#382 How introverts and extroverts work better together
Jan 16, 2024
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Learn from the hosts' experiences and observations on introversion and extroversion, and how to leverage these combinations in teams. Explore social dynamics between introverts and extroverts, including interesting WhatsApp conversations. Discover strategies for improving working relationships and leveraging personality traits for productivity and collaboration.
Introverts and extroverts can work better together by acknowledging their differences and leveraging their complementary strengths.
Self-awareness and avoiding stereotypes are crucial in understanding introversion and extroversion, and individuals should define these preferences for themselves.
Deep dives
Understanding the dynamics of introverts and extroverts working together
The podcast episode delves into the challenges and benefits of introverts and extroverts collaborating effectively. The hosts, Helen and Sarah, share their own experiences as an introvert and extrovert, and how they have developed their partnership by being intentional and thoughtful. They emphasize that most workplaces have a mix of introverts, extroverts, and ambiverts and highlight the importance of self-awareness. Working well together, introverts and extroverts can bring different strengths and achieve a better balance. The episode also addresses potential friction in introvert-extrovert relationships and provides insights on how to constructively navigate them.
Understanding introversion and extroversion in the workplace
The podcast explores the basic definitions of introversion and extroversion and emphasizes that they are about handling stimulation rather than just where one gets their energy. Introverts tend to recharge solo or in small groups, while extroverts recharge in the company of others and often enjoy larger groups. The hosts caution against making assumptions and encourage individuals to define what introversion or extroversion means to them personally. They emphasize the importance of self-awareness and understanding how these preferences show up in different situations.
Recognizing introvert and extrovert traits
The hosts discuss the specific introvert and extrovert traits they observe in each other. For introverts, they note traits such as reflection, thoughtfulness, fewer but deeper relationships, discomfort with large groups, and distinct behaviors in small group versus social situations. Extroverts are highlighted for radiating energy in a room, finding pleasure in socializing, blurring work relationships with friendships, and being good listeners. They caution against assuming all introverts or extroverts are the same and emphasize the importance of self-identification and avoiding stereotypes.
Practical strategies for better collaboration
The episode concludes with three actionable ideas to improve introvert-extrovert collaboration. The first idea is "you me we," which involves identifying key categories where differences show up, acknowledging the benefits of working together, and finishing the statement "together we will be able to." The second idea is to notice what works and add beneficial traits or behaviors to one's own approach without trying to be someone else. The third idea, called "beyond the lookout," encourages proactive identification of opportunities to share introversion or extroversion skills to benefit others in work situations. The hosts provide examples and suggest seeking input from others to recognize one's strengths.
This week, Helen and Sarah are tackling a topic that's close to home. Having worked together for over 10 years, Helen and Sarah have learnt to bring their opposite profiles together to increase the impact of their work. It might not always have been easy, but over time they have learnt how much more effective they are when they bring the best of their introvert and extrovert tendencies together. Listen and learn from their ideas on how to approach 'you/me/we' work and the benefit of noticing what works well for other people with different profiles.