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8 ‘highly coveted’ skills that set introverts apart—they’re ‘superpowers’
Introverts often grow up feeling out of place. After all, we live in a noisy, fast-paced world. But while life may seem to revolve around extroverts, the introverts’ contribution are equally important.
I’m a brand and storytelling expert, the author of “Personal Branding for Introverts,” and a speaker who’s worked with major corporations and C-level executives from LEGO, Adobe, Microsoft, and more. I’m also an introvert myself — a fact that often surprises people.
A lot of advice for introverts in the workforce says to fake extroversion to succeed — but that’s not the answer.
Introverts possess many highly coveted qualities that benefit both themselves and those around them. Here are a few of my favorite superpowers that can help introverts excel.
1. Emotional intelligence
Emotional intelligence is the ability to recognize and manage your emotions to communicate well, deal with stressful situations, empathize with others, and overcome challenges. It is the building block that allows introverts to grow healthy relationships, reach career goals, and connect with their feelings so they can make good decisions.
As introverts, we’re able to understand cues in conversations and identify people’s strengths. When we choose to interact with people, we often connect deeply with them.
2. Effective communication
Introverts are frequently labeled as quiet and shy, but these traits don’t apply to everyone. In fact, several of my introverted friends are powerful public speakers, hosts, and presenters who can easily command a room of hundreds or thousands of attendees. I’ve seen it happen!
Introverts may find icebreakers, small talk, and networking challenging, but they can have meaningful conversations with the people they’re close to. Most are good listeners, pay attention to detail, and respond admirably.
3. Independence
I believe introverts can thrive independently. Independence is different from loneliness. It reflects a fulfilled existence. Although relying on others and socializing are important parts of life, overdependence on others can hinder growth and success. In my experience, introverts often prefer to work quietly and independently to achieve their goals.
4. Creativity and active imagination
When I was very little, I liked to play in a part of the playground that had a flat hubcap. I pretended it was a cooking station and would host an imaginary food TV show using it as a prop. Introverts often enjoy getting lost in our imaginations through reading (I liked to read comics and fantasy books), writing, arts and crafts, and fantasizing.
Psychologist Hans Jürgen Eysenck has said that creativity and introversion often go hand in hand. During his acceptance speech as winner of the Nobel Prize for Literature, Ernest Hemingway said that in order for writers to produce their best work, they must spend time in solitude.
5. Self-awareness
Self-awareness is a rare skill that’s only developed through deep introspection. Research suggests that self-aware people are more self-confident, are better decision-makers, and have better relationships.
6. Deep thinking
I excelled in high school and earned a degree from a prominent university. I used deep focus to achieve success, and if I had been more interested in meeting people and going out, I’m unsure if I would have had the time or resources to accomplish these things.
In a 2012 study, Avram J. Holmes and other prominent researchers found that introverts have thicker grey matter in their prefrontal cortexes. This area of the brain is linked to abstract thought processes and decision-making, which helps explain why introverts, like myself, spend so much time thinking. Introverts often enjoy spending time alone, which gives them the freedom and space to think deeply and come up with new insights and ideas.
7. Problem-solving
Introverts are naturally great problem-solvers, with an innate ability to consider and process multiple solutions while identifying potential pitfalls. They can frequently see the broader perspective, synthesize information from multiple sources, and connect the hidden dots of a problem, ultimately reaching a clear solution.
8. Great leadership
It’s a common misconception that leadership positions are better suited for extroverts. But introverts possess many characteristics that make them highly effective and compassionate leaders.
Compassion helps develop trust, loyalty, and rapport among team members. Empathy allows them to tune in to the needs and emotions of others. And deep understanding from leaders fosters a welcoming environment where team members feel appreciated, valued, and supported.
Goldie Chan is a creative, keynote speaker, author, and cancer survivor. She was named the “Oprah of LinkedIn” by Huffington Post and her creative video channel won LinkedIn Top Voice for Social Media. In 2018, Goldie founded Warm Robots, an award-winning social media strategy and creative agency based in Los Angeles with global clients. She wrote a column for Forbes and writes for Archie Comics. She is the author of “Personal Branding for Introverts.”
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