tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6643149196756253647.post7231987511196984232..comments2023-04-02T09:52:13.513-04:00Comments on We Know Engineers: The Strong, Silent TypeAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00051030683722353427noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6643149196756253647.post-73546294679549808292008-07-17T17:16:00.000-04:002008-07-17T17:16:00.000-04:00I was for many years seen as extremely extraverted...I was for many years seen as extremely extraverted by my extraverted school friends and early work colleagues. I would talk about anything and everything, to anybody in any size of group..the bigger the better. Over more than fifteen years in a highly technical environment that seems to attract, even demand, introverted personalities (how I got there I'll never know), I have clearly become introverted more than many of my introverted colleagues and peers. I now intensely dislike the limelight and avoid extraverted personalities like the plague, preferring introverted conversation and one to one social interaction. It's reassuring to read Mark's posting as while I don't mind at all, I recognise the need to relearn how to be extraverted, even if it means recharging those batteries afterwards. A fascinating journey of discovery, and there was I believing I was learning about science and engineering all of these years... ;o)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6643149196756253647.post-56041471663467871942008-05-30T08:16:00.000-04:002008-05-30T08:16:00.000-04:00I'm one of those introverts who has overcome many ...I'm one of those introverts who has overcome many of the fears and doubts Pam talks about. Today, most people who know the difference peg me as an extrovert - the guy doing all the talking at a networking lunch table, willing to speak on the spot about just anything (if I know something about it), comfortable in proposal presentations taking random questions, etc.<BR/><BR/>How? First know and accept that some measure of business success comes from these learned capabilities (yes, you can learn to "channel" your inner extrovert). Then make yourself do it, until you do by habit, by second nature. And then, make sure you have a place to recover - alone time. One friend and coach told me that it's not how you appear in public, it's what you do to recharge your batteries that is a defining criteria for introversion.<BR/><BR/>Good luck. Talk it up with next person you meet.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00946710238066231990noreply@blogger.com