A “Closet Extrovert”
In my mid 20’s I went to a week long personal leadership course my company used to offer to employees for training. On the first day of the course, everyone took a Myers Briggs personality test. I really wish I could find the paperwork with the results now, but I do remember the Introvert to Extrovert scale going past the Introvert end of the scale. Which looking back on it, does not surprise me. As part of the course, the overall larger group was separated into 5 smaller groups. On the 2nd day, while we were in our smaller groups, we discussed out tests findings, and someone in my smaller group commented that they would not have placed me as an Introvert and called me a “Closet Extrovert”. Even today, I find that funny and maybe accurate.
In the last few years, I have taken a few of the free online personality tests, and they have ranged from INFJ, INFP-T and to ISFJ. A common trend is they always come back Introvert. In general, all the typical Introvert traits I have. I will not bore you with writing them all down here, but any you think of, those are me.
Back to the “Closet Extrovert” though, there is one reason why I think that is true. Put me in a group of people I do not know, and I have no problem talking. I can be chatty and conversational.
Next year, I will have worked for the same company for 20 years. Over that time, there are many employees that I have meet and known for more than 10 to 15 years. I have worked for several teams, mostly IT or Security. One thing that my co-workers have said about me is that I ask questions, and I think that is where I become an Extrovert. When I think about it, would an extreme introvert ask multiple questions of the presenter in an auditorium of 300 plus people, especially when they would pan a camera to you while you asked them. I would think not. Someone I have known at work for over 15 years even stopped me after a meeting once and asked me if I was okay because I did not ask any questions. I told them I was fine, I did not have any to ask.
Another thing I have been doing for many years is helping organize and run user groups and clubs. Even today, I am not a fan of getting up in front of the groups and talking or giving presentations. But, over time I have adjusted to it and it does not bother me. Do not get me wrong, I am fine sitting in the back by myself, but being the person to organize and facilitate the meetings for these user groups over the years, I have gotten to the point where I am not that nervous in front of groups of 10 to 50 or so people. I am not the best public speaker, and most of the user group presentations I have given included hands on demos or group follow along tutorials.
Looking back at the personal leadership course I took, and my co-worker, whom I still see in the office on occasion some 17 years later, was correct. Some traits in people can make an extreme introvert comfortable in groups and appear to be an extrovert. That being curious, something I am more of than an introvert can help me get over the nervousness of being in groups.
