Introversion: Why it is an underestimated strength in the job

“We are actually very happy with you, but you urgently need to come out of yourself more.” How often have I heard this sentence in feedback discussions. And every time this well-intentioned advice was given, I thought: “Right, I really have to. I have to be louder, push myself more to the fore, draw attention to myself and my work, and 'sell' myself more aggressively.” But now I know: I don't have to do anything. Introverted people may not shine as brightly as their extroverted colleagues, but that doesn't mean they are less valuable to a team - on the contrary.

Everyone loves extroverts – especially in the working world. At the same time, the achievements of introverted people are more easily overlooked because they are less likely to distinguish themselves in front of their superiors. Networking is also not for introverts because they often find small talk and events with lots of people quite stressful. But according to experts, calmer characters have advantages, especially when it comes to working with others: They are more empathetic, listen better, can often question themselves better and get to the point better. They are also good team players because they don't always insist on their own point of view, but can sometimes subordinate themselves.

We now know that a team can benefit greatly from diversity. And that's why it makes a lot of sense to bring people with different character traits together in one department.

There is a big mistake that my superiors often fell for in my feedback discussions: introversion is often equated with shyness. But those are two completely different things. Shyness is a social fear that can be overcome. Shy people might like to join in a discussion or highlight their successes more. But they don't dare. It's different with introverted people: introversion is part of their character. So introverts don't feel the need to be the center of attention at all. So it would be impossible for me to “come out of myself more” because introversion is a part of me, a preference that I cannot give up, let alone want to.

As an introvert, the simplest solution is the most obvious: find the right job. A job in accounting may be easier for introverts than a career as a coach or customer advisor. But even if the dream job isn't necessarily characterized by silence and seclusion, introverts can still thrive in it. Best example:describes himself as an introvert. Nevertheless, public speeches, receptions and small talk with important people determined her life as Chancellor for 16 years.

Companies, on the other hand, can certainly support introverted people in their everyday work. For example, introverts prefer to work in seclusion rather than in an open-plan office. If work allows it, there should also be the option of working from home. New discussion formats are also needed so that introverts do not present their ideas straight away in front of the entire team, but first write them down for themselves or discuss them with individual team partners. It is also the job of managers to make the successes of introverts in the team visible and, for example, to praise them more often when they don't do it themselves.