Outgoing Introverts: How Does That Make Sense?

The word introvert has poetic and religious origins. First used in the mid 17th century to refer to people turning their focus inward for spiritual contemplation, it's also a close cousin of the poet's main occupation of creating verse or new 'turns.' In its 20th century incarnation, introvert as popularized by Carl Jung and the Myers-Briggs folks, took on a more specific meaning that referred to the need to recharge and refuel by going inward. We easily forget this, and this is why we don't recognize how an outgoing introvert makes complete sense.  

It's not uncommon for introverts to be outgoing. In fact, there are so many of them, that you probably don't even realize they are introverts. Just look at Stephen Colbert, an introvert who delights in kind of sharp satirical wit, deep social connection, and general hilarity as your most outgoing of extroverts. Or take Oprah, a virtual cultural force who knows how to both connect with a large crowd and really get to the heart of the matter in a deeply personal and interior way. Remember how she launched a sponsored book series--the Oprah Book Club- that changed the way our culture relates to literature? Or there’s the dancing fool we all know so well from daytime television, Ellen Degeneres. Seeing a trend?

Introversion remember is much more about how an individual energizes and what their dominant preference is for connecting to themselves and others, NOT necessarily whether they are shy or outgoing. In the past, people mislabelled and even defined introverts as someone who are generically shy, but we've become much more precise and sophisticated about what introversion truly is. 

When someone who is introverted gets charged up, they often appreciate sharing that with others in some form or another, whether in writing or in person in a one-on-one or small group conversation.  

Introverts do well to connect from the inside-out in general, and more specifically, when trying to expand their comfort zone into the larger social world. This can be through a book club, a well chosen meetup group, or tailored plans with a larger group (i.e. putting some healthy introvert time limits on it even if that means making an excuse that you have something to go to next!). 

It's important to recognize that you don't HAVE to be outgoing in order to feel fulfilled, but instead look at it like this: this is less familiar territory where you can possibly discover and grow in unexpected ways. Consider it a test drive, and see what you find. You might find there's a whole another side of you waiting to add to your annex to your already wonderful introvert home!