Introverts are personality types who process information internally. They are inwardly driven instead of extroverts who process information externally and are outwardly driven.
Swiss psychiatrist and psychoanalyst Carl Jung is credited with developing the conceptual framework for introverts and extroverts.
Katharine Briggs and Isabel Myers are credited for categorizing introverts and extroverts into 16 distinct personality types under the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator® (MBTI).
And Edward S. Brown III is credited for categorizing INTJ, ISTJ, and INTP personality types as strategic introverts within the eight introverted personality types under MBTI.
Brown determined that INTJs, ISTJs, and INTPs are the personality types most apt to leverage their intellect to gain power and influence and demonstrate a preference towards intellectual pursuits.
Based on the Myers-Briggs Type indicator®, while most introverts enjoy reading, solitude, and introspection, all introverts are not created alike.
Christina Lawson, a contributing writer at Learning Mind, outlined the four types of introverts as:
Social Introvert
This type of introvert likes to socialize with others, mainly in small groups when they must socialize at all.
Thinking Introvert
This type of introvert is considered a deep thinker and psychoanalyzes everything.
Anxious Introvert
This type of introvert feels socially awkward and self-conscious at social events. An anxious introvert might exhibit perpetual nervousness throughout life.
Restrained Introvert
Viewed as laid back and reserved, this introvert must get comfortable with the environment and people before engaging in social interactions.
Although an introvert’s personality might overlap within these categories, many have one dominant characteristic among these four distinctions.
Whether an introvert is social, thinking, anxious, or restrained, in a complex and competitive world, the ability to think strategically is one of the most vital skills an introvert can possess.
Cecilia Lynch, founder, CEO, and chief strategist at Focused Momentum®, said:
Strategic thinking is the practice of orienting decisions with the end in mind and working backward to ensure alignment of action to the goal. It is a discipline of evaluating alternatives and adapting decision-making to the goal rather than relying on a more limited and incremental problem-solving approach.
Here are five ways introverts can become more strategic:
Speak economically
Many introverts enjoy keeping their thoughts and ideas to themselves or sharing predominately with close friends.
Speaking economically and measurably causes people to lean in and want to hear more of your insights and observations.
Speaking economically also creates an air of mystery by leaving listeners wanting more—the more calculated your communication, the more curious the listener.
Develop silent power
Power and influence are typical desires in a competitive world. Introverts are no different than extroverts in their quest to influence the direction of society. As problem-solvers, introverts enjoy the influence that their innovative ideas produce.
Introverts are ideal puppet masters for controlling events behind the scene. They can put words in people’s mouths through blogging, podcasting, and creating videos where other spokespeople are used for expressing a point of view.
Developing intellectual property allows introverts to use their solitude, data accumulation, and analysis to gain power and influence without surrendering their privacy.
Select value-driven events
Although introverts are disinclined to attend large social events, they enjoy small events with friends and compatible people. By being strategic and selective with the reasons behind attending an event, the outcome becomes more pleasurable.
Additionally, by bringing your brand of people to a gathering, you control the level of interaction you choose to engage.
An “anchor” person serves as a means of controlling the lulls endemic in many gatherings.
Finally, introverts need to align intellectually and emotionally with an event.
Before confirming an RSVP, ensure that guests, setting, and food are factors to get excited about.
Stay inwardly connected
It has been said that intuition is merely distilled experience. In other words, the longer you live, the better you can spot trends and patterns of behavior.
Consequently, before proceeding with any decision, determine if you can map out the potential outcome.
Be confident that the years of honing your intellect are your GPS for consistently making good decisions and taking proper actions.
Never second guess the inner dialogue that has served you honorably throughout your life.
A fine-tuned inner voice allows you to not go astray.
Live methodically
A structured and disciplined life will consistently outperform chaos and disorganization.
Charles Lieberman’s article about the introverted lifestyle suggests that structure leads to self-fulfillment, which leads to self-actualization.
Economist Dr. Thomas Sowell said that there are no perfect solutions in life, merely trade-offs.
Self-aware introverts know that attempting to have it all is a myth without trade-offs and sacrifices.
In the end, we live in a logical world that introverts have quietly built and influenced.
Without introverts, where would we be?
I shudder to think.
How about you?
—Mark Spelling
References
Lawson, C. (2015, Aug. 2). 4 types of introverts: Which one are you? Learning Mind. Retrieved from: https://bit.ly/3aJAgCR.
Lynch, C. (2019, May 1). Why is strategic thinking important-now more than ever? Focused Momentum®. Retrieved from: https://bit.ly/3FWi8E3.