Do introverts have to act out of their character in order to be noticed?

Kgobalale John Malatji Projects Portfolio Manager | Noko-imp Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa

Introverts tend to rely on their work/ track-record to speak for them- they don't often sell themselves. Now this works well if for whatever reason they get the opportunity to prove themselves. On the other side extroverts are able to sell their potential before hand. To an average minded person, they exude ambition and confidence.

Posted: Jul 11, 2016 4:06 PM

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Stéphane Parent Self Employed / Semi-retired| Leader Maker Prince Edward Island, Canada

Most of the people who join Toastmasters are introverts. Yet, give them a year or so and they can "exude ambition and confidence". Does that mean they are now extroverts?

I don't believe so. I think the big distinction is whether you get energized from the people around you or by taking timeouts.

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1 reply by Drew Craig

Jul 15, 2016 6:47 AM

Drew Craig

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Well said. Confidence, or the feeling empowered, does not equate to being an extrovert. One can be introverted by nature, but gain the confidence to open up in comfortable surroundings.

Posted: Jul 12, 2016 9:52 AM

Stephanie Graham VP of Strategy| BankOnIT Oklahoma City, Ok, United States

I do not think that introverts need to act out of their norm to be noticed. Great question.

Posted: Jul 13, 2016 6:26 PM

Samuel Vaddi Avon, In, United States

Yes, you do have to learn some things... Then again, don't we all.

There are some finer points I learned from Nancy Ancowitz's articles and approach
http://selfpromotionforintroverts.com/

Posted: Jul 14, 2016 5:14 PM (Updated by author: Jul 14, 2016 5:14 PM)

Drew Craig Sr. Agile & Product Coach| Vanguard Philadelphia, Pa, United States

Jul 12, 2016 9:52 AM

Replying to Stéphane Parent

...

Well said. Confidence, or the feeling empowered, does not equate to being an extrovert. One can be introverted by nature, but gain the confidence to open up in comfortable surroundings.

Posted: Jul 15, 2016 6:47 AM

Stéphane Parent Self Employed / Semi-retired| Leader Maker Prince Edward Island, Canada

I think the problem is that introvert is usually equated to mean shy or timid. On the opposite end, extrovert is usually understood to mean gregarious. Unfortunately, dictionaries and thesauri don't help the situation.

It's not unusual for an introvert to be shy and an extrovert to be gregarious. As an ex-introvert (at least, according to my last Myers-Briggs), I'm neither shy nor gregarious.

Introversion: "attitude-type characterised by orientation in life through subjective psychic contents" (focus on one's inner psychic activity) - C. Jung

Extraversion: "an attitude type characterised by concentration of interest on the external object" (the outside world) - C. Jung

Posted: Jul 15, 2016 7:24 AM (Updated by author: Jul 15, 2016 7:25 AM)

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Do introverts have to act out of their character in order to be noticed?

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