Power of the Introvert in an Extro-centered World

In a society that champions loud-mouthed, thick-skinned, boisterous, and outgoing personalities, what happens to those of us who are subtle, inner-directed and thoughtful? As a society that pins extroverts against introverts, it’s easy for the quieter, more subdued personalities to be swallowed up by their louder counterparts.

As evidence, scroll through your TV Guide – how many shows are reality ones? Over the past decade, the television industry has seen a rise in reality TV shows, and nearly all of these reality TV shows focus on their loudest cast member (Snooki from Jersey Shore, anyone?). Something in American culture labels those who are extroverts as “good” and “fun” and those who are introverts as “shy” and “boring”.

Well, fellow introverts, it’s time we break the stigma! Author Susan Cain recently published Quiet, a book that explores the power of introverts in a world that can’t seem to stop talking. Quiet describes an interesting phenomenon that Cain has coined as the “Extrovert Ideal”. The “Extrovert Ideal” is “the omnipresent belief that the ideal self is gregarious, alpha and comfortable in the spotlight”. She describes the introverts’ struggle with the demanding ideals pushed upon them by society.

But Cain delves into the perks of being an introvert, too, and why society needs a balance between both types of personalities. In her blog, Cain says “my book addresses introversion from a cultural point of view. It’s about the age-old dichotomy between the ‘man of action’ and the ‘man of contemplation,’ and how the world would be a better place if we valued the two types equally”. A culture that values both talking and listening, both loud and quiet, both introvert and extrovert, is one that is best able to combat complex problems and crises.

But has extroversion always been a favored trait? According to a blog, by Jim Baumer, it wasn’t until the rise of industrialization and urbanization that people began to prize extroversion and shy away from shyness (no pun intended). He says, “when many Americans were leaving rural regions of the country to come to urban areas, flocking to cities, the need to prove themselves in the corporate setting, in job interviews and on sales calls, made extroversion necessary and something to cultivate. A culture where hustling is paramount requires extroverts”. Call it natural selection, if you will.

However, what saddens me most about the introvert/extrovert dilemma is that so many introverts feel undervalued and feel pressured to become an extrovert. It comes as no surprise then, that in this survey, four out of five introverts say extroverts are more likely to get ahead in their workplace. We have labeled introverts as shy, serious, awkward, and somber individuals, when in fact they are just more contemplative and receptive and are better listeners.

When we look to the corporate and celebrity world we find that many of them are extroverts, but in reality, there are many who are introverts, as well. Bill Gates, Julia Roberts, Tom Hanks, and Barbara Walters are all famous introverts who made it far without loud, go-getter personalities.

I consider myself an introvert; I don’t shy away from social interactions but I’m not always the one seeking everyone’s attention either. If you’re interested in discovering your introvert/extrovert tendencies take this quiz. Turns out I’m 40% extrovert, 60% introvert. So, fellow bloggers and readers, which type are you? Do you feel there are disadvantages/advantages to being either and introvert or extrovert? Do you think different cultures value one personality type over another?

It’s about time we introverts rediscover our value in an extrovert-centered world and realize the importance of a two-toned world.