Introvert – Extrovert
Which one are you? Do you know? Before you answer that question, you should know that being an Extrovert does not necessarily mean you are the one with the lamp shade on her head at the end of the party, nor are you the one hiding in the bathroom most of the evening if you are an Introvert.
Just so we get the records straight, even though this is not raw scientific data, it is said that roughly one third of the population is introvert. So we are a minority. If you have been or currently are part of a minority in some area of your life, you know it comes with a bit of a weight. I just thought I would recognize that.
According to Susan Cain’s latest book: Quiet: The power of Introverts in a world that can’t stop talking, typically our society’statement is that the ideal self is alpha, bold and gregarious. She is challenging this and I am very grateful to her for doing so.
Stereotyping the ideal self is as risky as eliminating someone without knowing what she has to offer or avoiding diversity in the workplace because it requires too much “adjustment” (read: change from the current status). If the war on talent is as real as what we say it is, then no rocks should be left unturned. This means promoting everyone and encouraging them to work to their strengths. Innovation does not come from asking the same people to do new things. It comes from allowing everyone to express their full creativity, being open to the possibility that the golden nugget may not be where you think it is.
When individuals are different from your pre-conceived idea of how they should be, allow yourself to be surprised. Learn how talent can come in different forms. Let others show you what you may not have seen on your own.
How you lead yourself, and others, matters.