, Affective, and Behavioral Neuroscience states that there are two types of extroverts:

  • Active. Their key characteristics are assertiveness, success leadership, perseverance. Active extroverts like to be the center of attention and very often occupy leadership positions.
  • Affiliates. Friendly, open and sincere guys. They easily find contact with new people and value their loved ones very much, because relationships mean a lot to them.

The main features of extroverts:

  • love to be the center of attention;
  • do not like routine and monotony, they prefer variety;
  • know a lot of people and easily make contact with strangers;
  • they are driven by interesting work tasks, they are happy to take on a variety of complex tasks, but only if they are interested;
  • first they speak, then they think;
  • more like to talk and talk about themselves than to listen to the interlocutor and try to understand his problem.

How to work with extroverts and set them tasks: 4 tips from the Hurma team

1. When setting tasks, it is very important to give them time and the opportunity to reason and ask interesting questions. Ask the extrovert for feedback on the task, let him tell you how he understood it, say deadlines and expected results.

2. Extrovert employees should be assigned to projects where they can learn something new for themselves. In addition, it is important to create a “competitive” environment for them, since it is these conditions that motivate them the most.

3. Give them the opportunity to be in the spotlight, be a mentor to someone, lead a discussion in which they can take the initiative and take action.

4. As a rule, extroverts have adequate self-esteem and are self-confident. But despite this, it is important to praise them and celebrate their achievements.

Introvert: distinctive characteristics and secrets of interaction

An introvert is the exact opposite of an extrovert. Such people focus more on their inner world than on the outside. Introverts are not very sociable, but at the same time, very pleasant interlocutors, if you talk with them on topics that interest them. In addition, if you find an approach to them and make friends, you can learn a lot of interesting things, since these are people with a rich inner world.

They place the main emphasis on their own knowledge and experience, and not on the views of other people. An introvert likes to read, plan things, work more productively in a calm environment. You can recognize an introvert by the expressions: “I need to think”, “I need to analyze”, etc.

  • only those people with whom they have developed close, trusting relationships are considered friends;
  • calm and balanced;
  • first they think and only then they speak;
  • do not like multitasking and work overload.
  • How to work with introverts and set them tasks: tips from the Hurma team

    1. Introverts think a lot and that is why they cannot always answer the question quickly. Give them time to think things over, formulate an answer, study more information. If introverts do not know something, they study the issue, delving into the details.

    2. Be prepared to answer a large number of questions, because it is important for introverts to understand the manager's analytics, why the task needs to be done in this way, on what grounds this or that decision was made.

    3. Introverts have one feature similar to extroverts - they also need praise and recognition of their merits. And in principle, praise is important to everyone, do not spare praise, well, really 🙂

    4. When working with an introvert and setting a task, accurately calculate the time frame, explain step by step how and what needs to be done.

    5. These are not the kind of people who need to be constantly monitored. If you want to work with an introvert, give him more freedom of action.

    6. If you do not have time to communicate with them personally, use e-mail or corporate messengers.

    Ambivert: distinctive characteristics and secrets of interaction

    Ambivert is the golden mean between a calm introvert and a hyperactive extrovert. Depending on the specific situation, they can behave both as introverts and as extroverts. If they are uncomfortable, they immerse themselves in themselves; if they like the surrounding conditions, ambiverts actively communicate with everyone.

    These people value both social interaction and solitude, when they can be alone and think. Barry Smith, director of the Human Psychophysiology Laboratory at the University of Maryland, claims that 68% of people are ambiverts.

    The main signs of ambiverts:

    • quickly join a new team and do not feel discomfort when communicating with strangers;
    • have empathy, understand and listen to the emotions of other people;
    • they have a wider social circle than introverts;
    • they establish deeper contact with people, unlike extroverts.

    How to work with ambiverts and set them tasks: tips from the Hurma team

    1. Ambiverts can work with both routine and interesting tasks. Therefore, if there is monotonous work in the list of tasks, they will do it.

    2. If you have difficult tasks, you can entrust their implementation to ambiverts. They are easy-going and not afraid to take risks.

    3. Ambiverts are not afraid of public speaking at events, make many contacts and quickly win over. So they are the first who want to participate in various activities.

    4. While working with them, remember that they, like introverts, think a lot, try to analyze all moments and aspects in order to make an informed decision.

    Flexibility is key

    It is important for HR managers and leaders to consider the personality types of employees in order to entrust them with those projects in which they will show their best side, and not vice versa. For example, if you want an extrovert to do a great job, don't give them a task that requires a lot of attention to detail.


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