Topic: Management: Extroverts vs. Introverts

Introduction

There is often a debate on which personality type (extrovert or introvert) would be ideal for management positions in a typical company.

Depending on who you ask, people generally have mixed opinions regarding this topic.

There are people who believe extroverts make good managers while there are others who would hastily point out that introverts make great managers.

The truth of the matter is, there is no way of knowing if being an extrovert or an introvert makes a person ideally suited for a shot at management.

However, there are certain traits exhibited by both personalities that are ideal for management.

This article looks at some of the character traits exhibited by both personalities and how they could help them become pretty good managers.

Extroverts are Social Animals!

Extroverts are known to be outgoing, bubbly and fun people. They are seen as the life of an occasion if you like.

They have very good social skills and are not shy in making new friends. They have an infectious personality that can inspire and drive teams.

These traits are all great to have and from experience, we are drawn to hiring individuals with this sort of personality, especially in the field of marketing and sales.

The character traits of extroverts as mentioned above are really great strengths if you want to lead a team towards a common goal.

People are drawn to extroverts like ants to sugar and this can help when you want to effectively communicate your corporate objectives.

Sentiment is a weakness in Management

Extroverts also tend to have a few weaknesses. One of such weaknesses is in being too emotionally attached. In business there are always going to be periods when hard decisions have to be taken by managers (that's their job after all).

When a manager is too sentimentally attached to say co-workers and he/she has to lay them off for example or take decisions that would adversely affect them. Such an extroverted manager may go with his/her heart rather than their head.

This is a weakness in management and not necessarily a moral weakness. But still in business, success is often measured by fine margins. Morality takes the back burner while ethics prevail.

Introverts are silent Achievers

Introverts may not appear to be lively and outspoken characters, especially in the workplace. But this does not mean that they do not have leadership strengths. Introverts are known to be great listeners. This is a skill-set that all great managers have.

From the outside people tend to believe that great leaders must have charisma and charm. While this is a valid point, it is not always the case. Leaders and captains of industry like Bill Gates are not your typical extroverted characters, they are reserved, but still very effective managers.

While introverts may be perceived as “boring” by some people, they do have strengths that cannot be ignored. Introverts tend to be critical thinkers and analytical.

They seem to observe others from a distance and often notice things quicker and better than extroverts. A drop in the performance of a sales team member for example, may be overlooked by extroverts, but not an introvert.

Introverts tend to separate business from pleasure better than extroverts. This may make them appear cold and detached, but it actually helps in ensuring that performance levels and standards do not drop off.

An introvert would take decisions that are in the best interest of their company. And this also applies to extroverts. But in the case of introverts, sentiment plays little or no part in their decision taking. This is a great trait to have if you are to succeed in management.

In Conclusion;

At Power Draw Consulting, we believe that everyone has core strengths as well as weaknesses. What is important is for those strengths to be amplified while the weaknesses are acknowledged, but subdued.

When hiring people to fill management positions at different companies, we have noticed that the best managers are not necessarily determined by whether they are extroverts or introverts.

What we at Power Draw Consulting have found out, is that everyone has unique strengths which stand them out as prime candidates for middle to top management positions. What matters above all is how these strengths can be harnessed for the betterment of the hiring company.

Indeed, everyone also has weaknesses and unlike their strengths, these drawbacks would have to be limited and controlled so that they are not detrimental to the goals of the business.

Note: You too can get to know what your peculiar management strengths are. Visit https://www.gallup.com/cliftonstrengths/en/252137/home.aspx today to find out.