Extroversion and Introversion – can you sit on the fence?
01/10/2010, Author: Luigi Paiano
Extroversion and Introversion - if you have ever been ‘MBTI’d’ then you will know what I am on about. If you haven’t, then read on for an overview - or better still complete the questionnaire! Chances are though, if you walk into our (Criterion’s) world, or have been anywhere near a Corporate Team Development event, then you will know your ESTJ from your elbow.
However, for today, forget I even mentioned the S, the T and the J, and don’t get me started on the N, the F, or that happy wanderer, the P.
It’s all about the E and the I. Well, it’s all about me, but I would say that wouldn’t I?
First, a quick E & I 101.
Extroversion is about being mostly concerned with external gratification. E’s tend to enjoy human interactions and are usually enthusiastic, talkative, assertive, and gregarious. They take pleasure in activities that involve social gatherings. You will often find E’s in political, teaching, sales and leadership roles. An extroverted person is likely to enjoy time spent with people and find less reward in time spent alone. They tend to be energised when around other people, and they are more prone to boredom when they are by themselves.
Introversion is pretty much the opposite. An I’s energy tends to expand through reflection and dwindle during interaction. I’s tend to be more reserved and less outspoken in large groups. They often take pleasure in solitary activities such as reading, writing, drawing, tinkering, playing video games and watching movies and plays. You find a high proportion of I’s are artists, writers, engineers and inventors. An I is likely to enjoy time alone and find less joy in time spent with large groups of people, though they may enjoy interactions with close friends.
Seems pretty clear doesn’t it? Then how come I, as a committed E, who has constantly scored at the ‘VERY CLEAR, NO DOUBT ABOUT IT’ end of the MBTI scale can see so much of Introversion that I like? I love tinkering, watching movies and being by myself sometimes. Years ago, I had a colleague in a Management Development team who was a very clear I. At the end of co-delivering a workshop, I noticed that he never bothered looking at the ‘happy sheet’. Me – I couldn’t wait to read the reviews. He explained it by saying that, as an I, he knew that he had done the best he could; he didn’t need any external qualification. He said that as a strong E, I needed the applause, the validation and the kudos, because that’s where my energy came from. He was no less energetic or outgoing than me – in fact our styles were similar. However I appreciated the definition and stuck with it.
Then, last week, I delivered a workshop. I knew I had done the best I could. I thought that the delegates had got something out of it. I didn’t read the sheets until the NEXT DAY. It was a great set of feedback – possibly the best I have ever had. But … what made me not read it? Am I a closet I now? Am I backing away from the thrill of the performance? Or am I drifting towards that middle ground of ambiversion? I hate being ‘typical’, I dislike being ‘a little from column A, a little from column B’. I quite like being ‘VERY CLEAR’. If I am going to be an Introvert, I intend to become an extreme one…
So, someone help me please – either by telling me your story of E & I, or by telling me it’ll all be alright. Fundamentally though, what I am really after, as you will doubtless know by now, is for you to write on my blog to give me some attention!
Peace and love… Luigi
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