Good Morning. Introvert or Extrovert?

Introversion

Introversion is "the state of or tendency toward being wholly or predominantly concerned with and interested in one's own mental life".^[3] Introverts are people whose energy tends to expand through reflection and dwindle during interaction.^[4] Introverts tend to be more reserved and less outspoken in large groups. They often take pleasure in solitary activities such as reading, writing, music, drawing, tinkering, playing video games, watching movies and plays, and using computers, along with some more reserved outdoor activities such as fishing and hiking. In fact, social networking sites have been a thriving home for introverts in the 21st century, where introverts are free from the formalities of social conduct and may become more comfortable blogging about personal feelings they would not otherwise disclose.

Extroversion

Extroversion is "the act, state, or habit of being predominantly concerned with and obtaining gratification from what is outside the self".^[3] Extroverts tend to enjoy human interactions and are generally enthusiastic, talkative, assertive, and gregarious in social situations. They take pleasure in activities that involve large social gatherings such as: parties, community activities, public demonstrations, business, and political groups. Politics, teaching, sales, managing and brokering are fields that favor extroversion. An extroverted person enjoys and becomes energized by larger groups of people while time alone is less enjoyable and boring to them.

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I think I'm definitely an introvert, which made it somewhat difficult with a military career. I do agree with the last sentence in the paragraph above describing introversion. Being on a social network (OH boards) is definitely freeing and I have more friends and acquaintances than I ever have had in my life. When I was a commander of a company you'd think that would require some extroversion on my part but not really. Leadership jobs were the best jobs I had, I wonder how leadership and introversion and extroversion relate?

Y'all have a great Thursday.

--gina
 

Extrovert here!  I truly enjoy people, but I do have some introvert tendencies.

I find it is easier to be interact with people in setting where I am comfortable.  in new situations, my introvert comes out.  I'm good at work and with my friends.  I can be outgoing in new situations, but it is not as comfortable.

In the military, I knew my job. I knew my role, and those around me did too.  Heck, you wore it on your clothes most of the time.  It was easy to be assertive and interact when you are comfortable.  I can see where being an introvert would be helpful as a leader in the military.  You have to learn to keep your opinions to yourself and the mantle of command brings its on responsibilities that could not be shared with your subordinates.  They say "it is lonely at the top" for a reason.  I always had support at home and good friends a phone call away to make it less lonely.

I'm flying home today.  This is definitely food for thought.  Have a great day everyone!

Kay

Wow, you are making me use my brain very early this morning.

I think I am some combination of the 2 but probably lean toward introversion.  I love my time alone with the ponies and when everyone is gone from my home.  But I also run a service related business and have to connect with clients and staff all the time and do that with ease. 

I have been the head of whatever I have been doing for work for the last 30 yrs and agree that leadership roles are the best for me.  Maybe because we can control how we relate to others from that position?

I think the answer to that is that introverts are more mysterious people so they seem to be better leadership candidates - extroverts are easily toyed with and made to look ridiculous by their competition .

Very often the extroverts knock each other out and the quiet ( but ambitious ) introvert is the only one left standing I think. Introverts can also appear cunning and clever even when they are not necessarily plotting to be so .

I myself can go either way but not at the same time . If I'm painting or writing briefs .. I don't give a hoot what I look like .... and if I'm focused on being thin enough for on camera work .... I don't have enough brain cells firing to draw worth a darn ( even memorizing scripts is a problem ) .

Though the switching up process ( losing weight / getting in shape ) is a pain in the neck its great fun being a switch hitter !!

I have also made myself a leadership position in a very small pond if U will ... i would rather be a team player on a big ( or even modest sized ) team though ..

Hi Gina,
I'm an Extrovert

I think Ur definitions are a little skewed in the favor of the introverts Gina Lol ....

SOME other definitions would say introverts can be squirrelly , weird , tend to do individualistic off-the-grid even crazy things ( thats why social acceptibility is such a good moderating factor for extroverts... particularly males ...they dont go off on their own tangent ) ....( NOT that I was implying anyone HERE is like that in any way )

Extroverts can be gregarious .. can be the oil that makes the *****ly touchy genius introvert type personalities ABLE to work together at all . Extroverts are often GREAT salesmen and TERRIFFIC at earning money , at getting their companies accounts and JOBS : they're terriffic rainmakers and are absolutely essential in that role .

My partner in my jewelry business is an ex- wall street CEO and totally charming - how did he get that job originally ? by getting 3M business , Caterpillar business , GM business .. huge accounts for his shipping firms he was an executive for . Promotion in his case was all about the money he brought in and the many influential board members around the table who wanted him at its head .... who trusted him to protect their interests and not play favorites . I think one of his BEST qualities is that unlike a diva introvert who occasionally gets emotionally wound up he Always shows up on time, shirt ironed and smiling and his numbers are precise . You can count on the guy . And he will never say anything negative about anybody until he is ready to feed em to the dogs ... he will listen and be absolutely noncommital in his responses and thats it ...

Jes sayin' ....

Back to psych 101 huh! UGH I hated that class,as I told my professor, I am a mixture of both. I can not classify myself as either one or the other because I have tendencies of both.

My husband and I are both introverts, confirmed by our Meyer's-Briggs tests. :) However, he is more introverted than I. He's the type who needs to take a break/nap after a lot of socializing. But, we are both teachers--he teaches fitness classes and did training classes in his IT job, and I am a Spanish teacher and assist him in fitness classes. We both do well in public speaking. Interesting stuff.

Abby

Myers-Briggs tests classify me as a strong extrovert.  I do miss personal interaction after too much alone time doing nothing.

HOWEVER..... extroverts normally get their "batteries recharged" by being in a group. This energizer bunny needs alone time to recharge. Give me time alone in my garden over a party almost any sunny day.

tracey
 

Both Charles and I are introverts as well, also confirmed by the Meyers-Briggs test, raised and Extrovert DD! Boy was that ever interesting. While we both have SOME extrovert tendencies, it's not much and takes the wind out of our sails when we do. Or as dh puts it, he tells me his "funometer's been pegged" which let's me know It's past time for him to go.

Liz