When we picture a rich CEO of a big company, we rarely think of a shy person who enjoys spending time with themselves. Instead, we picture an outgoing, loud, possibly boastful person. In other words, we are taught that those who love socializing, those who aren’t afraid to express their ideas, and those who are more outwardly confident are more likely to succeed.
This idea is transmitted in many ways, whether it be adults telling us how important it is to be outgoing or when schools focus too much on students’ presentation abilities.
However, is extroversion really linked to success?
What is extroversion?
In simple terms, extroverts enjoy spending time with other people rather than spending time in solitude. They typically love teamwork, are outgoing and energized, think out loud, and recharge their energy by talking to others.
What are the pros of extroversion in the workplace?
Extroverts hold many advantages over introverts in the workplace, whether as a worker or as a manager. For instance, extroverts are capable of quickly forming relationships with their coworkers, which in turn helps them to form teams and cooperate easily in a given group.
Extroverts also tend to be more straightforward and charismatic. This also helps them establish relationships with coworkers, potential clients, and in other professional relationships.
Furthermore, extroverts communicate more easily and often participate more in team discussions since they are likely to share their ideas out loud.
Are extroverts more likely to succeed?
Yes.
If we base success on average salary, studies show that neither extroverts nor introverts earn the most. While introverts earn, on average 120 USD an hour and extroverts 125, ambiverts actually earned the most, with an average of 155 USD an hour—24 percent better than extroverts.
Ambiverts are a mix between extroverts and introverts, so it’s easy to understand why they earn the most — they possess advantages from both sides of the spectrum. However, both extroverts and ambiverts, who can display extroverted traits, are more likely to be successful than introverts.
The reason why isn’t because extroverts are better. Both extroverts and introverts have their own advantages in the workplace, and neither type of personality is better than the other.
However, extroverts are more likely to succeed because people generally think they will do better. Not because they actually will do better, but because people perceive them to be able to do better.
Furthermore, since extroverts can maintain and create better relationships, it’s easier for extroverts to find good mentors or reach out for help when they need it.
In the workplace, bosses usually favor extroverts more without realizing it. Because extroverts usually stand out more in a pool of employees and express their ideas more frequently, managers tend to offer them more opportunities.
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Extroverts certainly are capable of climbing up the ladder of success. This is mostly due to them being generally better at making connections within their industries, engaging in team discussions, and grasping the attention of others more easily than introverts.
However, being extroverted doesn’t equate with success. Both extroverts and introverts can thrive in the workplace.
If you’re an extrovert, embrace the traits you have, and make use of the advantages you may receive. But if you’re an introvert, you don’t have to force yourself to act like someone you’re not. Being an introvert also has its advantages, and only when both kinds of personalities are present in a workplace can that workplace function most effectively.
This is a very well-structured article that offers an interesting argument about the relationship between extroversion and success. I do think that extroverts are sometimes way too loud though, and they tend to talk over other people.
I never knew that ambiverts made the most money on average.
I like how Chloe mentioned the fact that “only when both kinds of personalities are present in a workplace can that workplace function most effectively.” This is very true.