We were having tea at the cafeteria when one of my colleagues told me that "you need to be more visible, you need to talk more."
This reminded me of a statement one of my ex-colleague had made many years ago, "In the corporate world, everyone needs to be an extrovert. Today's world which believes in branding belongs only to extroverts. They will almost always get the top job over an introvert."
One of the most famous (introverts) of all time is Albert Einstein, who once said, "The monotony and solitude of a quiet life stimulates the creative mind." Many introverts thrive in solitude and quiet contemplation, which allows them to think deeply and come up with innovative ideas. While introverts may not be as outwardly expressive as extroverts, they often have a strong ability to listen, observe, and empathize with others. This can make them excellent leaders, collaborators, and problem-solvers.
In fact, research has shown that most people fall somewhere in the middle of the extroversion-introversion spectrum. They are called ambiverts. This means that even if we lean towards one side or the other, we all have the ability to tap into different aspects of our personalities depending on the situation. The important part is to realise this.
As an ambivert (although higher on the introvert side), I can relate to this firsthand. There are times when I crave social interaction and thrive in group settings, while other times I need solitude and quiet reflection to recharge my batteries. It's important to recognise that both of these tendencies are valid and necessary for our personal growth and wellbeing.
But even for those who strongly identify as extroverts or introverts, it's important to acknowledge that there are times when we may need to step out of our comfort zones and tap into different aspects of our personality. For example, an introvert may need to speak up in a group setting in order to share their valuable insights, while an extrovert may need to take a step back and listen more carefully in order to truly understand the perspectives of others.
I strongly believe that organisations need to be more inclusive in its approach and decision making. It needs to understand how to tap the best from people by nudging them to understand themselves better but without completely changing them. Helping them be the best versions of themselves.
So if you're an introvert, don't underestimate the value of your unique strengths. As Susan Cain, author of "Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking," has said, "Introverts, in contrast, may have strong social skills and enjoy parties and business meetings, but after a while wish they were home in their pajamas."
It's okay to be an introvert, and it's important to embrace your strengths and find ways to contribute to the world in your own way. And if it doesn't realise your worth, then live it up your own way!
The world will adjust.
