Introverts vs Extroverts

A friend bought me this book that is supposed to be very good, not had chance to read it yet

Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking

The introvert/extrovert divide is the most fundamental dimension of personality. And at least a third of us are on the introverted side. Some of the world's most talented people are introverts. Without them we wouldn't have the Apple computer, the theory of relativity and Van Gogh's sunflowers.

Yet extroverts have taken over. Shyness, sensitivity and seriousness are often seen as being negative. Introverts feel reproached for being the way they are.

In Quiet, Susan Cain shows how the brain chemistry of introverts and extroverts differs, and how society misunderstands and undervalues introverts. She gives introverts the tools to better understand themselves and take full advantage of their strengths.

Passionately argued, superbly researched, and filled with real stories, Quiet will permanently change how we see introverts - and how you see yourself.
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Why does one have to be better than the other?

Many, many years ago I took part in a management workshop which looked at the Myers-Briggs personality type indicator, and an interesting bit was when those who considered themselves on the introvert side were asked to stand on one side of the room, with the extroverts on the other side. Each group was then asked what they admired and disliked about the other group and it generated comments like:
"Why don't they talk with me to help me work through a problem?"
"I admire their ability to sit down alone and analyse problems"
"I admire their ability to think and speak on their feet"
"Why can't they just shut up for a moment and let me think?"

Of course it was the extroverts that jumped in first :D.
 
wonko said:
Why does one have to be better than the other?
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Agreed, the best scenario is somewhere in between, where you can express your opinion when interested or required but you're not the gob***** who has to have their opinion on everything or the mute who sits there in silence.
 
wonko said:
Why does one have to be better than the other?

Many, many years ago I took part in a management workshop which looked at the Myers-Briggs personality type indicator, and an interesting bit was when those who considered themselves on the introvert side were asked to stand on one side of the room, with the extroverts on the other side. Each group was then asked what they admired and disliked about the other group and it generated comments like:
"Why don't they talk with me to help me work through a problem?"
"I admire their ability to sit down alone and analyse problems"
"I admire their ability to think and speak on their feet"
"Why can't they just shut up for a moment and let me think?"

Of course it was the extroverts that jumped in first :D.
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I have one of these coming up, I know I'm an introvert, I'm an accountant so that's pretty common in my profession anyway.

I'm really not sure what I'm going to take from a massive group session, in which I'll be uncomfortable and most likely not be fussed to say anything, about personality types.
 
I was the exact same Wingman.
It's well worth reading, I associated with a lot of the contents and made me see things in a different way.
I don't see why 1 has to be better than the other though, each have their own pluses and minuses. Unfortunately our current society is geared towards the extrovert.
 
Rids said:
I have one of these coming up, I know I'm an introvert, I'm an accountant so that's pretty common in my profession anyway.

I'm really not sure what I'm going to take from a massive group session, in which I'll be uncomfortable and most likely not be fussed to say anything, about personality types.
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It probably depends a lot on how well you know the people in the group and how it's run, but it's an opportunity to learn a bit about how other peoples' minds work differently to your own.

You might want to take the personality or teamwork 'models' with a massive pinch of salt though. I think peoples' personalities are far too complicated to be characterised into a box on a flipchart based on a few attributes. (And I say that as an ISTJ :D)
 
wingman said:
I read this and, to date, I've never read a book I've identified with to a greater degree since.

Well worth reading.
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Mr_Moose said:
I was the exact same Wingman.
It's well worth reading, I associated with a lot of the contents and made me see things in a different way.
I don't see why 1 has to be better than the other though, each have their own pluses and minuses. Unfortunately our current society is geared towards the extrovert.
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I best find some time and read it :)
 
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