Comments on: The Introvert’s Path To Success: Learn To Act Like An Extrovert

By: Thomas Christopher Ty

Thomas Christopher Ty — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 01:50:06 +0000

Wow! So what I am doing is just normal to introverts; quiet, observant, and analyzes ideas before talking.
I could learn from the author of the article and the contents of the article.
Am also changed my course from Engineering to business world.
Thanks!

By: elle

elle — Thu, 17 May 2007 19:25:36 +0000

The phrase “Fake it Till You Make It” comes to mind. That’s what innies like me have to do. I am fortunate to be shy and introverted two things this extrovert-dominated society just loves. I was told earlier in the week that I had best change my personality somehow or risk being fired from my job. I was let go from a temporary job once for being “cold,” so my boss put it. At the time I recall being very shy and intimidated by her because she never said two words to me, yet she expected me to be the office gadfly buzzing about as her emissary, carrying news back to her. B*tch. But I’m no bitter. LOL. Anyway, I’ve come a long way actually. I started getting better jobs by faking extroversion. Now my challenge is to follow up all the e-mails I send by a face to face encounter and get back to my boss with every infinitesimal encounter I have. Because as some of you may know, the reserved nature of introverts is misinterpreted that we have nothing going on upstairs or that we’re not team players or whatever. Whatever…

By: Manny

Manny — Sat, 18 Nov 2006 02:46:43 +0000

I left a successful career in a high-pressure field to do trading and blogging and, as in introvert, I love it. I also enjoyed Marti Laney's brilliant book "The Introvert Advantage' which I review here: http://successbooks.blogspot.com/2006/11/success-book-review-introvert.html

By: Bruce Lewin

Bruce Lewin — Sat, 12 Aug 2006 13:58:55 +0000

Intresting research but I hadn’t heard that the nation is roughly 75% extrovert and 25% introvert!

By: Paul

Paul — Fri, 11 Aug 2006 19:47:38 +0000

You are right on the money with the importance of adaptability, and natural versus learnt behaviour. The now widespread Belbin team role templates, that are so useful when composing teams, comes to the same conclusion.

Being able to switch between natural and learnt team roles, between say chairing the team and being a team player, is the more important quality of gifted managers.

Reference Meredith Belbin’s team roles research at the Henly Institute.

By: Mark

Mark — Fri, 11 Aug 2006 14:09:20 +0000

I think a good portion of it has to do also with the fact the executives are often placed in situations where they “have” to be social and extroverted.

Naturally, I tend to sway toward being an introvert, and I typically sweat out the hours prior to knowing I need to be out there in public.

However, once I’m “on”, I’m comfortable and could go for a while (assuming it’s working well) from the adrenaline rush.

Guess I’m like Mrs. Businesspundit in that regard.

By: laurence haughton

laurence haughton — Thu, 10 Aug 2006 20:59:36 +0000

Only 44 execs (out of what 1,000) responded? Huh… maybe those who were “too busy” or “who blocked the emails” are actualy so introverted that they won’t reveal their real self.

By: T.

T. — Thu, 10 Aug 2006 20:27:43 +0000

Even though it seems like simple common sense, it really is important to remind people the importance of being extroverted. I’m the kind of person that’s good at being extroverted once I’m in the social situation. However, I have trouble motivating myself to attend said social events in the first place, much like you describe Ms. Businesspundit. I don’t know if thise social reluctance counts as introversion (is that word) or not since once I’m actually out I’m very outgoing.

By: hxa7241

hxa7241 — Thu, 10 Aug 2006 20:19:07 +0000

If you can, fine. But there is a limit to how much you should struggle to be what you are not.