Self-confidence, good communication skills, expressiveness, and openness – it might seem that these traits associated with introverts, one of the personality types described by Carl Gustav Jung in the early 20th century, are the most desirable in today’s society. After all, in the business world, building relationships with other people is essential. However, not everyone likes being part of a group or interacting with others, which doesn’t mean that their contribution to the development of an organization is any less important.
Introverts in the workplace – table of contents:
In today’s article, we will explain who introverts in the workplace are, their essential traits, and the benefits of hiring them. Read on.
Who are introverts?
Introversion is one of the basic personality types described by Jung in the 1920s. Introverts prefer their inner world (in Latin “vertere” means “turned inward) and they tend to focus on their own thoughts, feelings, and experiences. They feel comfortable in their own company or a small group, and contact with other people makes them feel tired. Unlike extroverts, they value reflection, internal analysis, and privacy. They usually make well-thought-out decisions, both in their private and professional lives.
Essential traits of introverts in the workplace
Although extroverts may be shy and have bad communication skills, introversion can’t be equated to shyness. Shyness per se is related to social anxiety and fear of being judged, while extroversion is a personality trait. What are the most powerful qualities of introverts in the workplace? Here’s our list:
- Great listening skills – introverts are more inclined to listen than speak, but they can empathize with other people’s feelings.
- Creativity – as introverts are deep thinkers, they have access to a rich inner world, which is a source of inspiration.
- Reflectiveness – by spending time in solitude, they can go into detail, analyze the situation and consider different perspectives.
- Focus – introverts can focus longer, and therefore perform their tasks accurately and conscientiously.
- Self-awareness – they are aware of their skills, and they know how to use them to achieve the ends they want to see.
Benefits of hiring introverts
Why is it worth hiring introverts? First of all, they possess the qualities that extroverts lack. With their ability to reflect and focus, they are capable of making thoughtful decisions, analyzing problems, and finding innovative solutions. They are frequently excellent problem solvers who can look at issues from different angles and see nuances that others don’t notice. Their creativity helps them develop original strategies and solutions. Introverts in the workplace are highly disciplined and persistent. Regardless of the difficulties they face, they are determined to produce high-quality work, which makes them highly efficient.
Summary
Undoubtedly, it’s good to have extroverts in your company or team who, thanks to their excellent communication skills and self-confidence, will push it forward. However, it’s important to remember that your success in business doesn’t rely solely on the employees’ feisty nature, but on their diversity and complementarity of various personality traits.
The typical characteristics of introverts in the workplace, ranging from focus and creativity to analytical and reflective skills, contribute to the creation of unique ideas and solutions that allow the company to thrive. The point is to foster an inclusive work environment and accept various personality types, encouraging collaboration, creativity, and mutual respect.
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