Focus Magazine - Summer 2016 - (Page 36)

LEADERSHIP/MANAGEMENTDEVELOPMENT The Power of Quiet: Debunking the Myths ■ By Kate Earle, Ph.D Some of the most memorable leaders are introverts. W hen it comes to personality, experts tend to see eye to eye on very little - with one exception. e majority of psychologists agree that introversion/ extroversion is one of the most important aspects of personality. It influences how people make decisions, approach risk, communicate, collaborate, and resolve conflict. One psychologist went so far as to call it the "north and south of temperament." e experts are in alignment but the rest of us tend to have very divergent views. ese views are influenced by persistent misconceptions about what it means to be an introvert or an extrovert and the unique capabilities of each style - especially in the workplace. In her New York Times best seller Quiet: e Power of Introverts in a World at Can't Stop Talking, Susan Cain challenged many of those misconceptions and shed light on the needs and strengths of introverts. Below are five common myths her research debunked. 1. Introverts are shy and antisocial. Search for the definition of an introvert and you're sure to find a description of a shy, reticent person. is definition is dangerously misleading. No doubt some introverts are naturally shy but extroverts can actually be shy too! 2. Extroverts make the best leaders. Wrong again. Some of the most memorable leaders are introverts. People like Bill Gates, Steve Wozniak and Warren Buﬀet all excel as leaders because of their quiet temperament, not in spite of it. When introverts draw on their natural strengths as leaders they oen deliver even better outcomes than extroverts. 3. The diﬀerence between introverts and extroverts is where they get their energy. While not completely inaccurate, energy is only a metaphor for what is happening neurobiologically. e fact is that introverts and extroverts are wired diﬀerently. Introverts have a nervous system that reacts more to all forms of stimulation so they tend to seek less stimulating experiences. Extroverts are exactly the opposite and react less to stimulation so they oen intentionally seek it out. introvert or... 36 4. Being quiet means you have nothing to say. ere is zero correlation between the FOCUS | SUMMER 2016 | www.L-TEN.org http://www.L-TEN.org

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Focus Magazine - Summer 2016

Focus Magazine
From the President: Training, Leaders & Collaboration
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Guest Editor: LTEN: What's in a Legacy?
Directions: Celebrating 45 Years of Enthusiasm
Front of the Room: Calling Audibles
Neuroscience: The Science of User Experience
LTEN at 45: Community, Clarity and Careers
How to Train the 'Creepy' Out of Closing
Creating the Value Proposition for Mentoring
Creating the Next Generation of Life Sciences Learning
The Power of Quiet: Debunking the Myths
Mobile-Friendly vs. Mobile-First
What Kid's Soccer Teaches You About Selling
Virtual How: Instructor-Led Virtual Classrooms
Ad Index
Focus Contacts
5 Questions with DJ Mitsch

Focus Magazine - Summer 2016