Are you a closet introvert?

By on March 5th, 2010 In Professional Development

One of my favorite blogs, www.repmanblog.com, posted recently about “introverts making a go of it in professions dominated by extroverts.”  Blogger Steve Cody admits that he has taken improvisation and stand-up comedy to get over his innate shyness.

How many of us in public relations are actually introverts and not extroverts?   In her post this winter about her shyness, blogger Dushka Zapata writes that “according to the Meyers [sic] Briggs type indicator, an ‘extrovert’ and an ‘introvert’ are defined based on where they get their energy. An extrovert is ‘energized by the outer world of people and things’ and an introvert is ‘energized by the inner world of thoughts and ideas.’”

This difference must be what makes some of us PR people gravitate towards writing (my favorite) and some of us towards event planning (would rather have a root canal).  What part of PR do you hate?   That will probably tell you a lot about which side you fall on, introvert or extrovert.

Graphic from http://myers.team-technology.co.uk

Comments

Peter Faur Says:
March 5th, 2010 at 1:48 pm

Linda, I once heard it said that to be successful in public relations, you need a strong ego but not a big ego. Most successful PR people I know aren’t flashy showoffs. Whether they’re introverts or extroverts, they have the fortitude to offer a client their opinions, even if their thoughts will be unpopular. Those who do it best exhibit a fair amount of tact as well.

Me personally? I think of myself as a quiet extrovert! On your diagram above, I’m an ENFP, an explorer. I’ll buy that. Thanks for your post.

Linda VandeVrede Says:
March 5th, 2010 at 1:52 pm

ENFP – that’s an extrovert, intuitive, feeling, perceiving, correct? I like the “quiet extrovert” — that’s how I feel most of the time. And I would agree – most of the really successful PR people aren’t the flashy showoff types.

Marketing $ociologist Says:
March 8th, 2010 at 8:36 am

Personally, I believe former media types are the best for PR. Calling them cynical is a misnomer. When you’re taking photos of a 12-year olds body being pulled out of a canal, or the reporter on the scene of the recent San Diego sex deviant murders (Amber DuBois, Chelsea King), you develop a different perspective.

Once at the University of Phoenix I took an EXTENSIVE (about 20 pages) personality profile. I’ve always said, “I’m no doctor. I have no patience.” The UOP report said, “Even the Internet moves too slowly for you.” Ironic (and accurate)! So I believe if you did the Myers Briggs profile, MOST PR people are going to be dominant influencers – same with journalists.

Dan Wool Says:
March 8th, 2010 at 10:07 am

I am not a closet introvert, I am a *complete* introvert (INFP)! I think this has major advantages in PR. Mostly, because I can’t rely on an extroverted personality, I spend more time on due diligence, PR strategy and forging relationships. These are often taken for granted by the type-A’s out there.

Bridget Daly Says:
March 8th, 2010 at 10:46 am

Love this Linda! Closet introvert describes me perfectly. My family often wonders HOW I do my job. I’m always getting asked, “Don’t you communicate for a living? Then why do you hate talking to people?” I don’t hate being extroverted, it’s just that I have to do it at work all day and, therefore, would prefer to spend quiet time with family at home. Much like Dan, at work, I focus more on due diligence, strategy, writing and forging relationships rather than being the extroverted personality. Although, my co-workers might disagree (hence, the “closet” part of my personality).

Linda VandeVrede Says:
March 8th, 2010 at 12:22 pm

Sounds as if there are more introverts in PR than I originally thought! I am an INTJ, which supposedly means I’m better suited to be a judge or scientist.

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