Characteristics of Introverted Personalities:

• Each interaction with the outside environment is a transaction requiring one to "exit" one's home base and "enter" alien territory
• During interaction with the outside environment, will check in frequently with the home base to evaluate potential conflict or alignment between the inner and outer worlds (may be perceived by others as "checking out")
• After extended periods of time engaged with outside environment, will need to withdraw back into oneself to process experiences and recharge one's batteries

Characteristics of Extraverted Personalities:

• The boundaries between the environment and the self are porous; the personality is integrated with the environment, not a separate entity
• Highly aware of what is going on in the external environment; stays engaged and present with the ebb and flow of conversation and events in the environment; may not know what they are thinking or feeling without talking aloud
• Engagement with people, events and objects in the environment generates life-giving energy; without such engagement, the extravert will lose motivation

Success Story #1

Whenever his boss worked behind closed doors, Jerry suspected the worst. "She's up to something," he would whisper to his co-workers. Or, "She's so aloof. And never available to us."

After attending the Forward Focus training on the difference between extraversion and introversion, Jerry looked at his boss with new eyes. Now when the boss goes behind closed doors, Jerry says, "She needs some time to recharge. Or to stay focused on an important project. I need some of her time and attention, so I need to schedule an appointment."

(Because the boss had also taken the training, she began to set up regular office hours when the door was open and she was available for interruption. And she established ground rules about when it was appropriate and not appropriate to knock on her door when it was closed.)

Success Story #2

Connie's working relationship with her co-workers was a source of frustration to her. At team meetings, they kept up a steady stream of chatter and whenever she tried to contribute, they talked over her. During one-on-one conversations, Connie was careful to listen to everything the other person had to say. But when it was her turn to speak, her co-workers interrupted and began to comment before Connie was finished laying out her ideas.

After attending Forward Focus training, Connie recognized that her extraverted co-workers had a different communication pattern, unaware that they were "breaking the rules." The team worked together to document norms for communication during team meetings, respecting Connie's preference for sequential communication. And Connie eventually learned how to enter into the "dance" of the extraverts' back and forth communication. She accepted their interruptions as a compliment, recognizing that they were interested in her ideas and wanted to demonstrate interest by discussing them aloud.

Reflection

What is your own preference -- introversion or extraversion? How does this impact your relationships with others? How does it work for or against your effectiveness in the work environment?

In what ways do you judge someone with the opposite preference, interpreting their actions as wrong because they are different?

How can you work to bridge these differences, working out norms that are mutually beneficial to all parties (and which are most appropriate for the type of work you and your team do)?

Take Action

Would you like to learn more about the MBTI (Myers-Briggs) and how you can use its insights to become a more effective coach, trainer or change agent?

Introducing a New Forward Focus Webinar Series for Coaches & HR Practitioners

Transformational Change:
Using MBTI for Coaching Effectiveness

What:
A 4-Session Webinar series applying the Myers-Briggs Personality Type Indicator to real-time coaching and change management challenges. Led by Margaret Morgan Maat, Forward Focus' Managing Partner

When:
Wednesdays in April at 7:30 pm ET/6:30 pm CT
April 1, 15, 22 & 29, 2009

Who:
Coaches, trainers, HR professionals, OD professionals and change agents. Requires a baseline knowledge of the MBTI (Myers-Briggs)

Investment:
$159 for 4 sessions

How:
Call 973-785-3474 to pay by credit card or

Send a check to:
Forward Focus
26 Park Street, Suite 2012
Montclair, NJ 07042

Upon receipt of your payment, we will send you an invitation to the Webinar and the course handouts.

Copyright 2009 Forward Focus