Introverts and Meetings
Most people think an introvert is the quiet guy or gal at the party. From a Jungian sense, this isn’t necessarily so. Introverts derive energy from within. Extroverts derive energy from others.
So you can’t really identify an introvert at a party. An introvert may appear outgoing and gregarious. The difference is discovered after the party is over. While the extrovert feels energized, the introvert wants to retreat into a cave to recharge.
Approximately 25% of people are predominantly introverted.
How do you think introverts feel about meetings? They find meetings unpleasant. They may even hate them.
Introverts prefer working things out on their own before communicating with others. Extroverts like bouncing ideas off others first and are more likely to use meetings as a way of thinking through an issue.
As a consequence, introverts often feel that extroverts don’t do their homework. Introverts come to a meeting prepared with ideas to share and discuss. Extroverts enter the room expecting to come to those ideas together. Showing up to a meeting unprepared is a waste of your team’s time and your own.
If you want to get more from your team—especially the introverts—clarify the meeting’s objective and agenda in advance. Allow team members time to think about the issue, to do their homework, and formulate ideas.
Meetings intrinsically support extroverts. Build your meetings around the needs of introverts. You’ll promote greater collaboration, facilitate better brainstorming, and generate better solutions.
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