Transcript: Ten things introverts wished you knew about them

KARL MOORE – This is Karl Moore of the Desautels Faculty of Management at McGill University, with Talking Management for The Globe and Mail. Based on many interviews and a blog post by Tim Parsons – thanks Tim – in homage of the recently retired David Letterman, here is my Top 10 list of the things introverts wished you knew about them.

No. 10 – We really do like people. Introverts love being with people but they prefer small groups as opposed to big groups, unlike extroverts.

No. 9 – We don't just prefer time alone, we need time alone. What introverts what they need to do is to recharge after they have got some stimulation, less stimulation extroverts need when they need to recharge, so we need to give introverts time to recharge.

No. 8 – We are good leaders, just different. As I talked about in an earlier post, introverts make great leaders. There are some real strengths which are relevant for most companies in today's world, they are just different than extroverts.

No. 7 – We are quiet because we are thinking – not because we are upset, mad or angry. Sometimes we misinterpret introverts when they are being quiet, we think they are mad at us or upset, or ignoring us, when they are just simply thinking or they are just reflecting. We will talk about that more next time.

No. 6. – We often have to explain why we are so quiet or reserved. Introverts hate having to do that, so a good manager understands there are great strengths, values them for that, and doesn't worry about this thing that they perceive as a weakness, gives them some room, and lets them be.

No. 5 – We can be great presenters. It's something where extroverts can often present just off the cuff like that, maybe they are making it up, but they can present very rapidly where introverts, if you give them some time and some warning, can be great presenters – I have seen it so often.

No. 4 – Too often we feel like our introversion is something to hide, especially at work. When you think about it, understand them as managers, give them room, perhaps help them grow a little bit, but give them room, let them be themselves because they have great strengths.

No. 3 – We can be creative too. It speaks for itself.

No. 2 – We can be some of the most committed employees, friends, spouses. Sometimes it takes a little longer to get to know them, but once you do you often have a friend for life.

No. 1 – We are tired of pretending to be extroverts – it wears us out. So, this is something which I agree with, but it is something that when I talk with many executive introverts is that it is more subtle than that. So that will be the topic of my next talk on introverts.