Let’s all roll a tire, shall we? Introverts are naturally more independent and often radiate while working on solo projects. Shocking, right? My thoughts are comparable to one big wheel being rolled along with a stick. I push “it” along the pavement, and it rolls swiftly, no one really hears it coming, alas, it comes. With time to build up momentum, my thoughts can roll out swiftly and confidently. Smooth delivery and smooth intention. But then, wait! There’s a big stone looming ahead! It’s blocking my smooth, paved path. It’s too late to stop and the rock is too close now! The wheel wobbles upon impact and spins out of control rapidly, until it crashes into the tree off the paved road, falling onto its side with a dramatic close.
Some people flourish in a large team setting, feeding off each other’s energy and collaborating ideas. I personally dread all the group brain storming, team building mumbo jumbo. More often than not, in those settings I’m focused on listening to everyone else. It is after all, what I do “best”. If forced to contribute on a whim, I usually wobble through my words, spin out of focus half way through and conclude with a nice, embarrassing “fall” to close my elegant contribution. I walk away from the brainstorming session, with ideas whizzing around within my head (now, finally). I grab my pencil and pad to write my better late than never thoughts down in an “orderly fashion” and make some sense of it. I make a list, weigh things out, edit some wording to have clear-cut intention, then consider if these ideas are deemed worthy of sending out to the team or my manager. This is why one great way of doing things, is not the best way of doing things. It will never work for everyone. We can’t have only one process for planning ideas or sharing suggestions. We need to have options.
For us introverts who do our best thinking alone and for those extroverts who feed off others energy. And those of us who brainstorm best alone shouldn’t be faulted for thinking of those marvelous ideas after the meeting. But more often than not, we are. It’s an extrovert’s world and we’re just “rolling a wheel” in it.
I think it’s a companies biggest gain to consider the potential value of each contributor regardless of how ideas are presented either verbally in a group meeting or after by a memorandum or email. Our “mojo” when it comes to ideas is unique to each person and many times solitude can be the catalyst for creativity. Studies have shown that solitude promotes a positive cognitive state. Introverts bring an invaluable asset because they don’t shoot from the hip or quick to blow their horn. They are better listeners thereby more focused and observant which leads to deeper insights and productive solutions. Btw, I like your tire on the road analogy, that was great.
I appreciate your insight, Steve!! Such good points and very well said! 🙂
Thanks for reading!!