As a massage therapist for 30 years I have always felt my quiet, introverted nature has really suited my chosen profession. A good therapist will make clients feel comfortable, special and listened to. I find my clients not only respect my professional opinion, but acknowledge that I don’t tell them what to do when something is out of my scope of practice. It seems we all have friends who want to help, and therefore feel they can tell us what to do, when we really just want to be listened to or to let off steam. A therapy room is a safe space where clients can say anything, without being judged or told what to do. A good therapist will allow the client to make decisions for themselves, that in itself is therapy.
Although this is an effective trait in a 1-1 treatment, it is less useful in business or corporate situations. It can make me more inclined to continue to listen and allow someone the time to tell their story, but then there is no time for my views or opinions. It is often those who speak loudest who get heard and I feel The Personality Report confirms that. Does this mean those of us who lean into the introverted approach will get nowhere in their career? Absolutely not! I find when I do speak up, I am listened to, perhaps because I speak when I have an opinion rather than just to be a voice in the room. I am also the one my wider organisation turns to for checking detail, proofreading, or when things don’t go to plan. I am seen as calm in a crisis. Another way of saying this is that I am quiet in a crisis, and can focus on doing rather than being seen to do and just speaking. As an introvert I prefer to do my panicking in private!
I have in the past been talked down to or cut off when speaking in a meeting by others with louder voices, and I find it very hard to argue back... so I don’t, I stay quiet. I am perfectly happy speaking up and debating, but loud voices or arguments do not bring out the best in me. In such circumstances I follow up with an email having had time to consider what I wish to say. This doesn’t always work, and I do think I extend some of the anxiety about speaking up by spending too much time on the email.
The report talks about communication as being key to bringing in people from all spheres of the personality spectrum, something I strongly agree with. Yet I feel it isn’t just communication but relationships where the real insights will come. You can confidently walk into a room and tell people what you think, it is very impressive, but leaves no room to get to know you. Or you can quietly join a small group and show interest in them so they then want to seek you out, they don’t just want to speak with you as in communicate, they want to build a relationship they feel will be mutually beneficial. An introvert is more inclined to this personality trait where they have time to ruminate and follow up on any associations. Small talk is not always an introverts strength, something I find can be true of extroverts too.
It is interesting that the biggest percentage gap was that introverts have fewer connections beyond the immediate team. If introverts are particularly good at building relationships it make sense that their connections will be for the most part people they know and interact with rather than casual associates. I certainly found some great insights and food for for thought in the report and look forward to seeing more in the future.