Introvert or Extrovert?? Which skills are important for PMs?
Anonymous
Project Management has a need for both introversion and extroversion. Being aware and knowing where you are on the spectrum allows you to be able to compensate and flex accordingly given the team dynamic you are working in.
Its is assumed that most project managers are extroverts. I do not believe this to be true. Nobody is all one or the other.
Different PM's fall all throughout the spectrum of being introverted or extroverted.
- Extroverts tend to need to work more on listening skills.
- Introverts tend to need to work more on the 'nagging' skills.
Where do you fall on the spectrum and how to you compensate? Saving Changes...
Both are extremes on a continuum related to where you draw your energy from. Extroverts will derive more energy from being in a group setting while introverts will need occasional solo time to refocus and re-energize.
Self-awareness from assessments or candid feedback can help us discover who we are and then mindfulness can help us be better at situational leadership.
I used to be more intro than extroverted but age and forcing myself into previously uncomfortable situations has brought me to more of a balance.
Kiron Saving Changes...
Moemen AhmedDirector| Gleeds Construction Consultancy EgyptCairo, Egypt
Communication lays at the heart of almost every Project Manager daily tasks. It doesn't matter whether a person leans to be an extrovert or introvert, as long as this doesn't prevent her/him from being an excellent communicator (listen, analyze, understand, talk, persuade, negotiate, ... etc). Different persons have to accommodate to professional balance of these major communication skills, if they would want to excel as Project Managers. Saving Changes...
Mohamed Ghazali MaricarSenior Project Manager| EMC Computer Systems (South Asia) Pte LtdSingapore, Select A State, Singapore
It may not be an accurate assumption that extroverts are better communicators than introverts. I believe an able PM will need to exercise both introversion and extroversion 'modes of communication' depending on the situation. If extroversion can be considered 'external communication' time with team members (sponsors, stakeholders etc), introversion is just as necessary a time for any PM to reflect within on issues and 'introvert moments are very beneficial to an individual, more so a PM to think thru on how to address key challenges and also to visualize the next course of actions.
To all PMs, exercise extroversion and treasure your introvert moments. Saving Changes...
It's an interesting question Walt. People that know me think I am an extrovert, and certainly I am not one to shy away from issues or a challenge. Yet I am an INTJ, and in fact deep down an introvert. This means while I generally think, feel and process things like an introvert, I act like an extrovert as there are traits associated with this type necessary (in my view) to run projects, while having the sensitivity to take the extrovert mask off when needed. So to sum it all up, I "play" the extrovert role most of the time, but take the mask off to reveal the introvert when needed or just to be myself. This is the chameleon nature of leadership. Saving Changes...
I think an introvert person tend to be an autodidact and he prefers to work alone instead of delegating some tasks. On the other side an extrovert person prefers group effort and he can easily delegates some tasks. So I think both sides have some drawbacks but depending on the particular situation of the project a good PM should be able to evaluate himself first in order to discover his strengths and weaknesses and evaluate his team members so he can delegate when necessary anytime that the issue is out of his own skills. That doesn't mean he should always do it himself all the time, but depending on the situation he can delegate the task to help other team members gain more skills even if he can do it himself. But when facing an emergency issue he must choose the right person to overcome it, it can be himself or someone else. Saving Changes...
Masoud MasoumiProject Controls Analyst| NoneSacramento, Ca, United States
Never thought about this question. It is a really interesting question. Both Introversion and extroversion have their own pros and cons.
Introverts tend to not only be better one-on-one, but when they have conversations they tend to want to dive deeper, providing more details and depth to the discussion. Therefore, make it a point to have more of these one-on-one meetings. Consciously take time out of your day to meet in such a manner with your stakeholders and team members.
However, extrovert PMs can control their sensitivities. Specially when there are some pressures in their assignments and they do not transfer that into their team.
in brief, it is a need to learn when we need to be introvert or extrovert.
Remember, communication is the bedrock of leadership. Saving Changes...
Anish AbrahamPrivacy Program Manager| University of WashingtonAuburn, Wa, United States
I think project management requires application of leadership, culture and methods to be successful with the ability to lead from front. So, I believe you need a balance of both in order to succeed. Also, both introverted and extroverted project managers will need to flex their personality in line with the situation.
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1 reply by Janice Grier
Feb 06, 2018 2:36 PM
Janice Grier
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Exactly
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Rajeev SharmaPrincipal Consultant | Strategy, EA CoE | Digital Transformation, AI and Gen-AI| Tech MahindraGurgaon, Haryana, India
Balance of both would be a better proposition, and situational hitting to extremes is also fine sometime even desirable. Saving Changes...
Charles LoganAssociate Director / Senior Project Manager | Commissioning Agency, Inc. (CAI)Waxhaw, Nc, United States
A good balance of both would be ideal.
If you are an Introvert, maybe this slideshow on "Adult Facilitation Skills" will help you to be able to present yourself in front of your group.
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