Introverts are Hidden Gems
What do Warren Buffett, Eleanor Roosevelt and Gandhi all have in common? Apart from their immensely influential legacies, they identify themselves with the frequently misinterpreted characteristic — introversion.
What do Warren Buffett, Eleanor Roosevelt and Gandhi all have in common? Apart from their immensely influential legacies, they identify themselves with the frequently misinterpreted characteristic — introversion. In fact, the term introvert is so misunderstood that it is occasionally synonymous with words such as narcissist, egotist and other demeaning names. Yet, contrary to popular belief, introversion and shyness are not interchangeable. Introverts prefer being on their own, whereas those who are shy may not particularly crave isolation, but instead are intimidated by social interaction. Similarly, introversion and misanthropy are significantly unalike — while introverts enjoy being lone wolves, they are not contemptuous against humankind. Many introverts build deep connections with individuals personally or in small groups.
For instance, my favorite past time in middle school was listening to music alone while other students were hanging out in the playground (Taylor Swift’s music vibrating in my eardrums was more appealing to me than the voices of my friends chit-chatting and laughing). I didn’t necessarily find personal encounters unfavorable, but unlike my peers (and as bizarre as it sounds), socializing and highly stimulating activities depleted my energy, much like deflating car tires screeching for air after a lengthy road trip. While I preferred solitude, I wasn’t necessarily shy. In fact, I often answered questions voluntarily in class and represented my grade in school-wide assemblies. As I tried to discover and unravel my identity at a young age, I couldn't help but loathe myself for being peculiar. “If only I could write and transfer my introversion onto a piece of paper, roll it into a ball and dispose of it,” I wondered, but of course it was merely a fantasy. Consequently, rejecting some of my introverted qualities and adopting gregariousness during social gatherings gradually became second nature.
It was only this year that I began embracing myself as an introvert, thanks in part to the TED Talk of Susan Cain, a Harvard law school graduate who advocates for introverts with the Quiet Revolution. In her heartfelt presentation, she admits that she had thought of her reserved nature as a disadvantage to overcome. But after extensive research, she realized that what she thought of as a weakness is in truth a strength. She continues the conversation more in-depth in her book, Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking, in which she writes about the devaluation of introverts and how much is lost in doing so.
If extroverts are the gleaming stars in the night sky, then introverts are the diamonds beneath the Earth. Their differences may set them apart, but one is not inherently superior to the other. According to a study done by Francesca Gino, which was posted in the Harvard Business Review, introverts make good listeners due to their humility and ability to focus. Simultaneously, introverts have a way of articulating words, which is attributed to their inclination to think before they speak. Not only that, but they also exhibit an equanimity, a calm composure, generating a peaceful atmosphere even in the face of a conflict. Since introverts take pleasure in critical-thinking, they are able to solve difficult problems creatively. Likewise, they are observant and insightful because they recognize and ponder the nitty-gritty details of life.
The characteristics of introverts manifest that they are just as remarkable as extroverts, hence it is long overdue that introverts are appreciated for their myriad of attributes and are offered an equal playing field in schools and corporations. We, introverts, constantly feel the pressure of replicating every single movement of our counterparts as if we are newborns attempting to learn a language. And of course, a number of us succumb to the strain. How can we ever succeed if we are not overtly expressive? In schools, students who project their voices loudest, clearest and strongest, are discerned as the intelligent. Furthermore, those who possess dominant voices are appointed as group leaders. During my summer internship at a financial firm, I witnessed similar situations prevail. Candidates who perform the best during interviews would attain a job, offices are open-space areas and only people who speak up during large meetings are heard. Although introverts should be encouraged to participate in discussions, they should not be scrutinized for what may appear as reticence. Neither should they be forced to verbalize their opinions during meetings to the same degree and fashion as their extroverted co-workers. Institutions should not limit themselves to designing stimulating activities for extroverts solely; assessments that encourage the less verbal to vocalize their knowledge in creative and unprecedented measures have proven to be successful. After all, great cultivation does not focus on producing cookie cutter students and employees, but instead allows individuals to discover their full potential while having the freedom to express themselves.
Gandhi once famously stated, “In a gentle way, [introverts] can shake the world.” These prophetic words could not ring truer. For without the contributions of self-proclaimed introverts and visionaries such as Rosa Parks, Albert Einstein and Bill Gates, much of the progress regarding civil rights, quantum physics, and modern technology would be lost on us. Not only do the aforementioned individuals debunk and redefine what it means to be an introvert, but they also offer a much-needed sense of pride for those who are struggling with identifying as one. Introverts are much more than the formal notion of being a recluse; they are multifaceted individuals who are destined to evolve the world’s conventions.
About the Creator
Estrella Lo
Hey, nice to meet you! I'm an 18-year-old writer & entrepreneur who enjoys shedding light upon taboo subjects. Your support goes towards my English enrichment programs and clothing brand. Find me: https://www.instagram.com/estrellaxlo/
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