“The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking”
Being an introvert in life, I have always developed a jealous eye for the extrovert for their qualities to mingle up with people. I have never understood that introverts have their share of the world where they can do other things but getting along. In last few months, I have started reading Susan Cain’s Quiet; this book has opened doors for me to understand my characteristics in a positive way.
I have come to know that introverts are living in the world trapped in the extroversion ideals. Introversion is characterized as the second personality trait and often ignored because extroversion seems smart and intelligent to the world. The five basic characteristics of introversion and extroversion will be discussed here in the course of this blog.
Extroverts are a speaker; Introverts are a creator
Introverts believe in working single-handedly. Often, they are seen doing major works in the solitude. Introverts often lack the skills of communicating with others because they are mostly juggling in their heads to create something new and fresh. They get embarrassed in the large groups and they do not believe in speaking their hearts out like the extrovert people.
On the other hand, extroverted people can make a very good leader because it is their speaking ability that makes them get on with the life. Extroversion is often confused with the charismatic leadership and this myth has covered the entire world. The public speaking has taken the prime position in today’s society because people admire the qualities of an extrovert.
Social Interaction vs. Alienation
Extroverts are the excellent communicators and they are always in search of the social interaction. On the other hand, introverts are not a social player looking for the possible interaction.
“The meeting of two personalities is like the contact of two chemical substances; if there is any reaction, both are transformed” – Carl Jung
Extroverts find their excellence in talking whereas the introverts love to listen. Extroverts start the table conversation and arrange the get-togethers whereas introverts do not often take part in such gatherings. Both have their different ways of communicating with people. Susan Cain in Quiet has talked about these two types of social people with different personality traits. She has referred such social differences as ‘Differently Social’. Introverts should not be considered as an anti-social being.
Agreeableness of Extroverts and Introverts
This is often said that introverts are not agreeable. Susan Cain has rejected this notion and she has given the proofs how extroverts and introverts both can be agreeable depending on the situation. This is true that extroverted students believe in catching up more friends than the introverts. But it does not mean that they are very good at friendship.
Introverts, on the other hand, are agreeable but they do prefer to stay close with their close groups. They often avoid small talk and tend to show ignorance during such small talk. But introverts are often aggressively agreeable and they focus on the single dimension of the agreeableness with their closed people.
Groupthinker vs. Inventor
One is pro in group-thinking where other is excellent in creating something in solitude. Extroverts can pull off the group projects easily whereas introverts can just avoid the group-work. Instead, they can choose solitude over working in a group.
Most of the scientists believe in working alone other than in the group. Their creation needs their brilliant minds and this can mostly happen in the solitude. Working independently is what introverts do and their power lies in choosing autonomy. On the other hand, extroverts do live in the collaborative world. Their energy gets doubled when they work in a team where other’s inputs get valued.
Pleasure vs. Comfort Zone
Amongst all the extroverted ideals, the pleasure seeking is another trait that extroverts go gaga over. Introverts, on the other hand, loves to bask in their comfort zone. Extroverts drag attention from the people towards them; introverts shy away from any possible attention.
In cases of introverts, this is often believed that introverts do not believe in exploring new things and for that reason, they cling to their comfort zone. But these are not the proven facts eligible for all the extroverts and introverts because many extroverts happen to be the private people who only stay with their closed groups. There are myths attached with these characteristic traits.
These five basic traits would help a person in understanding their core characteristic details. However, the extroverted ideal has been accepted nowadays; the introverts should not make themselves confused with such generic traits. Afterall, this is all about how one’s brain system functions in a particular situation. An individual develops the reaction based on the reaction produced by the neo-cortex which is also known as the ‘new brain’.
Keep an eye on my next blog which would focus on the different brain functions based on the book Quiet by Susan Cain.