Harnessing the Power of the Introvert

"introvert" (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0) by  Send me adrift. 

There is little doubt that we live in a society that likes to place the extrovert on a pedestal. We admire the outwardly confident and the charismatic regardless of what they are saying, but what might we be missing?

Within our schools, if we look closely enough, we will find the introverts – deep thinkers and reflective types who have to face the reality that their strengths often go unnoticed.  If you think about it, our educational settings favour the extrovert. Open spaces, full-on social interaction with little room for contemplation. Our learning opportunities often favour group-work and the most outwardly confident who can very easily talk over the introvert.

But don’t be fooled. Most introverts are not shy, far from it. (You get very shy extroverts to.) The truth is that many possess a deep confidence, but one that only surfaces when the extroverts of had their say. 

Introverts possess a strength that would surprise many. They have the ability to innovate and see things in new and creative ways but it is down to us as educators to ensure that the environments we provide them in do not debilitate but instead liberate this capacity. 

One of the greatest sadness’s in our educational system is that so many of these wonderful young people are completely unaware of what makes them different and the capacity they possess. Some think they have failed, as not being able to conform to the extrovert ideal weighs heavily on them.

We need the introvert as much as we need the extrovert so let’s not drown them out with our excess and lack of thought. Let them speak and be prepared to listen. Let them work alone when they need to because it is often then that the best work is done. Tell them it’s OK. 

John Hassall, Founder and Creative Director