In the job search period we end up reading a lot of job ads, so that we are informed about the responsibilities of the job and the necessary qualifications, where they are required according to the company for each job and if we meet the conditions and wish, then we send our CV. In most job postings, unless formal qualifications (degrees, foreign languages, experience, etc.), they, also, list personal and social skills, that enterprises want from candidates. These are mostly communication, teamwork, initiative, leadership and the list goes on, until we reach extroversion. Really, how many times have you read extroversion as desirable or necessary for a job? Judging by my personal experience, then many times! On the other hand, how many times have you read introversion as desirable or necessary for a job? Judging again from my personal experience, then never! So, why are all employers looking for extroverted employees and no one wants introverted employees?
To answer this question, we first need to define the concept of extroversion and introversion. According to Stephen P. Robbins Timothy & A. Judge, all people have a personality, which is defined as a set of ways, in which a person reacts to and interacts with others. When certain behaviors of the individual are constant and repetitive, then we refer to personality traits. Introversion and extroversion are characteristics of the individual’s personality. Usually, a person is characterized primarily as extroverted or introverted. Extroverted people are full of energy, they are enthusiastic, friendly, they like to interact and communicate constantly with other people and they are motivated by external stimuli. On the other hand, introverts are quiet, timid, thoughtful, self-motivated, unwilling to be constantly surrounded by other people, and have lower energy levels than extroverts. This does not mean that they are antisocial, shy or unfriendly, they just need time and space for themselves and are more independent of their social world compared to extroverts. In reality, the main difference between introverts and extroverts lies in their sources of energy and motivation and the way, in which they manifest.
In view of the above, in the work sector extroverted people tend to be associated with professions, that have socializing with the world and a lot of energy, such as customer service, teaching, presenting TV shows, etc., while Introverted people tend to be associated with more solitary professions, such as writing books, doing scientific research, computer programming, and so on. However, to what extent does this connection correspond to reality? Are all researchers introverted and all TV presenters extroverted? If we consider that 1/3 and maybe a little more of the world workforce is made up of introverted people according to research, then should we consider that all these people are writers and scientists? That in this 1/3 there are no people, who are artists or occupy leadership positions or are entrepreneurs? Honestly, I find it very difficult to believe this, because it can’t be true. As mentioned above, the levels of energy and motivation differ between extroverts and introverts, but this does not mean that the first have and the others do not have. For this reason, social skills such as communication, leadership or collaboration should not only be linked to extroversion.
An introverted person could work in customer service and be friendly, helpful and very efficient in this area. Simply, during his / her break, instead of looking for the company of his / her colleagues, he / she would prefer to be left alone to calm down and “charge his / her batteries”. On the opposite shore, an extroverted person might as well engage in computer programming and during work breaks pursue discussions with his / her co-workers or communicate with his / her friendly environment. It is worth noting that, according to studies, working groups, where members take initiatives, are more effective with introverts than with extroverted leaders, and this is because introverted leaders listen to the suggestions and thoughts of team members and give them the opportunity to implement them. In contrast, groups with more passive members, extroverted leaders contribute significantly to the achievement of the group’s goals, as they are the ones, who activate and motivate its members. Consequently, introversion and extroversion as a personality trait should not be associated with, or identified with, specific social skills, that a person has or does not have.
From the above it is understood that both introverts and extroverts can respond effectively to all professions, if they wish. Therefore, the question is not the choice of extroverts over introverts and vice versa in a job but, their proper management and utilization by companies. Enterprises need to properly assess the personalities and skills, in addition to the qualifications of employees and their prospective employees, and then to create a work environment, in which introverts and extroverts can coexist harmoniously. As several studies have shown, the coexistence of introverts with extroverts in the workplace results in the creation of more efficient, balanced and healthy workgroups.
This article contains copyright. Reproduction of all or part of this article may be done with the consent of the author or with reference to the website www.marialykousi.gr. The first publication was made at www.psychology.gr on 12/27/2020.