Introvert Vs. Extrovert

People generally fall into two categories.  Either you are an Introvert or an Extrovert.

Most people know what these terms are, but just in case you do not, I will explain.

Introverts are seen as people who are shy, withdrawn, they do not “put themselves out there.”

Extroverts are the opposite.  They are outgoing, normally louder, they are more easily accepted in groups and most times crave attention.

Do you think people view themselves as the definitions explain?  I doubt it.  I think introverts view themselves as safer, they are insulated so they cannot be easily ridiculed or maybe they simply do not like the company of others.  Extroverts on the other hand would never view themselves as too loud or needing attention, they would say friendly and easy to get along with.

These personality traits lend themselves to business also.  Introverts want to focus internally and insulate their businesses.  They focus on the internal mechanisms and standards of their companies.  You will see a company with protocols for every possible contingency, but a complete failure or at the best a lackluster approach to marketing and public image. Extroverts, on the other hand, most times will have tons of plans and ideas for the image and connections of their company, but the oversight is lax internally.  They do not focus on the nuts and bolts and are more broad stroke types of people.

Neither plan is exceptionally successful.  Some people will tell you to break out of your comfort zone and cover all aspects, but I would say no.  If you are a general who leads the charge than you lost that power to inspire your soldiers and are less effective if you try to be something you are not.  How then do you cover the shortfall in responsibilities?  Easily.  You hire people who can cover what you do not handle yourself.  Take any major corporation or even the successful small ones.  Where you see an owner who is an introvert you will see a marketing manager who is amazing, and in the companies who have owners who are the face of the company and are doing television commercials and magazine articles will have operational managers who never stop.

Why waste your natural skills when you can hire someone who has the natural skills you lack?  Which is better, introvert or extrovert?  Who cares?