As a manager, would you assign an introverted employee to speak in front of 1,000 strangers? As a mentor, would you coach an introvert to give it a try?
“Absolutely not”, you say. But I suggest you first check for signs of an “extroverted introvert”.
Think of introverts (highly anti-social) and extroverts (extremely social) as two extreme ends of a scale. Of course, we humans are never just A or Z — we all fit somewhere across that spectrum.
So an “extroverted introvert” is someone who mixes characteristics of each personality type. The strengths of each plus the weaknesses of each.
If your public-speaking averse colleague is one of these, you should consider encouraging them to step up on stage.
A Case Study of One
Ask me, and I’ll tell you that I am an introvert. Consider that:
- I won’t call a store and ask what time they close. I will always research the hours online even if it takes longer.
- When hosting larger parties, I can be found washing dishes after dessert. My wife’s friends think I’m the model modern husband. In reality, my limit for small talk has already been exceeded.
- I’m a computer science grad who spent 10+ happy years programming. Computers never stressed me out like humans do.
But when I tell people I’m an introvert, they are often incredulous. They can’t match my on-stage persona with my in-head nature.
Sink or Swim in Singapore
After landing a job in Singapore halfway through a world tour, I spent my first year writing educational software as the token white guy in a Hokkien Chinese business.
I then found a job on local terms with Microsoft Singapore. It wasn’t the Microsoft that people imagine today. Instead, it consisted of 12 people covering 9 countries. Once again I was the token white guy.
That’s when my life changed. The local boss never said it out loud, but I suspect that he pushed me on stage because audiences would assume I was the clever American that Microsoft sent from HQ. In actuality, I was just as (in)experienced as my local peers.
The largest group I had ever talked to up to that point was three people. Suddenly, I was the technical presenter in front of 3,000+ people.
Playing the Extrovert
Simply to survive, I taught myself how to play the role of an extrovert. I learned how to stop mumbling and speak up with (fake) confidence. I learned the power of telling a story that makes a message stick. I got better at charming an audience and making them laugh. I’ll never be an inspirational preacher-style of presenter, but I can be engaging and informative.
In my time running global advertising for a Fortune 100 company, I added the ability to maintain that extroverted personality from 8am to Midnight during global summits.
But, here’s the gotcha. I can only maintain it for three days max. And then I completely and totally crash socially.
In Summary
That’s why I say: “Introverts Can Be Extroverts”. And it’s why I also add a very important caveat: “Temporarily”.
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For more on this same topic, check out: “10 Signs You’re Probably an Extroverted Introvert” by Fortesa Latifi.