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Must Read

There are advantages!

November 27, 2006

Posted by leah.jones

The first time I took a Myers Briggs personality test, the results were very surprising. I found out that I wasn't an extrovert. Despite my willingness to take leadership roles, do presentations, and work in large groups, the test said I was a big ol' introvert.

Then I found out that introverts recharged by being alone, while extroverts recharged by being with people. That certainly made sense and wasn't the only revelation the typing caused.

I've been bouncing along, happily knowing that I'm an introvert for the last eight years or so. Then last week I took an online Myers Briggs and saw that I've drifted into extroversion, but I know that I still recharge with alone time. While I'm finding a balance, I'm certainly not a Big E extrovert, just a little e extrovert with a silent introvert in front of it.

It was timely, then, that I finally picked up a copy of Marti Olden Laney's book The Introvert Advantage: How to Thrive in an Extrovert World. I think that PR is definitely an extrovert world and as an (intro)extrovert, I had many "ah ha" moments reading this book.

One is that it's okay not to mingle at a big networking thing. Marti gives seven tactics for surviving parties and one is the Sea Anemone. Exactly how it sounds, you plant yourself in a comfortable corner and people will come to you. Some will float by and some (likely other introverts) will sit down and join you.

She has included chapters about work, relationships, parenting, and friendships. She also included plenty of scientific, rational explanations that introverts love so much. If you aren't an introvert, you probably work or live with one, so the book would be great for you too.

Either pick up a copy of The Introvert Advantage or visit Marti's site by the same name. The introvert in your life will be thrilled.

posted by leah.jones

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