Five Career Survival Tips for Introverts

Empty roads, a photo by Travelling Steve on Flickr.

It’s been about a year now since I’ve come out as an introvert. It started with the surprising results of a Myers-Briggs Type Indicator test administered by my executive coach. The surprise was because I considered myself a socially brave and comfortable person who has been called “bubbly” a lot. But once the results were in, some loose puzzle pieces fell into place: Yes, while I love people, socializing drains me. Yes, if we are discussing something about which I have a strong point of view, I will talk your ear off; but generally, if we’ve never met, I major in listening. Yes, I know how to flirt but feel fraudulent doing it. Yes, parties of more than eight or so people inspire some dread, no matter how delightful the hosts and guests. Yes, I have an active imagination and a well-populated inner life. No, I don’t get anxious when I am without Saturday night plans; I get relieved. My second-favorite Saturday night date is a great book; my all-time favorite is one good friend.

So imagine my delight on discovering Susan Cain’s Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking (available here), Ms. Cain is an introvert evangelist, the smart, formerly silent girl in the back of the classroom who has finally started raising her hand.

One of Cain’s most interesting hypotheses is that introverts often go through their lives acting like extroverts because our culture rewards outward-directed behavior. Cain, echoing noted social scientists like Arlie Russell Hochschild (whose landmark book, The Managed Heart, is worth a read if this topic interests you) call this kind of masquerade “emotional labor,” and anyone who has worked as a teenager in a summer job that sucks, knows the feeling. Smiling through whatever, because it feels like you must. It takes a toll, in self-awareness, energy and authenticity. And like everything else that affects your personal life, acting extroverted at the expense of your true nature can leave you feeling chronically drained and unacknowledged at work, too. Understanding how you are wired, on the other hand, can help your life and career flow much more smoothly. Here are a few tips from outside the closet:

1. Knowledge is power: Consider working with a coach or other certified professional and take the real Myers-Briggs test. (More information is here). Not only will you get your results, a professional can help you interpret them and strategize how to play to your strengths.

2. Find community: If you suspect or discover you play on our team, check out Susan Cain's TED talk. At more than two million page views, she’s obviously struck a chord with a lot of people.

3. Focus on the positive: For every perceived cool point that introverts lose to extroverts, there’s a quiet advantage. Cain cites research that suggests that introverts, or introverted work styles, are more creative, less “reward-sensitive,” (and therefore less likely to cut corners to achieve said rewards); and better at “…delaying gratification, a crucial life skill associated with everything from higher SAT scores and income to lower body mass index.”

4. Give up the guilt: Coming out as a confirmed introvert for me means that a closed office door, working on small teams or alone, working at home and/or spending lots of time by myself no longer feel illicit. They feel valid and necessary, and my work product is better.

5. Don’t let any single word, test or idea define you: Sure you may be an introvert, but you’ll have your extroverted moments, too. We’re all a kaleidoscope of traits, emotions and characteristics—life and work are more fun when we appreciate all the colors.


Via Flickr:
More Empty roads in Arizona