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What introverts and extroverts need to know about each other

January 26, 2022
Communication Skills Coaching

Carl Jung described Extroverts as a lighthouse reflecting light outwards to world and Introverts as a lantern radiating a glow inside themselves.

What Extroverts Need to Know about Introverts at work

Like quiet for concentration
Care about their work and workplace
May have trouble communicating
May know more than they reveal
May seem quiet and aloof
Need to be asked for their opinions and ideas (won’t simply supply them)
Like to work on long complex problems and have good attention to detail
Need to understand exactly why they are doing something
Dislike intrusions and interruptions
Need to think and reflect before speaking and acting
Work alone contentedly
May be reluctant to delegate
Prefer to stay in office rather than socialise
Do not like to draw attention to themselves
Work well with little supervision
May have trouble remembering names and faces

What Introverts Need to Know about Extroverts at work

Network well and socialise with colleagues
Keep track of the company grapevine
Respond quickly to requests and spring into action without much advance thinking
Enjoy talking and see interruptions as a welcome diversion
Become impatient or bored when work is slow or repetitive
Develop ideas through interaction and discussion
Are good at marketing themselves
Like to physically move around, prefer to be out and about
Speak while they are thinking
Have excellent verbal skills, enjoy verbal jousting and ask lots of questions
Like to be part of the majority opinion and feel isolated without management support
Appreciate and enjoy attention
Like other extroverts

About the Author

Amanda Bolger is an Aziz executive coach who works with introverted leaders to improve their personal impact, address challenges such as imposter syndrome and embrace their strengths.