Introverts Can Hinder Extroverted Co-Workers’ Careers

Now there is an idea: Introverts Can Hinder Extroverted Co-Workers’ Careers

Well of course one loathes extroverts, but I suppose, sadly, one must be fair.

I thought the article was interesting. I would not have considered the fact that introverts could have so much power in the workplace. And "Yes" one must be fair.

Hmmm ... I read it that if you're an obnoxious &^% psychotic backstabber ladder climber then the introvert will hold you back.

Seems like a good thing to me.

I never heard this.... Interesting, yet I take everything I read these days with some grain of salt.

I thought it was the other way around. Employers always put in their ads that they want "outgoing, extroverted, friendly, bubbly" people, implying that introverts or those in the middle aren't as capable. And that's ********.

There's bias in FAVOR of extroverts in my experience, in not just the workplace but ANY place. They dominate the conversations, the environment, etc. Take up so much energy in the room, and it's hard to literally get heard around people like that.

I hated it as a kid when people used to say stuff to me like, "Why don't you ever talk?" Then, I didn't have a rebuttal. NOW, being 53 and much more assertive, I'd say, "Do you ever be quiet?"

WE hinder them?? Good, as I thought they've hindered US way too long.

I agree with you nonightowl. It seems like employers are always in favor of outgoing bubbly extroverts who have the energy of an energizer bunny. Which makes me wonder...is there any jobs out there where employers would actually prefer an introvert?

I was always made to feel weird for being quiet. I literally got called weird, and stuck up by people. I never thought being quiet would make someone seem "stuck up", this really confused me. My sister even went so far as to say I "seem rude" because I wasn't actively contributing to a social party/setting and was acting more of a wall flower.

I would assume that extroverts would be the ones hindering introverts. I can't really imagine how an introvert would hinder an extrovert...it's not like someone who is quiet would in any way get in between an extrovert and their work. There's a big difference between not doing a job you're supposed to do and being quiet...

I agree.....I've never seen ANY ad that says "introverts preferred." WTF? The world is ruled by extroverts, just like it's ruled still (mostly) by men.

Whether one can do the job should be the point, not how quiet someone is. I can understand employers asking for outgoing extroverts for SALES jobs. But for Pete's sake, for a job stocking shelves in the storeroom??? I guess they want to be the Energizer Bunny (good one!) around your co-workers too.

Extroverts can sometimes be so busy being "outgoing" and "friendly" that they are not doing their jobs......

THEY get in the way with their "in-your-face" personalities, getting in the way of quieter people being heard and recognized/appreciated.

I'll never buy what that article says.

All my life (though less now as an adult) people would act like being quiet is a FLAW. I also used to be called stuck up all the time, but at one time I was REALLY SHY. I didn't think people were too good for me; I thought I was not good enough for THEM. Hence, the shyness.

Some theories have been that outgoing people are uncomfortable around introverts because they don't know what they are thinking. Yeah, I'm plotting to kill you so you'll shut up, LOL.

Not shy now...I will say and write what I want these days.

People SUCK. Assume so much about people without knowing them first.

Extroverts remind me of the kids who were really loud in school and had a hard time sitting down and working on a project. They were often the ones that had to be told by the teacher to sit down and do their class work. Little did they know they would be preferred in the workforce when they're adults...
If you think about it, being quiet is rewarded in school when we're growing up. Focusing on your work and not talking to the people next to you became a classroom rule. You got a gold star for being quiet, focused, paying attention, etc...
If you didn't stop talking and focus on the task at hand, you were reprimanded, told to be quiet and sit down, stop talking to Betsy or Joey or whoever else, and if you didn't listen you were dragged to the principles office.

In adulthood its almost the complete opposite. I just realized this as I'm typing this. They totally teach you how to be one way when you're in school, and then when you're in college or beyond they expect you to be the opposite and "getting up and socializing" is preferred in the workplace.

You made a good point. Kids are (or were) taught to be quiet and behave. I don't know about now as much, as I see some parents let their kids run wild and scream, run, etc. in public places that AREN'T playgrounds....like the grocery store.

You're right that when you're a kid, they want you to be quiet.

Then, as an adult, they want you to be loud and to "speak up" and be extroverted and outgoing. For crying out loud, talk about a mixed message. Shut up when you're little, speak up when you're not!

I've told this story before... seems to be very fitting to this post. I am an extrovert. I treat others with respect as to "who they are" and performance. If anyone is not doing their part introvert or extrovert a good manager needs to manage that....

I was severely depressed about 8 years ago. I was referred to a job... somehow I got the job... I have no idea how I got it...I worked hard and did a great job. Anyway, as I became more healthy more myself the guy that hired me started to be very annoyed with me..I showed emotions, perked up and gave ideas during meetings and so on...he let me go. He wanted someone with a different personality. It's OK...

I have also seen others hired that seemed to be golden to find out it was all bull.

I am an extrovert not full of bull. I respect all types of colleagues.. as long as that respect is mutual.

Sometimes managers hire the wrong personality for certain postions. Again, a good manager recognizes that he/she may be a great employee and move them to a better postion.