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In this post, we talked about how introverts sometimes get a bad rap, particularly in the workplace. I think we should take it a step further though.

I think a strong case can be made that not only is it OK to be an introvert or to have introverts on our teams; but just like there are advantages to being a bit more extroverted, there are also certain advantages that introverts have.

[bctt tweet=”Just like there are advantages to #extroversion, there are advantages to #introversion. #leadership”]

But wait, Matt. You’re always rambling on about culture fit. We’re trying to cultivate a positive, creative culture. Does this mean we should compromise our organizations’ values if introversion appears to run contrary to those values?

Well, unless your organizations’ values include a particular decibel level and outward display of a specific type of gregariousness, then it really doesn’t matter if someone’s introverted or extroverted. Both introverts and extroverts can have great attitudes (and bad ones). Both introverts and extroverts can be creative (or not as much). And so on.

So what are those particular advantages that many introverts in the workplace seem to have? What are some of those invaluable things that introverts bring to their teams and organizations?

1. Introverts can be very good in smaller groups and one-on-one interactions.

Just because they don’t enjoy being at huge parties forever, doesn’t mean they don’t love connecting with people. In fact, most introverts thoroughly enjoy meaningful conversations and connection with people.

2. Introverts may see things others can’t.

They think about things differently, which allows them to see issues from different angles and pick up different nuances and dynamics.

[bctt tweet=”#Introverts think differently, which allows them to pick up different dynamics. #leadership”]

3. Introverts can be wicked smart.

Go ahead click this.

There. You got your obligatory Good Will Hunting fix.

But you know what they’re doing when they’re sitting there not talking? They’re thinking.

[bctt tweet=”Know what #introverts are doing while they’re sitting quietly? They’re thinking. #leadership #hr”]

4. Introverts listen and observe well (even if it might not look like it sometimes).

They listen. They observe. They conceptualize. They reason. And the whole time they’re doing that you may think they’re in La-La Land. 🙂

[bctt tweet=”#Introverts are often adept at listening, observing & reasoning. #leadership #companyculture #hr”]

An aside for the sake of illustrating what I mean: I had a professor once a long time ago who looked at me during a class, stopped in the middle of her lecture, and in front of God and everybody asked if I was paying attention. “Yes. Why?” I asked. “Well you’re just doodling in that black notebook,” she said. “That is me listening,” I said as I held up my little book so she could see the ideas and boxes and arrows and thoughts and correlations and so on.

The point is that everyone listens and absorbs differently. As folks talk, I’m usually scribbling stuff down–thoughts, ideas, follow-up questions, tangential ideas I don’t want to forget, and so on. I’m also connecting things (literally with lines sometimes) and sort of putting it all together visually into one, big, tangled mess of ink that makes perfect sense to only me. I do that so that I do make sure I’m getting everything my teammates or whoever else is saying.

5. Introverts may bring an unorthodox perspective.

And you need that. I say this a lot, but I’ll keep saying it: Why on earth would you want a team full of people who are wired the exact same way? Don’t misunderstand. I’m not discounting culture fit at all. But one of those myths about culture is that everyone has to express a shared value in the same way. That’s just not the case. Your fun won’t be my fun, and that’s good! Your ideas won’t be my ideas, and that’s great! Thank goodness for variety. Thank goodness we’re not all “normal,” as if there were any such thing.

[bctt tweet=”Fitting in is overrated. Be more human. #leadership #companyculture #corporateculture #hr”]

6. Many introverts are able to conceptualize and explain things in ways that seem off at first, but then….click.

So wait for it. They may take the scenic route, but they’re probably going somewhere cool.

7. Introverts tend to be more self-reflective.

They spend lots of time looking inward, and as a result they know themselves pretty well. This one’s a double-edged sword of course, since they can be painfully aware of their own imperfections, both real and imagined.

8. Introverts tend to become passionate experts in areas of particular interest to them.

When they’re passionate about something–and yes, introverts are just as passionate as anyone else–they’re going to invest enormous amounts of mental, emotional, and whatever other kind of energy necessary to have a deep and broad understanding of that thing. If you listen to them talk about that thing for a few seconds, you can hear it coming out.

[bctt tweet=”#Introverts tend to become passionate experts in areas that excite them. #leadership #hr”]

Obviously there are more we could list, but let’s hear from you! What other advantages do introverts bring to teams and organizations?