There are many typologies that help you understand why people in specific situations behave in certain ways. The division into introverts and extraverts is just one of these types. Each of them is different. So how should you manage them in order for your efforts to achieve the maximum desired effect? Learn to perceive the individual characteristics of your subordinates and anticipate their reactions. An article on this subject appeared recently on the Business 2 Community website.
Introverts: thoughtful analysts
Introverted types have a much better understanding of information and numbers than of people. Social interaction means nothing to them; they prefer exact facts, which they try to grasp and apply in practice. Do not be surprised, therefore, if you fail to impress them with some fast talking at meetings. In addition, they need some thinking time in order to formulate answers.
So provide essential information in a clear presentation and allow them a moment to absorb the facts. Or you might consider sending documents for presentations in advance: at least then they will have time to prepare comments.
- Listeners are introvert types who easily become passive listeners when a presentation becomes uninteresting or irrelevant for them. Make sure the information you provide will be maximally usable for them and straight to the point.
- Participants tend to ask a lot of questions during or after the presentation. But do not expect them to be teeming with enthusiasm for your presentation, although the content may be relevant for them. So be prepared to answer their questions and do not be caught off guard.
Extraverts: talkative debaters
Extraverts tend to think while speaking. They appreciate any good story which may be shared, and all in all they love conversation and the company of other people.
Surprise them with topics and questions that will stimulate their thinking and test their creativity. Be prepared that they will occasionally interrupt your speech and leave time for inspirational discussion after the presentation.
• Debaters easily draw attention to themselves and start discussions about their own vision, projects or experiences with the rest of the audience. It is good to have such extravert types at a presentation but ensure that you keep control over their activity.
• Storytellers have a similar problem to debaters. They also draw energy from interaction with others. Their goal is to mingle and they want to talk about practically everything. Do not let them lead you off topic; control the flow of discussion.
As already indicated at the beginning of this article, the introversion-extraversion model is not the only one for determining a person's character. There are other types such as the Myers -Briggs typological Indicator (MBTI), which combines even other models and answers questions like: How do people receive information? How do they make decisions? What position do they occupy in the outside world?
Do you know what kind of people you have in your team? And what type of person are you yourself? Try to evaluate your own personality here or here.
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