Introverts vs Extroverts - Louisiana Judicial College

Introverts vs. Extroverts

IS THERE AN IT

PERSONALITY?

New report blends research and testimonials from 465 IT professionals with existing opinion on introversion in the workplace. This aims to shed some light on the complex mix of personalities that make up the modern

world of IT.

Introverts vs. Extroverts

IDG Connect

Introduction

Back in the 1950s the sales force at IBM would gather each morning for a hearty sing-song. This began with "Ever Onward", the company mantra, and was followed by an even more vigorous performance of "Selling IBM" to the tune of "Singing in the Rain" ? a piece which built up to the climactic close: "We're always in trim, we work with a vim. We're selling, just selling IBM." After that, the team would head off to their desks to begin their sales calls.

To some people the mere description of this early-morning ritual would be enough to strike terror into their hearts, and the event itself would leave them feeling so physically drained, they'd need a little lie down afterwards. Yet for others, this would sound like an excellent plan and a fantastic place to work all round ? and by 9.30am they'd be bursting with enthusiasm and energy to do their jobs.

Your personal reaction will partly come down to whatever it is you have to do all day. However, it will also be part and parcel of your innate personality type. And if you're an introvert, chances are you would prefer to avoid the sing-along session.

" Why enter a career in IT unless you are an `introverted' geek with no social skills? IDG Connect

Many people choose their jobs based on their personal preferences. If you can't stand children you're not likely to become a primary school teacher. Yet it is not as cut and dried as many think and, as we all know, it is common to make incorrect assumptions about people, based on what they do. Who would believe anyone would become a TV presenter unless they were an over-confident narcissist? And why enter a career in IT unless you are an `introverted' geek with no social skills?

Through this short report we discuss what introversion really means in practice, how prevalent it is across IT and how this ties into the bigger, ever-changing, IT and business landscape. This document includes new research drawn from a global pool of 465 IT professionals, first-person testimonials from respondents, along with a range of in-depth interviews with industry experts and introverted leaders.

What is an Introvert?

"I soon discovered there is no all-purpose definition of introversion or extroversion," wrote Susan Cain, author of the ground-breaking work of non-fiction, `Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking'. "There are almost as many definitions of introvert and extrovert as there are personality psychologists, who spend a great deal of time arguing over which meaning is more accurate," she continued. This said, she did find some clear points of agreement amongst this fragmented community:

1. Introverts and extroverts differ in the level of outside stimulation they need - introverts tend to become drained by too much external interaction while extroverts thrive on it

2. Introverts tend to work differently from extroverts - these tackle tasks quickly while introverts tend to work more slowly and deliberately

3. Introverts may have strong social skills but they listen more than they talk and often feel they express themselves better in writing than in conversation - many dislike conflict

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Introverts vs. Extroverts

IDG Connect

"The word introversion is not a synonym for hermit or misanthrope," stressed Cain. "Introverts can be these things but most are perfectly friendly. Nor are introverts necessarily shy. Shyness is the fear of social humiliation or disapproval, while introversion is a preference for environments that are not over-stimulating. Shyness is inherently painful; introversion is not."

There are certainly a lot of misconceptions about introversion. And Cain argues that this group of people, which makes up a third to half of the corporate US depending on where you get your statistics, has also been ignored in most workplaces.

Yet for IT professionals this negative, incorrect view of introversion goes one step further. Despite being the greatest enabler of our age, the whole profession has been coloured by the notion that it is exclusively populated by nerds and geeks with zero social skills. This has nothing to do with real-life introversion, but it can have an impact on the people IT attracts, especially girls [2013 research PDF]. And many argue this could actively hinder innovation.

As one survey respondent put it: "One of the biggest disservices to our industry is the cultural stereotype of the super-introverted, socially maladjusted techie nerd. In fact, all kinds of people succeed, but, because of the public misconceptions, too many brilliant, outgoing people - especially women - never even consider enrolling in a computing college. It's a loss for all..."

What Does Our Research Show About Introversion in IT?

There is one problem with the the direct split between introverts and extroverts - it leaves no room for the middle way: ambiverts. This is briefly acknowledged in Cain's book, but then quickly skirted over. With this in mind, and in order to gain the most accurate gauge of what percentage of our audience actively identified themselves as introverts, we also included an ambiverts option in the questionnaire.

Interestingly, just over half (53%) of 465 professionals we surveyed said they were introverts, 24% said they were ambiverts, 20% said they were extroverts, while 3% didn't know. This certainly does seem to suggest a slightly higher level of introversion than average. This is by no means a negative thing, it simply correlates with a lot of the core work that IT professionals have to do.

What personality type are you?

53%

INTROVERT

24%

AMBIVERT

20%

EXTROVERT

IDG Connect research

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Introverts vs. Extroverts

IDG Connect

There was also a clear personal preference towards introverts amongst the introvert community, possibly because it has tended to be undervalued.

Shawn Eadens, a Senior Management Consultant, concurred with this point: "There is a big difference between perception and performance for introverts in the workplace and society in general. The introvert is significantly undervalued and underappreciated for their multi-faceted contributions."

John Perry, a Senior Server Engineer and IT Architect at City of Mesa, Arizona, added: "We don't market ourselves well. [Although] if we are accomplished in what we do, our ideas, products or others sell us."

In fact, our survey showed that 49% of introverts profiled believe that introverts are better suited to a career in IT. Whilst only 24% of ambiverts and 22% of extroverts thought introverts were better suited. Obviously, there are a range of skill-sets involved in any IT career, but this does suggest a quiet confidence for introverts amongst other introverts, which is not necessarily shared by others.

Are some personality types better suited to careers in tech?

Introverts

Ambiverts

Extroverts

4%

introverts think extroverts are better suited to careers in the

tech industry

49%

introverts think introverts are better suited to careers in

the tech industry

47%

introverts think neither are better suited to careers in the tech industry

13%

ambiverts think extroverts are better suited to careers in the

tech industry

24%

ambiverts think introverts are better suited to careers in

the tech industry

63%

ambiverts think neither are better suited to careers in the tech industry

23%

extroverts think extroverts are better suited to careers in the

tech industry

22%

extroverts think introverts are better suited to careers in

the tech industry

55%

extroverts think neither are better suited to careers in the tech industry

IDG Connect research

Sarah Cain argued strongly for the importance of introverts in a variety of functions and cited numerous studies which showed the propensity for these individuals to perform highly concentrated analytical work. Our survey respondents weighed into this subject from a variety of angles:

"I think there is too much value placed on extroversion," wrote one respondent. "People who speak loudly and confidently don't necessarily have the best ideas, and those who struggle to speak up or articulate their ideas don't necessarily have bad ideas or no ideas. I think it's unfortunately a natural response to side with someone who is comfortable speaking up, because they're able to give you information; it's something that introverts must cope with if they are to find happiness in their work."

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Introverts vs. Extroverts

IDG Connect

Another disagreed: "In my opinion, there is a critical shortage of extroverts. Too many professionals rest solely on their technical prowess, and simply feel no need to improve their ability to interact effectively with others."

One extrovert wrote: "I've had to work against perceptions like `Why aren't you just getting down to it?' I've also had to deal with a perception that, being a little `noisier' than an `I' [introvert] with the same job, I am more high maintenance."

Another offered a more middle view: "I believe the issue is that introverts are more likely to put in long hours in R&D, while extroverts are more likely to have holistic understandings of the business and market. Having one or the other fails to address the true synergy that comes from having IT align with the business."

" The main aim of psychological profiling techniques is so people can understand themselves in order to overcome their natural weaknesses, not to pigeonhole them.

IDG Connect

Perhaps the whole issue of introversion and extroversion has been blown out of all proportion then? After all, the main aim of psychological profiling techniques is so people can understand themselves in order to overcome their natural weaknesses, not to pigeonhole them. Yet this is precisely why introversion has come to play such a core role in professionals' conception of themselves - it is integral to the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator.

What is the MBTI Indicator?

The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, or MBTI, is based on the writings of Carl Jung. It is currently used by 89 of the Fortune 100 companies and is probably the most common personality test out there. It has also proved so ludicrously popular that a range of t-shirts, mugs and other memorabilia are available to interested parties.

The flip side, of course, is it has received a lot of criticism. This has ranged from the way it is used by businesses to hire and categorise people, through to scepticism on the scientific validity of the test itself. One of the chief censures levelled at it is that many of those profiled emerge as a different `type' the second time they take the test.

For those not au fait: MBTI is based on four scales. These (loosely) cover: how you interact with the world (Introversion/Extroversion); how you take in information (Sensing/Intuition); how you make decisions (Thinking/ Feeling); and how you organise yourself (Judging/Perceiving).

This makes a certain amount of sense if you study the underlying idea. But part of the issue with the test (especially simple online versions) is that multiple choice questions often give rise to a range of silly, erroneous conclusions. For example: "Do you feel involved when watching TV soaps?" might indicate more of an inclination towards liking this type of television, than any innate tendency to sympathise with fellow human beings.

Cherie Haynie, a leadership consultant for the publisher of the Myers-Briggs Indicator tool CPP who helps professionals use the tool ethically, is keen to stress that it should only be used with a registered practitioner. Otherwise the results will be inaccurate and could prove unhelpful.

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