Raise your hands…. Who else identifies as an introvert?
Recently this “introvert” affiliation has come up in many conversations with a variety of people, in various situations. Most recent of which was a conversation with a fellow leader who also identifies as just of a strong introvert as me, a leader who graduated from the same cohort of a local health leaders fellows’ program as me.
We recently reconnected, realized that we live in the same town, and both like to walk. We decided to meet up for a sunrise “netwalk” (networking while walking) and shared 5 miles of conversation- during which we both shared we are career-wise, what our current focus areas are, and enthusiastically explored ways to support each other. (PSA- nature is an amazing agent of creativity, innovation and solution-building!)
At some point in our conversation, we hit upon “introvert”. We both quickly reflected back to our first fellow’s program retreat at which our Myers-Briggs personality (if you’re not familiar- check it out- for understanding yourself and those in your personal and professional circles: https://www.myersbriggs.org/my-mbti-personality-type/the-mbti-preferences/) preferences were revealed, recalling the “strong introvert” status we shared (and actually, both INFJ’s). Bam! Immediate appreciation and bonding when you find someone who understands the experiences and life as a strong introvert! Right? My fellow strong introverts?
We proceeded to exchange just how surprising it is for those around us who describe us both as “so social”, “so friendly”, “so engaging”, and so “networky”- it’s hard for them to believe we are introverts. They have no appreciation of the energy, the recharge and the recuperation that’s required after high volumes of socializing and networking.
As we re-discovered our appreciation of one another’s “I”ness, and a feeling of understood and validated, it made me think about so many of us who’ve sat for too long contemplating, wondering, questioning and perhaps criticizing ourselves for not being like others or believing others’ perceptions/labels of or criticisms of us- “anti-social”, “uninterested”, “quiet”, “snobby”, “uncaring”, or “stuck up”.
I recall once having a leader who mocked me and made me feel like there was something wrong with me because I was not the strong extrovert that he is. Thankfully I’d built my strength and confidence as a woman leader, and faced his insensitivity and misogynism with resilience- I didn’t succumb to equating leadership as being like him/a strong extrovert or getting down on myself. Otherwise potentially damaging for less experienced professionals, I prevailed.
How about you, my fellow introverts- what proud moments do you have staying true to who you are amidst the adversity of those who’ve seemed to judge/criticize you?