Amanda Rose: how being an extrovert or introvert can work against you in your career

There is nothing wrong with being an introvert or an extrovert but it’s important to understand how it affects the way you work and are perceived by colleagues.

Both introverts and extroverts can be good at any role, but they have to make sure their communication style does not work against them in their career.

An extrovert needs to be around people all the time. They love it when they need to be “on”.

Usually, they are in sales.

Sometimes the extroverts are the ones keeping energy going in an office.

They feed off other people, though, and that can work against them if they are taking other people’s energy to feed their own.

If you are an extravert, be mindful some other people may be more productive on their own so you need to practice doing the same or people could end up avoiding you.

Too much extroversion can cause colleagues to avoid you. Picture: iStock

Be engaging, people love that, but it can end up everyone around you is exhausted and that creates an unproductive team and an environment where everyone is tired.

Think about when it is the right time and place to be an extrovert.

With introverts, they are often very thorough. They are good at research and studying and are good observers, so even if they don’t speak up in a meeting, they notice a lot.

They can also work in sales, but in a different style. You will find most people in accounting and finance are introverts because they are comfortable with their numbers.

Introverts and extroverts can be good at anything.

The introvert also needs to make sure they are not always in the corner and not engaging with people.

Introverts cannot just refuse to communicate with colleagues. Picture: iStock

If you are an introvert, you need to get out of your shell, let people know who you are. You don’t have to be charismatic and extroverted but at least communicate. Introverts need to understand they may come across as prickly.

Everyone needs to be self aware of what they’re good at and what they’re not, and what people perceive and manage it accordingly.

Maybe the workplace needs a personality exercise to understand how to deal with each other or people can misinterpret things and wonder “why are you in my face?” or “why are you not talking to me?”.

Everyone needs to be aware of the social queues.

Amanda Rose is a business consultant, workplace trainer, LinkedIn influencer and founder of six organisations – and now she is tackling your career questions for SMART Daily every week.

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