Extrovert vs. Introvert

[pink_sugar]

So my dad says you need to not be an introvert to make good money. His impression is that my husband will have a hard time making good money because of this. I disagree. There are all types of personalities. While being outgoing is a major plus, I know plenty of quiet and introverted people who make a good living. Unless you are a salesperson, like my dad who is living off of commission, I don't think you necessarily have to be outgoing.

[Leegh]

I agree with you. There are all types of people in the world, and I think it is just a question of finding the right job for that particular person, whether the person is quiet or outgoing. Quiet people have a lot of strength and may surprise people in the long run. Many, many celebs who are now very famous were very quiet when they were young, and perhaps that is why they became interested in acting to express themselves.

[steveT95]

Why not ambivert? Everybody wins!!

[Emma11]

The beautiful thing about life is it takes all types of people and no one 'type' is going to be good in all things. There are things only people who are introverted can do best and things extroverted people can do best (in theory).

 

I was actually thinking about this earlier at work because we have teachers who are on both sides of the spectrum and everywhere in between. All are amazing teachers, some are just more introverted, some more outgoing. Extroverted people might be more likely in certain positions to make more, but likewise introverted people in other positions may be more likely to.

[tbf]

Your father's a bit behind the times. Send him this newest study. Ambiverts talk and listen.

 

Rethinking the Extraverted Sales Ideal

 

Abstract

 

Despite the widespread assumption that extraverts are the most productive salespeople, research has shown weak and conflicting relationships between extraversion and sales performance. In light of these puzzling results, I propose that the relationship between extraversion and sales performance is not linear but curvilinear: Ambiverts achieve greater sales productivity than extraverts or introverts do. Because they naturally engage in a flexible pattern of talking and listening, ambiverts are likely to express sufficient assertiveness and enthusiasm to persuade and close a sale but are more inclined to listen to customers’ interests and less vulnerable to appearing too excited or overconfident. A study of 340 outbound-call-center representatives supported the predicted inverted-U-shaped relationship between extraversion and sales revenue. This research presents a fresh perspective on the personality traits that facilitate successful influence and offers novel insights for people in choosing jobs and for organizations in hiring and training employees.

[Got it]

What is considered a good living?

 

I am not an extrovert and make six figures so I think I am doing fairly well. It doesn't mean that I don't work on the skills that an extrovert has even though they do not come naturally to me.

[dj572]

Extroverts never seem to understand introverts. I am introverted and I do just fine. If I had to sell for a living I might not do so well. It takes all types. I read 50% are introverted and I'm sure some make plenty of money you just have to pick a career that fits your personality.

[KathyM]

Half the population are introverts, half are extroverts, with people on a spectrum ranging from very extroverted to very introverted. Some jobs are geared towards extroverts, and some are geared towards introverts. There are well paying jobs for each personality type. Extroverts are often good at jobs in sales or business management, which can pay very well. Introverts are geared towards jobs in engineering, science, research, and those jobs can pay very well, just to name a few. Bill Gates is definitely an introvert, and one of the richest men in the world. Income capacity has nothing to do with whether someone is an introvert or an extrovert.

[Feelin Frisky]

I think your dad means something more than good money--he means social mobility for your children as well. And that comes with being known and respected by other folks who "have". It's true that one can make enough money to have a fulfilling life without being an extrovert. But there's more to the philosophy of wealth than one's own life. It also involves a belief in the future, procreation and drive to want the wealth line to carry on the family brand.

[TheFinalWord]

So my dad says you need to not be an introvert to make good money. His impression is that my husband will have a hard time making good money because of this. I disagree. There are all types of personalities. While being outgoing is a major plus, I know plenty of quiet and introverted people who make a good living. Unless you are a salesperson, like my dad who is living off of commission, I don't think you necessarily have to be outgoing.

 

I have found money making capacity is most often mediated by one's appreciation for time.

 

Personality can influence social capital, but even introverts can successfully engage in social networking opportunities. As an introvert, antecdotally, I have found that I recharge via being alone, while my extrovert colleagues recharge through engagement w/others. Being an introvert does not necessarily mean you are not able to maximize social capital IMHO

[hppr]

His impression is that my husband will have a hard time making good money because of this.

 

If he was an extrovert your dad would say that he is too much of a goofball to make good money. What it comes down to is this; the guy is putting it to his daughter (you). He's never going to completely like him! It's just how dads are, so have your relationship and don't worry about what he says.

[Feelin Frisky]

Nowadays one does not have to settle for being either one or the other. There actually is medicine that works for over-coming social anxiety without intoxication. Just sayin'.

[ja123]

Nowadays one does not have to settle for being either one or the other. There actually is medicine that works for over-coming social anxiety without intoxication. Just sayin'.

 

What medecine is that?

[todreaminblue]

So my dad says you need to not be an introvert to make good money. His impression is that my husband will have a hard time making good money because of this. I disagree. There are all types of personalities. While being outgoing is a major plus, I know plenty of quiet and introverted people who make a good living. Unless you are a salesperson, like my dad who is living off of commission, I don't think you necessarily have to be outgoing.

 

 

Micheal jackson was an introvert........most recluses who have loads of money....inventors, creative types are likely introverts...

 

my dad told me to judge someone on their shoes....he told a boy to go away because he came to the door to pick me up with no shoes on......he said to him ...you cant turn up with shoes on, you cant go out with my daughter......do you own shoes?...my step father was pretty harsh scared the crap out of many a poor boy.............most fathers are protective....was he right?.....yes he was.......doesnt mean he was right all the time though.......do what you feel in your heart.....introvert extrovert.....your dad doesnt have to live your life....d.eb

[Lauriebell82]

I am an introvert and it can be both negative and positive for me in the work place. I dont fight with coworkers and dont gossip which seems to sometimes alienate me from coworkers/bosses. when I talk my coworkers are able to twist what I say because I dont say a lot, they have to have someyhing to gossip about me. Plus I get labeled as a goody too shoes.

 

It helps me with clients though because I am not loud and talk when needed. So my personality helps with my actual work but not so much in office dynamic.

[anne1707]

Introverts can be just as successful as extroverts. It may be that different career paths suit - an introvert may struggle to do sales and an extrovert may struggle working in a library. But we are not all after the same job at the end of the day.

[Star Gazer]

I am an introvert and it can be both negative and positive for me in the work place. I dont fight with coworkers and dont gossip which seems to sometimes alienate me from coworkers/bosses. when I talk my coworkers are able to twist what I say because I dont say a lot, they have to have someyhing to gossip about me. Plus I get labeled as a goody too shoes.

 

It helps me with clients though because I am not loud and talk when needed. So my personality helps with my actual work but not so much in office dynamic.

 

This post suggests that extroverts fight with coworkers and gossip, whereas introverts do not, or that extroverts are loud and talk all the time... demonstrating an inherent misunderstanding of what it really means to be an introvert or extrovert.

[melodicintention]

I read Bill Gates is an introvert. I bet there's a bunch of introverts making serious bank. They aren't distracted like extroverts are and will work their ass off for hours on end, not going out seeking connections to people but rather accomplishing their goals.

[pink_sugar]

My dad was talking about this again over the weekend, about how my husband is too introverted and he needs to put himself out there to make real money. I tried to explain to him that there is a big difference between shy and being introverted. My husband doesn't talk much, not even to me. Could he be more assertive? Yes, but you shouldn't judge someone just because they don't have much to say in a social setting.

[Emilia]

This post suggests that extroverts fight with coworkers and gossip, whereas introverts do not, or that extroverts are loud and talk all the time... demonstrating an inherent misunderstanding of what it really means to be an introvert or extrovert.

I think a lot of it is how it comes across in the office though.

 

I sit on a Sales floor, most of the people are extroverted around me (they are the type who would do that kind of job) and they do fight and gossip while as a more introverted person I'm much quieter and chip in only occasionally with an observation and that's it. My closest mates are the web guys here and they are the same, more introverted and stay out of the loud interactions most of the time.

[Emilia]

My dad was talking about this again over the weekend, about how my husband is too introverted and he needs to put himself out there to make real money. I tried to explain to him that there is a big difference between shy and being introverted. My husband doesn't talk much, not even to me. Could he be more assertive? Yes, but you shouldn't judge someone just because they don't have much to say in a social setting.

Assertive helps, especially when pushing for pay rise, fronting things in an office environment, etc. Some people are very good at making themselves look better than they are.

 

However to be successful you usually need to back it up with something. Maybe your husband needs to find what works for him rather than change his personality?

[Eternal Sunshine]

I am a hard core introvert. I enjoy spending time alone and I need it to recharge emotionally and physically.

 

However, I can network with the best of them If you know how to manage your time, you can get plenty of alone time and still maximize your work opportunities.

 

Having said that, something like career in sales or anything too bussines-y sounds like a nightmare to me :S

 

And I have been involved in some office gossip and even few confrontations

[Emilia]

And I have been involved in some office gossip and even few confrontations

In confrontations yes as sometimes I have no choice but constant social engagement back and forth is exhausting to me.

[Star Gazer]

I read Bill Gates is an introvert. I bet there's a bunch of introverts making serious bank. They aren't distracted like extroverts are and will work their ass off for hours on end, not going out seeking connections to people but rather accomplishing their goals.

 

So, extroverts are easily distracted and don't work their asses off or seek to accomplish their goals? Ridiculous!!

 

Even more misconceptions and inherent misunderstandings of what it means ro be an introvert vs. extrovert, not to mention implied slandering of extroverts!

[pink_sugar]

So, extroverts are easily distracted and don't work their asses off or seek to accomplish their goals? Ridiculous!!

 

Even more misconceptions and inherent misunderstandings of what it means ro be an introvert vs. extrovert, not to mention implied slandering of extroverts!

 

I think they are both slandered in some way. A lot of people assume that introverts lack ambition or are not assertive. I am an introvert, although lately I've been enjoying socializing, but I've always fared fine on my own. I have always been ambitious, but do I need to be around people all the time? No.