Myths about introverts.

The term introvert seems to be everywhere and YouTube is no exception. Since Susan Cain introduced her book Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a world that can't stop talking the term has become quite popular on the net and elsewhere.

It was with interest that I saw this video the other day and I thought that I would give my analysis of the contents. So without further ado, The Top 5 Dumb Myths about Introverts.

1. Introverts don't make good leaders

Of course they do. Don't doubt it for a minute. Most people think of leaders as these gung-ho people who give Braveheart like inspiring speeches and tell people to follow them into battle. This is true and of course there are leaders like this but introverts are more understated. They will allow their more extroverted colleagues to get out there into the battlefields of the market place and allow them to do their stuff. The introverted leader will be the one in the background pulling the strings while the extroverted colleagues are out selling and schmoozing and wining and dining the client. The introverted leader realises that is what the extroverted person is good at.


2. Introverts are smarter than extroverts

Personality has nothing to do with intellect. One of the smartest people I know is a raving extrovert. He is still partying when all of the introverts are in the car fighting traffic just wanting to get home as soon as possible. There are intelligent extroverts and there are intelligent introverts and there are bonehead extroverts and bonehead introverts.


3. Introverts always want to be alone

Not true at all. Sure, an introverted person likes to be alone sometimes and they don't mind shutting themselves at home on a Saturday night to 'Netflix and chill' but they do like to socialise with close friends and family. This is different from the people who socially withdraw from society. These kinds of people don't want any interaction from anyone, including family.


4. Introverts don't like people

This video has hit the nail on the head. Introverts love people we just don't have hundreds and hundreds of friends and as the video says we just don't like to have superficial conversations. It seems a big waste of time to an introverted person.


5. Introverts are shy

Not at all. Introversion and shyness are completely different. Shy people fear social judgement while introverted people just like to recharge with their own company or one or two close friends. The next time you start to think of the two as been mutually exclusive, bite your tongue because you are dead wrong about it.