INTROVERTS RECHARGING, RECOGNIZING QUIET ‘SUPERPOWER’

While extroverts have found remote work a struggle and lonely, for many introverts it’s been a boon, not only personally but professionally too.

That’s because extroverts aren’t drowning them out in the noisy workplace, and the less frenetic work pace with fewer distractions and social interactions isn’t as draining.

The modern office caters to the live wires – busy, buzzing, open environments with constant connectivity and group brainstorming – while sucking the energy out of those thriving on quiet and solitude.

“Everyone needs social interactions but introverts require a lower level of external stimuli, which may make them survive in the WFH (work from home) mode better,” says author and introvert Jill Chang.

Introverts also benefit from being able to recharge after Zoom meetings, along with the luxury of having more buffer time to think and prepare – “the boss can no longer say ‘let’s get in the meeting room now and brainstorm about this project’ in a virtual working environment,” says Chang, author of Quiet is a Superpower: The Secret Strengths of Introverts in the Workplace.

While WFH is not all roses – they face challenges such as Zoom fatigue, inefficiency in communication, and prolonged working hours, just like extroverts – the ongoing remote work environment is a great opportunity for introverts to explore how to be “loud while being quiet,” and also for organizations to see their employees from a different perspective, she says.

Chang, a businesswoman and former professional sports agent, wants to help introverts recharge their superpower for a loud world, and for others to recognize the quiet strengths of introverts who are often unjustly underrated.

Unfortunately, it’s often assumed that whoever talks the most and does it the quickest has the most to offer: “We see this in various scenarios – in the classrooms, in group discussions, in business meetings, no matter how many people are there in the group, there are usually less than three people leading the conversation… For introverts who usually need more time to think things through before making a judgment or sharing an opinion, it’s not a perfect setting.”

Introvert and author Susan Cain says in her book: “There’s zero correlation between being the best talker and having the best ideas.”

Yet, according to Cain, author of Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking, “extroverts are routinely chosen for leadership positions and introverts are looked over, even though introverts often deliver better outcomes.”

Studies show that typically team members with louder voices also have higher salaries and job status, and quieter workers are vastly underrepresented at managerial levels. Introverts make up 50 per cent of the population, yet they account for 2 per cent of leadership positions.

While it’s not always easy for introverts to grab attention, and they fly under the radar because of it, this can be changed by “winning it back in our way,” says Chang.

For example, during business meetings, introverts might not always be able to give the smartest answers when being suddenly called upon, but they can do research on related topics before the meeting and share them with the team, and make a thorough execution plan after the meeting, says Chang.

“Managers and the team members would appreciate that, and introverts get the visibility in the team as well – it’s all about doing what you’re good at, and do it in your way.”

Introverts need to recognize and harness their talents and extroverts need to appreciate their introvert colleagues.

Introverts are amazing listeners, deep-thinkers, strategists and terrific team players. “There are myths that introverts are lone-wolves, less ambitious, less aggressive and less motivated. I think it’s more about the allocation of energy and prioritizing.”