Engaging Introverts

VALUING QUIETER VOICES. by Davie Philip

“Everyone shines, given the right lighting. For some, it’s a Broadway spotlight, for others, a lamp lit desk.” Susan Cain

“David was a quiet wee laddie,” according to someone I went to school with whom my mother met recently in the Scottish town where I grew up. Although I now intentionally live in community and work as a group facilitator, I definitely have introvert tendencies. In an extrovertdominated culture that appreciates the loudest and most outgoing, how do we ensure that the voices and contributions of people who are not as comfortable putting themselves out there are valued? Over the years I have managed my social awkwardness and overcome a fear of public speaking and am now very comfortable addressing and working with large groups. That is, as long as the focus is on sustainable community or another topic that I am passionate about. Outside of my bubble I can lose my flow, be very quiet and sometimes be severely inhibited.

It was Carl Jung who first coined the terms introvert and extrovert, to describe his observations that people tend to be energised either by going inward in quiet reflection, or outward and are invigorated through interactions with people. Of course, it is a spectrum and our personalities and ways of navigating the world are a lot more complex. It is commonly perceived that all introverts are reserved, constantly quiet, and unsocial, however they are actually a very diverse group with a lot to offer the world.

“It is commonly perceived that all introverts are reserved, constantly quiet, and unsocial, however they are actually a very diverse group with a lot to offer the world.”

I recommend reading Susan Cain’s book Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World that Can’t Stop Talking. It outlines the advantages and disadvantages of each temperament and the positive aspects of being an introvert. Cain cites research in biology, psychology, neuroscience and culture to explain that introversion is both common and normal, and notes that many of humankind’s most creative individuals and leaders throughout history were introverts.

Supposedly, at least one-third of people are and most fall somewhere in the middle of the spectrum and can function in both introverted and extroverted ways. Introverts innovate and create but dislike self-promotion; rather than speaking out they prefer observing and reflecting on what is being discussed and favour working on their own over working in teams. They are an important part of any community and a deeper understanding of their special needs and gifts can help us to design new ways to engage people which allow both temperaments to shine.

In the work I do as a group facilitator, it is essential to be aware that people function differently depending on where they are on the introvertextrovert spectrum. Susan Cain claims that traditional group work is designed for extroverts and can disadvantage introverts. Just as a good facilitator needs to be able to work with people with different learning styles or who hold different values, they also have to consciously design meetings which ensure that the gifts of all are shared.

Cultivate regularly organise ‘Art of Facilitation’ courses which build the capacity of people to facilitate groups and host transformational conversations in their community. These provide participants with new processes to better design meetings and participative events with the introvert in mind and help ensure that meetings are not disrupted by one personality type either dominating or withdrawing.

Davie Philip (davie@cultivate.ie) is a facilitator and trainer at Cultivate and is based in Cloughjordan Ecovillage (thevilage.ie) For more information on The Art of Facilitation see cultivate.ie