Introverts and Extroverts are rather different in the way they think, feel and do things. It is not a bad thing as an effective team should consist of people of a variety. Looking beyond the conflicts and differences, how can everyone work together to achieve the eventual goals?
Describing Introverts and Extroverts
Introverts
Introverts enjoy quiet and private spaces so that they can immerse themselves in their thoughts. They generally tend not to enjoy a great amount of socializing and hence be viewed as cold and emotionless. However, they enjoy having a small group of friends as they value deeper relationships. Many of times, introverts listen before they speak. They will observe, take in information and analyse before they speak.
Extroverts
Extroverts like to talk out their thoughts and therefore they are viewed as to be more expressive. Hence, people usually find them easier to approach as compared to introverts. Extroverts are energized by social gatherings. However, extroverts are filled with so much enthusiasm that at times they speak before they listen, resulting in the conversation to be viewed as shallow.
Getting Them to Work Together
An interview done by Forbes with Jennifer Kahnweiler, Ph.D., best-selling author and global keynote speaker known as the “Champion of Introverts”, shared a strategy that is as easy as ABCDE.
A = Accept the Alien
Since you can’t change the way someone think, feel and act, you can only control how you want to react to the situation. By taking a step back and trying to understand your opposite, you might feel less frustrated and start to see the good in them.
B = Bring on the Battles
Start to see differences and conflicts from another perspective. A healthy level of conflict is necessary within a team to challenge each other to come out with a better solution. It is essential to embrace the strengths of each other to complete the tasks. Generally, introverts and extroverts are complementary personalities when working well together.
C = Cast the Character
This means that if an introvert is being a researcher for a project, don’t find fault in him/her for taking some time to analyse the information. Likewise, if an extrovert is taking on a role of being a presenter, don’t feel annoyed by him/her talking too much. After all, the team needs to tap on everyone’s strengths in order to make things work.
D = Destroy the Dislike
After going through steps mentioned above from A to D, there should be some form of basic understanding between the opposites. If there are any dislikes, it should’ve been removed by now. If possible, be friends and have fun together!
E = Each Can’t Offer Everything
After all, you can’t say being an introvert is better than an extrovert or vice versa. In an effective team setting, one can’t offer everything. Likewise, it is not wise to have one personality type to dominate the whole team.
At the end of the day, when opposites work together, the outcome and growth will often be better than what you think it will be.
Kingfisher Recruitment Group is a global provider of total recruitment solutions. We help clients design people strategies, attract and develop talents worldwide across Healthcare & Life Sciences, Professional Services, Technology, Retail & Consumer, Manufacturing, Automotive, Property & Construction and Engineering industries.
