Understanding the Inner Workings of the Office Introvert

I found this article very interesting because it hit on a lot of issues that I haven’t heard discussed before. You see, I would consider myself an introvert, and have often faced the problems laid out here.

Introverts are often perceived as antisocial, shy, slow, and unenthusiastic. However, this couldn’t be any more untrue. Pamela Braun, a Champlin, Minnesota-based career counselor states that “the introvert, processing internally, often has as much going on inside as the extrovert is demonstrating on the outside."

So how do you relate to an office introvert? Here are some suggestions:

Think Before We Talk: "Colleagues and bosses need to realize that introverts often don't know what they think immediately, and that they need time to think things through before coming to a conclusion," says Joe McHugh, vice president of executive services for the Edina, Minnesota, office of Right Management Consultants. So, McHugh stresses, it's critical to "circle back to introverts after they've had some time to consider things."

Recharge (Alone): "Don't assume that an introvert lunching alone is lonely," says New York City-based business communications consultant Nancy Ancowitz, who coaches introverts on self-promotion strategies. What seems like loneliness might be an introvert's private recharging time.

Play to Our Strong Suits: Introverts are often great researchers, writers and strategizers, and they're also "inclined to be good listeners," says Ancowitz. So when you need someone patient, persistent, focused and methodical to oversee a project, chances are you'll find a great candidate in your workplace introvert.