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The Student News Site of Buena Vista University

The Tack Online

The Student News Site of Buena Vista University

The Tack Online

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Search The Tack
Stunts first home competition
Stunt's first home competition
March 22, 2024
When I arrived, to my surprise, a Piper Archer II had just landed and way taxiing back to the hangers.
Sunday's pit stop: A gallery by Joshua Tigges
March 2, 2024
A shot at partnership: BVU and Mercy College launch 3 + 1 nursing program
A shot at partnership: BVU and Mercy College launch 3 + 1 nursing program
March 1, 2024
Hot Dish literary magazine submissions open
Hot Dish literary magazine submissions open
February 23, 2024

Embrace differences, don’t ‘fix’ the introvert

Embrace+differences%2C+dont+fix+the+introvert

Kevin Coriolan | News Editor

Businesses are looking for potential employees who market themselves as outgoing, showy, and loud. At least, that is what seems to be the case in today’s culture.

In a room of people, the one who is the life of the party is probably the most talked about among others the next day. However, the one on the side, the one who connects with others individually and may not demand attention, is the true memorable one.

After self-identifying as an introvert for a large chunk of my life, I have been searching for the benefits of being an introvert, the minority (1 out of 3 people are introverted). (The Power of Introverts) This is difficult because introverts are often times associated with being shy which is then linked to being socially afraid. Shyness, or being bashful, happens when one person avoids company. This is what people see and it is the true meaning of shyness.

Similarly, people see introverts as avoiding company. But those who are introverted do not avoid; they just prefer to function alone or in a small group of people. Over and over again, research has shown that, as The Atlantic’s Jonathon Rauch (Caring for your Introvert) says, “Introverts are people who find other people tiring.” They use energy when with people and recharge when they are alone.

Shyness was a trait that I carried as a young child in elementary school when I found it difficult to even talk to my aunts and uncles. But nowadays, I believe that my social skills are developed more than the average college student. This probably has come from my communication studies foundation and experiences in clubs on campus, but I still find myself wanting time alone or trading large group get-togethers for deep one-on-one discussions. It is my natural tendency to excel in an introverted environment.

College students who may be introverted should realize this so they do not become an over-used washrag. Constantly pretending to be an extrovert is itself mentally exhausting. Student organizations can learn from this by perhaps dividing up groups to a smaller scale while keeping the organization’s mission intact. Written suggestions and ideas can also be a way for introverts to easily voice opinions during a meeting. And if someone is eating alone in the servery, do not immediately feel sorry for him or her. That lunchtime could finally be the period of the day or week that is free of social activity. Introverts should not have to be extroverted.

Swiss psychiatrist Carl Jung who proposed the concepts in the early 1900’s (How to be Successful at Everything) said, “There is no such thing as a pure introvert or extrovert. Such a person would be in the lunatic asylum.” Anybody can get worn-out when the crowd is too big or the room is too loud. This goes to show that introversion and extroversion are the extremes of the spectrum.

None of this is to say that extroverts are not good or beneficial to a business or group of friends. They are the ones who inspire and motivate by their mere presence. Also, it is important to be well-rounded; attending a liberal arts university has taught me this. Knowing the other allows introverts and extroverts to work together and learn from each other.

Writer, speaker, and introvert-activist Susan Cain says, “Some people fall smack in the middle of the introvert-extrovert spectrum and we call these people ambiverts. I often think that they have the best of all worlds.” (The Power of Introverts 2) Cain has recently been a spark to the introvert revolution that is inspiring corporations and educational institutes to offer introvert-friendly practices.

In a world that praises the bold and honors the aggressive, introverts may feel the need to change who they are instead of working to their strengths. The potential that the introverted have should be encouraged for the benefit for them and others. As I am still trying to figure out what my social orientation is, I encourage others to discover their personalities and the potential that comes from that realization.

Graphic by Kevin Coriolan

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    Joan CurbowFeb 27, 2014 at 9:24 am

    This book was just recommended, so I’m sharing the information: Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking by Susan Cain

    Reply