Introverts are problem solvers Whether you're looking for relationship advice or wondering how Pythagoras solved a2 + b2, introverts likely have the answers, or know how to find them. Peek inside an introvert's brain, writes Laurie Helgo, author of Introvert Power, and you'll see "a flurry of activity in the frontal cortex, the command center for complex mental activities—the ones that involve taking in data, integrating it with stored information, and generating higher-order solutions and responses." Introverts are well prepared Introverts' penchant for exhaustive preparation, especially at work, might originate from their tendency to take longer than extroverts to think through and respond to questions. (There's a neurological reason for this: Information actually takes a longer path through the brain of an introvert than it does through the brain of an extrovert.) To avoid unexpected questions, introverts rely on preparing for nearly every query in advance. "Being prepared also contributes to feeling confident," says Kahnweiler. That's a feeling introverts may not normally have when heading into a meeting. Introverts are often great writers Isaac Asimov, who penned I, Robot and other works of science fiction, once said, "Writing, to me, is simply thinking through my fingers." Fellow introverts, many of whom find comfort in expressing themselves through writing, will likely agree. "Introverts focus on depth versus breadth," says Jennifer Kahnweiler, author of Quiet Influence. "They can write out their ideas in full and be sure they are clarifying their ideas instead of being cut off by others." And excellent listeners Because they're quiet by nature, introverts are "natural-born listeners," writes Kahnweiler. They tend to carefully take in all information and opinions, and only after digesting it, offer a thoughtful answer. In fact, a study from Harvard Business School found that introverts can be better leaders than extroverts, especially when their team members are naturally proactive. "An introverted leader is more likely to listen to and process the ideas of an eager team," writes study Harvard Business School professor Carmen Nobel. Introverts are creative thinkers Research by psychologists Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi and Gregory Feist have found that the most creative people in many fields are introverts. "Our culture is biased against quiet and reserved people," Susan Cain, author of Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking, writes on CNN.com. "But introverts are responsible for some of humanity's greatest achievements." Steve Wozniak, Dr. Seuss, Charles Darwin, and other creative geniuses, for example, all enjoyed their solitude. Introverts are good friends Fiercely loyal, intensely attentive, and undeniably reliable, introverts are usually great friends. And consider yourself lucky—since they have a prefer a small inner circle, they're very picky when choosing friends. source
