EXTROVERTS
HOW YOU KNOW IF YOU’RE AN EXTROVERT
• You’re quick to share your thoughts, feelings and ideas
• You prefer brainstorming in large groups and
communicating verbally
• You find it easiest to recharge your batteries when
you’re with other people
• You make decisions quickly
• You love getting attention
STRENGTHS
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Talking to people and making connections
Verbal communication
Accepting of change
Find it easy to adapt
Work well to tight deadlines
Work well under pressure
Think well on their feet
WEAKNESSES
• Distracted easily
• Can voice opinions without thinking about how they
might make others feel
• Can be quick to judge
• Their need to be social and talkative can be off-
putting for more introverted group members
TIPS FOR EXTROVERTS WHEN
WORKING WITH INTROVERTS
1. Put your strengths to good use by making everyone in
the group feel comfortable and confident enough to
share their opinions. Try to encourage the introverts
in the group to voice their thoughts and opinions by
reinforcing that it’s a safe and collaborative space,
but don’t force them or make a big deal out of the
situation if they say they have nothing to add.
2. Extroverts are natural decision makers, so be conscious
of rushing the group’s progress before the introverts
have had time to think about their contributions.
Instead, suggest a mini follow-up meeting or recap
em ail to finalise the decision.
3. You’ll need to be patient with your introverted
group members. If you have a concern about their
contribution, don’t address it in front of the group. Pull
them aside at the end of the meeting and talk to them
one-on-one or consider a text message or email to
give them time to re-read and process your message
before responding.
Sources:
ConnectUS, ‘6 advantages and disadvantages of being an extrovert’.
E Morgan, ‘How to connect with extroverts’, QuietRev.
T Klosowski, ‘Let’s quit it with the introvert/extrovert nonsense’, QuietRev.
Career assessment site, ‘Best careers for introverts and extroverts’.
The secret to working together successfully and
creating an end result to be proud of is learning
how to embrace each other’s differences and work
together effectively. Here is some information to
help you do just that (information I wish I’d had at
my fingertips when I was at uni to convince me not
to avoid this opportunity!). being either, and most people exist somewhere
on a continuum. The key to working together
successfully is to understand each other’s strengths
and weaknesses and be willing to work with
different personality types. Still not sure whether
you’re an introvert or an extrovert? Take this quiz
to find out
The most important thing to remember when
working on a group assignment with both
introverts and extroverts is to respect each
other’s differences. There’s nothing wrong with For more advice on how to nail your next group
work assignment, check out these 15 effective
tips or, for a bit of fun, the top 5 excuses to
avoid group work.
WORDS: Emma Profke
IMAGES: Shutterstock
The views put forward in this
alumni submission are those of the
contributor and are not an official
statement of the University of
Southern Queensland.