What Extroverts Could Learn from Introverts
Life Doesn't Have to be a Stage - it Can be a Library
There are hundreds of articles that claim to be able to help introverts "get out of their shell" and become more extroverted and, sure, I get why. Extroverts are often the life and soul of a part; they're social butterflies when at their best and that can be charming. Everyone wants to be the kind of person that fascinates and excites others from time to time. But have you experienced extroverts at their worst? When they're pushy, loud, and overbearing? Of course you have - we all have because nobody can be at their best all the time and there are as many drawbacks to being an extrovert as there are to being overly introverted. So, why is it so rare for extroverts to be encouraged to study introverts? Where are the articles promising to teach extroverts how to "become more peaceful and observant"? That's a topic I could wax lyrical on for a while.
I'll spare you the cultural and social deep-dive (for now), but as someone who is naturally introverted and had to learn to become more extroverted in adult life, I'm here to let you in on a few of the benefits that come with being an introvert.
The Benefits of Being an Introvert
Extroverts, by their nature, tend to take centre-stage more often, but introverts are more than capable of matching them in most areas. In fact, many of the most successful people today self-identify as introverts (Michael Jordan and Steven Spielberg being two examples). The benefits of being an introvert may seem subtle, at first, but they are definitely worth taking note of:
1. Lower Stress Levels
Believe it or not, introverts can be less prone to chronic levels of stress (assuming they're being allowed to get enough of the alone time that they crave). A study published in The Journal of Psychology found that introverts are less likely to hide negative emotions than extroverts and, as such, have lowered levels of stress in periods of emotional turmoil. Add to this their tendency to seek serenity where possible and what an introvert loses in terms of excitement and festivity from time to time, they gain back in tranquillity.
2. They Work Well Alone
In fact, they may prefer it - working alone is a reassuring familiarity for many introverts. While it can be necessary to work in a group now and then, the ability to work effectively by oneself is important in most workplaces, too. Introverts are often best left to get on with work, and find it easier to focus intently when they are alone - this can make them productive powerhouses in the right setting.
3. Being a Team Player is Easy
While it's true that introverts can learn some things from extroverts when it comes to working in groups, that doesn't make them bad at being part of a team. In fact, once introverts overcome any natural shyness they might have, they are excellent team players - introverts rarely have the same desire to be in the limelight that many extroverts do, this makes it easy for them to share it when working in a team.
4. Quiet Breeds Creativity
One of the world's most famous introverts, Albert Einstein once said,
"The monotony and solitude of a quiet life stimulates the creative mind."
This is certainly true, and because introverts often seek out time to be alone, it's common for them to think deeply about the world around them. This can lead to creativity in many different ways, and will often cause them to think of unusual solutions to otherwise common problems.
5. Compassion is Easy When You're Paying Attention
Extroverts are dazzling when they really hit their stride, but one of the main downsides of this is that they can (unintentionally) drown out less confident people. This can lead to them losing out of opportunities to really get to know some of the quieter people around them. Introverts are more likely to hear those quiet voices; if you've ever been at a table, slowly lowering your voice as you realise no one is listening to your story then made eye contact with that one friend who's paying attention you'll know how refreshing it can be to run into an introvert when you need them most.
5 Things Your Introverted Friends Could Teach You
So, there are some benefits to being an introvert. In fact, there are just as many benefits to being an introvert as there are to being an extrovert - but what specific things can your introverted friends teach you?
1. How to Listen Actively
Hearing is not the same as listening - this may sound silly, but it's true. If you've ever spoken to someone who misunderstands the intricacies of your viewpoint no matter how hard you try, you already know what the difference is. Because introverts often spend a lot of time being quiet in social situations, they can learn the skill known as "active listening" without meaning to. Active listening is not just about hearing and understanding what someone says, it's about how you present yourself and how you respond. Have you ever spoken to someone who nods and provides verbal affirmation when you speak? Or someone who mirrors certain sections of your speech back to you when asking a question? If so, you've seen active listening at work; this is a good way to create mutual understanding and bring people into the same headspace as each other and its very useful in professional and academic situations.
2. How to Prioritize Your Wellness
If you're an extrovert you probably have a real lust for life and find a lot of joy in other people - this is great and you should nurture that! The one downside to all this enthusiasm is that it can be easy to be swept away with the tide and forget to take time to decompress and de-stress. Introverts are very good at taking things slowly and finding peace, even in a bust environment. Learning to step back from socializing in order to checki n with your emotional, mental, and physical wellbeing is hugely important and it's something that your introverted friends might be able to help with!
3. How to be a Team Player
Extroverts make excellent team leaders, but introverts make great team players. While a group full of introverts might struggle because people are willing to step up and take charge, a group of extroverts can struggle to be productive because everyone wants to be in the driving seat (or at least heard). Listening to your introverted friends can help you to be a better team player and you, in turn, can teach your introverted friends how to step into the spotlight with a little more easily.
4. How to Question Your Own Biases
Introverts spend a lot of time in their own heads, it's the nature of the beast (so to speak) which is why so many introverts are deep thinkers or overthinkers. Your introverted friends can teach you a thing or two about how to question your actions, motives, and biases; spending time alone with your thoughts is one of the best ways to develop self-awareness and make positive changes to yourself.
5. When to Hand Over the Mic
If you're an extrovert your voice could well be one of your best assets, but that doesn't mean that it always needs to be the loudest. Your introverted friends can teach you how to let others take the mic without losing what makes you so amazing!
If introverts and extroverts work together, we can have the best of both worlds! All it takes is a little bit of practice and the willingness to look for new ways of living.
About the Creator
S. A. Crawford
Writer, reader, life-long student - being brave and finally taking the plunge by publishing some articles and fiction pieces.
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Well written
Well written