Why You Should Hire More Introverts
I have struggled with being an introvert my whole life. It has been both a blessing and a curse, but mainly the latter. I rarely participated in classroom discussions, and dreaded being called upon. As I venture into the job market, I have noticed that my personality is holding me back. In the interview process, my introversion (shyness) may signal a lack of confidence to potential employers. I was given this feedback after a recent interview. And I’m not alone. Introversion is often seen as a negative trait. Introverts may be labeled as standoffish, as unenthusiastic. We prefer solitude over interacting in large groups, and recharge during our downtime. We don’t exude confidence the way some others might, and can thus get overlooked.
Many famous leaders have identified as introverts – Rosa Parks, Abraham Lincoln and Bill Gates, for instance. A 2010 study from Wharton University’s Adam Grant found that in some circumstances, introverted leaders can be more effective than extroverts. “We tend to assume that we need to be extremely enthusiastic, outgoing and assertive, and we try to bring employees on board with a lot of excitement, a clear vision and direction,” Grant says, “but there is real value in a leader being more reserved, quieter, in some cases silent, in order to create space for employees to enter the dialogue.”
As much as workplace claims to champion diversity, there remains a bias against introverts. This has been a topic of discussion since the 2012 Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking. In the book, as well as the related TED talk, author Susan Cain makes a case for the power of introverts.
On the surface, extroverts seem like the ideal employees. They are outgoing, bold and energetic. But introverts have a lot to offer. To be representative of both worlds, work environments need to have a balance of both personalities. Here are some reasons to hire more introverts.
We’re pretty good listeners.
We stick to our work, don’t get distracted. We put our heads down, we don’t partake in too much office chit-chat.
We may be quiet, but we’re also observant. When I’m in a large group, I like to sit back and take it all in. We may spend more time observing than participating, but this translates to cautiousness and thinking things through before we act. We’re thoughtful and introspective
I may be an introvert, but that doesn’t mean I can’t do the job. Despite our interviewing skills, please give us a chance. You just might be surprised.
