Office social events. Public speaking in front of the department. A meeting with the boss to ask for a raise. For people who identify as introverts, some professional social interactions can bring unease and anxiety.
Our professional lives are full of moments and obligations that push us out of our comfort zones, and that’s a good thing. But acting extroverted when those traits don’t come naturally to you can be difficult.
Luckily, introversion and extroversion are a spectrum, not a binary, and a label shouldn’t limit you. Even if you strongly identify as an introverted person, you likely already have extroverted behaviors that you can develop and fine-tune.
Learning how to be more extroverted at work can help you build adaptability skills, develop valuable soft skills that play into your natural strengths, and understand the limits of your social comfort zone.
The two behaviors: extrovert versus introvert
Introversion and extroversion are behavioral and psychological types developed by psychiatrist Carl Jung in the 1920s. According to Jung’s theory, extroverts thrive on contact with other people while introverts turn inward toward self-reflection. Extroverts are usually more social, and introverts are often more reserved.
Introversion and extroversion aren’t fixed personality types. Rather, they exist on a spectrum. Everyone has some introverted and extroverted tendencies, although you might lean closer to one extreme than the other.
These personality traits don’t define you, but they can help you communicate and set boundaries that match your tendencies. And by reflecting on your habits and needs, you’ll also find your strengths and what you’re good at.
Introverted and extroverted traits in the workplace
No single personality type is better than another, in the workplace or otherwise. In fact, diverse workplaces with unique personality types tend to deliver more innovative ideas and work processes. Cognitive diversity shakes up team dynamics and allows the flow of more ideas.
Here are five ways that introverted and extroverted people differ in workplace settings:
1. Social interaction
Extroverts often like social gatherings like networking events, office parties, or work conventions because social interaction usually gives people who identify as extroverts energy and drives their creativity and engagement. They easily build up their professional circles and enjoy talking to coworkers or new colleagues.
Introverts usually prefer small group conversations or more controlled social situations that allow them to prepare beforehand. Contrary to introvert stereotypes, they can still excel in social settings. However, their energy may drain more quickly than an extrovert’s would, especially if an introvert feels like they’re performing.
2. Work environment
People who identify as extroverts often need environmental stimulation to maintain their energy levels. They might prefer to be surrounded by people and enjoy work environments full of stimuli and opportunities for conversation. Working from home could be challenging for extroverts who don’t enjoy downtime and quiet environments.
Introverts often feel the most comfortable alone. Noise and other external stimulation tend to overwhelm and distract them from the tasks at hand. Prolonged socializing can drain introverts’ energy reserves, even if they enjoy that socialization.
Quiet, controllable environments provide introverts with clarity and opportunities for self-reflection and creativity, making hybrid work and remote environments particularly valuable.
3. Communication and teamwork
Extroverts might like to think out loud, share ideas in the moment, and enjoy face-to-face communication, which makes them most comfortable in group work settings. While they may prefer teamwork, their instinct to command conversation can create conflict with coworkers if it feels like they aren’t listening to everyone’s voice.
Introverts usually aren’t as quick to share their thoughts. They need time to process information and draw detailed conclusions and tend to prefer nonverbal communication, like writing, to express themselves.
In group settings, they can be excellent listeners but might need proper preparation to participate fully, like receiving talking points or an agenda ahead of time.
4. Critical thinking and decision-making
Extroverts sometimes rely on other people’s opinions to steer their thinking and may struggle to make important decisions on their own. Because of this, they might make decisions at the moment without fully thinking them through.
Introverts’ inward nature makes them natural critical thinkers who consider different implications of a decision before taking a risk. They’re more likely to trust their instincts and don’t need outside direction from others to make important decisions.
5. Workflow
High-performance extroverts tackle new work promptly and are adept multitaskers. Working on a single task for too long can deplete their energy, so they often feel more comfortable moving from one idea to another and building busy, varied workdays.
Introverts usually excel when they have space for self-reflection that lets them work with intention. They perform best when they can concentrate and dedicate all their energy to working intensely and deliberately on a single task. They could feel overwhelmed and inefficient when switching from one thing to another.
Do introverts make good managers?
Introverts can be good managers — even great ones. While most people associate leadership with extroverted qualities, some of the world’s most successful entrepreneurs and leaders identify as introverts. Their empathy, problem-solving skills, and creative instincts make them thoughtful and dedicated leaders.
According to an article in the Harvard Business Review, introverts are good at leading teams of extroverts because they’re more open to listening to new ideas and encouraging self-motivated behavior. And extroverts effectively lead teams of introverts who are more dutiful and open to receiving guidance.
Successful leadership isn’t just about honing your extrovert tendencies. It’s also about understanding the types of teams that you’re best suited to lead, and how. If you feel uncomfortable speaking publicly, you can instead organize meetings with smaller groups.
If you prefer working on ideas alone, write them down and share them with your team later. You can still hone your introverted skills and use them wisely as a manager.
Develop your extrovert characteristics in the workplace
Now that you have a better understanding of what an extrovert is and how they differ from introverts, you can identify and harness your own extrovert personality traits. Here are a few steps you can take to be more extroverted at work:
1. Lean into small talk
Introverts usually enjoy deep conversations, particularly about topics they know a lot about. But small talk is an important motor to developing trust and building relationships. Casual socializing throughout the day can also be a pillar of company culture.
Rather than regarding a small talk as superficial, change your perspective about its role in your career. Chit-chat is a stepping stone to building more meaningful conversations and work relationships that lead to the kind of intentional connections that motivate you.
Seek out common ground with the people around you: ask questions about a person’s career aspirations, upcoming PTO, or positive office gossip.
2. Ask for a heads up
As an introvert, you might communicate best when you have time to reflect. While you can’t prepare for every water cooler interaction, you can request a heads-up for meetings, social events, and team-building exercises. Creating a habit of asking managers and coworkers about their expectations beforehand can make you feel more comfortable.
For example, if your manager schedules a one-on-one meeting to discuss problems with a project, ask for their notes first so that you can properly prepare your responses.
Communicating how you contribute ideas most effectively might also prompt leaders and colleagues to respond proactively. They could start letting you know the objective of a meeting before you even have to ask.
3. Take care of your energy levels
Introverts can excel in social situations when they’ve had proper downtime. If you know you’ll be in a social situation that depletes your energy, like a large group meeting or a networking event, give yourself space to rest.
Whether you’re prepping for lots of social exposure or simply feel drained in the office, take special care to understand your limits and be proactive. You can request a work-from-home day, schedule breaks, or spend some time at a nearby cafe getting work done away from coworkers.
Taking care of your mental health will help you feel energized and engaged, whether you’re meeting new groups of people or close colleagues.
4. Practice social skills you’re already good at
Many introverts are naturally empathetic and skilled listeners. Fine-tune your active listening skills, like maintaining eye contact, controlling your body language, and giving your full attention to your speaking partner. You might start the kind of deep, enriching conversations that fill you with energy.
Empathetic leadership is also a sought-after soft skill. Showing that you care for your colleagues, prioritizing their emotional safety in your interactions, and demonstrating that you’re a trusting colleague are traits that many hiring managers look for in leaders.
5. Set goals
Your best work happens when you have the space to act intentionally. Approach adopting extroverted traits with the same careful planning. Rather than pressuring yourself to become the life of the party, start with small, achievable goals.
For example, you can begin by complimenting a coworker or manager for a job well done or raising your hand to contribute an idea during a meeting. Every small step forward can help you feel more comfortable and give you the confidence you need to show more of your personality at work.
6. Respect your social battery
Pushing yourself to act against your natural personality can be draining and counterproductive. Learning to set limits can push you to try things outside your comfort zone without getting stuck in uncomfortable situations. Find what works for you — if a big networking event makes you nervous, build your network with more intimate mentoring or one-on-one networking.
For unavoidable social gatherings, set boundaries to protect your energy and avoid draining your battery. For example, commit yourself to 30 minutes at a networking event, and be open to staying longer if you feel comfortable. Giving yourself a limit — and communicating with the people around you — can help put you at ease.
7. Learn to advocate on your terms
You may avoid speaking up for yourself to avoid the spotlight, but research shows that introverts have the natural soft skills of highly skilled negotiators. While you might not have the same social fluency that pushes extroverts ahead in their careers, your ability to strategize, plan, and act intentionally can aid your professional growth and well-being.
Whether you want to negotiate a raise or land a promotion, playing into your natural skills like doing research, anticipating the needs of others, and preparing thoughtful questions can help give you the confidence you need.
The power of introversion
Thoughtful and reserved introverts bring just as much value to the workplace as their outgoing extrovert colleagues.
Your personality isn’t totally fixed, and you might already have a number of extroverted tendencies that make you a more dynamic worker. Exploring your natural strengths and using them to learn how to be more extroverted at work can help you push your career forward and leave your comfort zone.
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