Introverts are generally considered “quiet” people who get more energy from being alone than socializing with large groups.
These traits can sometimes keep them from getting ahead financially in a job market that often seems to favor extroverts, but they also possess vital skills that put them ahead of others.
Here are 16 skills that showcase precisely why being an introvert in an extroverted world is an incredible asset in the workplace.
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Knowing how to collaborate with a group is an essential aspect of most jobs, but so is taking the time to perform independent work that benefits the team as a whole.
Introverts often excel at the heads-down, individually directed work that ensures a project can succeed based on the strength of its parts.
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2. Empathetic
Plenty of extroverts and ambiverts are deeply empathetic, but introverts tend to observe and hang back by nature, which can give them extra insights into a person’s worries, habits, likes, and dislikes.
Their attention to detail, coupled with their quieter, more introspective personalities, can help them empathize with other team members, forge strong team relationships, and curate a compassionate company culture.
3. Less distracted by socializing
For many introverts, there’s nothing more painful than small talk. Most would rather maximize their solo work time than waste the day on unhelpful work gossip — which means more work gets done and the most toxic aspects of workplace chatter are avoided.
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4. Insightful
Brainstorming sessions and other work meetings are crucial places for collaboration. Still, they can quickly descend into inefficient time wasters when too many half-formed opinions get tossed out at once.
Enter the introvert, who only tends to speak up once they’ve mulled over an idea or if they feel strongly about a perspective.
As a result, their insights are often more concise and thought-out, which speeds meetings along and can help teams get to the heart of an issue faster.
5. Internally motivated
Most people enjoy being recognized for their efforts, and introverts are no exception. However, introverts are often internally motivated, not externally motivated.
They push themselves to do their best without relying on constant external validation from co-workers and managers.
Of course, this trait means managers might need to pay extra attention to their introverted direct reports to ensure they’re getting the recognition they deserve.
At the same time, it also means managers don’t need to worry about an introvert running out of steam if they don’t receive a steady diet of praise.
6. Work with little oversight
Just as they don’t need too much attention and praise to excel at work, self-driven introverts also tend to perform well without much micromanaging.
Thanks to their keen attention to detail and intense internal drive to succeed, introverts can produce exceptional work without requiring constant coaching and check-ins from their managers.
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Since they don’t seek out social contact in the same way as extroverts, introverts can be unfairly labeled as not being team players, which can make it hard for them to move beyond living paycheck to paycheck .
However, introverts don’t tend to speak without thinking, aren’t driven by a need for external validation, and are attuned to others’ feelings. That makes them ideal partners in any collaborative workplace effort.
8. Take time to find real solutions
Rather than rushing to find quick-fix solutions to complex problems, introverts prefer to fully contemplate a thorny issue until they land on a clear, well-thought-out answer.
While this means introverts might not be as quick to think on their feet, it makes them invaluable when tackling long-term, systemic issues.
9. Innovative
Introverts tend to spend much more time inside their heads instead of constantly engaging with others.
By standing a bit apart from the crowd, introverts can come up with out-of-the-box, creative solutions that push the boundaries of traditional thought.
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While introverts shy away from small talk, they’re often excellent listeners regarding crucial conversations. They listen and observe more than they talk, so they don’t redirect conversations to make them entirely about themselves.
Instead, they can provide valuable insights and compassionate empathy that ensures the person talking feels understood and truly heard.
11. Compassionate people managers
As fantastic listeners and helpful collaborators, introverts can be excellent people managers who draw out the best in their direct reports.
In many work situations, they may be better equipped than extroverts to notice and smooth over tensions between teams or employees.
Plus, introverts can find unique and comprehensive solutions to long-standing team issues by listening, paying attention to details, and thinking creatively.
12. Clear communicators
Generally speaking, introverts communicate clearly, compassionately, and with a good deal of attention to the other person — especially when they have the time to think through a response in writing.
While not all introverts are great at speaking off the cuff, they often come across as very polite and straightforward when given time to think through and write down what they want to say.
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Introverts don’t like to waste time at work; idle office gossip generally counts as a massive (and judgmental) waste of time.
Perhaps more important, though, introverts don’t like to make snap decisions. They’d rather think through complex issues on their own time and consider diverse perspectives.
This instinct means they avoid knee-jerk reactions that can heighten office tensions and play into office politics.
14. Offer invaluable team insights
While steering clear of office politics themselves, introverts’ intense attention to detail can help them pick up on underlying tensions that higher-ups might not notice.
Based on their empathetic observations, introverts can offer insightful, long-term solutions that help resolve dysfunctions without blaming one party over another.
15. Work well away from the office
In a world where remote work has become common, it makes sense for companies to invest in employees who can thrive even when they aren’t in a traditional office environment. Remote companies should consider hiring more introverts.
Introverts do best when they can work independently without the distractions of an open floor plan. As long as they have the tools to do their jobs from home, introverts can maintain high productivity no matter how far from the office they need to work.
Bottom line
As a hiring manager, it’s worth spending a bit more time recruiting introverts for specific roles, especially roles requiring strict attention to detail, creative problem-solving skills, and compassion.
And if you’re an introvert looking for ways to make extra money , don’t give up on interviews, even if you keep getting turned down by hiring committees. You have a great set of strengths that will benefit any employer who is insightful enough to make you an offer.
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