How to Thrive in an Extroverted World.

• Author: McClure, Megan

It's hard for introverts to bring ideas to the table when they'd prefer to hide underneath it, Betsy Haugen, a legislative librarian from Minnesota, told a crowded session at the Summit in Nashville last summer. "Introverts can learn ways of presenting ideas, and managers can learn how to incorporate introverts into the office culture, without too much stress on all involved," she said.

Haugen was joined in a panel discussion on introverts in the workplace by Matt Gehring, staff coordinator with the Minnesota House Research Department, and legislative librarians Eddie Weeks of Tennessee and Catherine Wusterhausen of Texas.

Too often introverts are thought simply to be shy or anxious people. But introversion is more complex and nuanced than that. It's a personality trait an estimated 25% to 50% of people are born with. You'll find a wide range of personalities and characteristics along the introvert-extrovert continuum.

In general, however, introverts prefer calm, quiet environments and space they can call their own. They often enjoy socializing, but find it tiring. While extroverts gain energy by being around groups of people, introverts expend energy in those situations; they gain it back by spending time alone with hobbies, books or long hikes.

Introverts tend to value a few close relationships, and may appear more aloof and harder to get to know than extroverts. Introverts often prefer to learn by observation rather than experience. They tend to process things internally and sometimes need time to think before responding to a question or expressing an opinion. They can also be very creative, with a talent for thinking outside the box.

Finally, introverts tend to do better in jobs that require working independently than in those that require collaboration and teamwork. But in many American workplaces, including legislatures, extroverts are more highly valued and rewarded since teamwork and collaboration are promoted and encouraged.

What's an introvert to do?

"Let's face it, most workplaces are built by and for extroverts," Weeks said. "But we introverts can be valued members of that workplace as well. It just takes us a little longer to contribute, and our contributions might be a little bit quieter, and we might make it awkward for everyone around us."

Tips for Introverts

* Find the right job for you. Many legislative staff jobs require researching, drafting, editing, indexing or archiving--all introvert-friendly tasks. If you are...