Loneliness, keeping distance from others and becoming quiet are not problems, they are opportunities.

(Sadhguru)

Being an introvert is marked by many stereotypes, being regarded as an undesirable feature and passé. Many research studies conclude that the extrovert model is the common desired personality pattern, which is linked to the expansion of a culture based on confidence, teamwork and coworking. Introversion is increasingly being put on the same shelf as shyness, lack of agency, passivity or sensitivity. However, and many studies confirm the fallacy of these societal assumptions, as introversion most often hides the silent genius syndrome.

Introvert’s handbook

An introvert must be learned to handle. This procedure requires an instruction. Not everyone knows that an introvert needs time to analyze situations as well as moments spent alone to recharge internal batteries. An introvert should therefore not be expected to be eloquent on call, ebullient or entertaining company. The worst question you can ask an introvert is to inquire why they are sad, or why they isolate themselves. Well, for an introvert, the pensive state is a natural state of inner regeneration and self-analysis of the situation. The inability to recognize introverted traits can thus lead to many conflicts, as well as causing degradation in the professional environment. An employee who is seen as a queer, a freak or an outsider can be seen as a black sheep, around whom myths about his or her agency grow. So perhaps it is time to dispel the stereotype of the introvert and outline the characteristics of their quiet genius.

Carrot and stick culture

European culture is largely based on the principle of 'carrot and stick'. Often the carrot or reward itself is simply the absence of a carrot, as explained by the mechanisms seen in the labor market. An introverted employee is usually placed on the side of the promotion ladder. Simply allowing to participate in the life of a particular company is seen as a privilege in the face of his or her manner. It is this kind of person who is often put into a background role, without exploiting or understanding the significance of his or her potential. Promotions thus bypass the introvert as well as recognition in relation to their work. So what is the 'stick'? An introverted employee is generally not punished but may be moved away from development prospects. Equally similar social behavior is seen in the job application market. A candidate for a new job often drops out in the second and third stages of recruitment - why? The analytical personality of the introvert most often loses out in the face of charismatic and extrovert candidates. Participation in the recruitment process itself is treated as a 'carrot', i.e. a reward, and the chances of getting the job are theoretically put on an equal footing. But is this really the case?

One might be tempted to say that the trend towards extroversion pretends to be the civilizational disease of our time. In addition, there has been a slow over-intellectualization of society, especially in the European area, where what can be seen, heard and read is taken as the collective perspective. We like ready-made solutions, bare facts and grab them like hot bites of universal knowledge. Intuitive or lateral thinking is replaced more readily by charismatic coaching than by the individual power of our own self-reflection. The addiction to colorful, vivid graphics rather than profound content only intensifies the outline of the problem. Communication has become a key skill, while it is on thinking that we base the development of modern civilization.

Breaking the stereotype of the introvert

The nature of an introvert is not necessarily contemplative. Many scientific studies show that introverts exhibit extraordinary language skills. Introverts can also be excellent inventors, thanks to the power of their persistence and self-analysis. It is worth recalling here a well-known introvert on example of literary figure and musician, Bob Dylan, who also indicated in his biography that he felt introverted. This feature did not prevent him from winning the Nobel Prize because of his richly developed linguistic and emotional intelligence. In the song 'The man in me', Bob Dylan sings:

The man inside me will do nearly any task.

(Bob Dylan, 'The man in me')

The greatest battles have been won by the power of skillful strategy, and the same principle applies even in football, where, by analyzing the situation, the player arrives at a successful outcome. The inner introspection of introverts has been treated with due respect and dignity since ancient times. The great ideas of the Stoics, Zen philosophy, Buddhism - they are all based on a profound ability to look inwards. Moreover, there are most often the analytical introverts who are behind the success of many powerful people - their coaches, strategists, mentors, advisors, teachers. Does it mean that they are more important than the performers themselves? Absolutely not, but it does not mean that they should be treated as inferior, by allowing themselves to be left in the shadows.

Introverts are more often judged by their manner than extroverts. However, as long as we recognize the potential in introverts, it offers hope for the future. If such a perspective exceeds a critical mass, perhaps the trend of the future will be to simply be within oneself, inwardly facing.