Can Introverts Survive In The Extroverted Business World

“I think a lot, but I don’t say much.” -Anne Frank As a teenager in highschool I often find myself in the same predicament every year, preferring to sit in the back of the classroom alone and unbothered where my best work is accomplished. I rarely conversate to obtain more by listening. I always internalize information before I speak, and hide my theories or impressions away from the world until I determine what's useful or necessary. However, according to society's standards these qualities lack the appropriate “qualifications” an effective leader should have in furtherance of thriving in the extroverted business world. Introverted leaders are able to express their creativity more vigorously due to their common use of solitude, self

On the one hand, one group of observers argue that introverts cannot thrive in the extroverted business world. What they fail to acknowledge is that introverts can succeed by using their unique qualities to their advantage. According to author of The Introverted Leader: Building on Your Quiet Strength, Jennifer B. Kahnweiler, “In today’s extroverted business world, introverts can feel ignored, overlooked, and misunderstood..But in today’s noisy business world and workplace, you can learn how to thrive. The goal is not changing your personality or natural work style, but embracing and expanding who you are” (Kahnweiler). On the other hand, another group of observers who oppose this view replies that Introverts are extremely more appropriate leaders for business inquiries. According to this group, reserved introverts have certain capabilities that extroverts lack, such as, “the ability to focus for

For example, they harness their energy, value their privacy, and prefer one on one discussion when it comes to making important decisions. Research proves, “Studies have shown that introverts work well when they are by themselves which allows them to become more independent” (Admira). Living their everyday lives independently gives them more of an opportunity to shape their future without the help of others, making them self sufficient. Independence can be accompanied by many different struggles such as sensitivity to overstimulation and constructive criticism. Generally speaking, intense research by social psychologist Elaine Aron and her team suggest, “Since introverts are considered as highly sensitive people, overstimulation may lead to depression” (qtd. in Meindl). Therefore, it is critical to balance emotions and maintain a connection with the real world no matter how self reliant one may seem. Emotional risk is no reason why introverts cannot excel in the extroverted business world, but that is just another excuse that came with the advance in society to distance introverts away from personal success. In fact, as entrepreneurs, introverts succeed because they “create and lead companies from a very focused place...Their emphasis is on creating something, not on themselves” (Cain 85). With this mindset it's hard to believe that introverts are persuaded by