Being naturally more outgoing and energized by social interaction, extroverts in most Western societies primarily establish the models of social behavior, are more often seen as leaders, are most visible in various media, and tend to "set the agenda" for work and life goals. As a result, introverts can experience the following:
Believe something is "wrong" with them and dismiss their natural strengths—like reflection, focus, and deep thinking—as flaws.
Set goals to conform rather than reflect their authentic values
Put limits on their career choices, believing they don't have leadership potential
Feel as though they just "don't fit" in their career or organization
Hold themselves back socially due to suppressing opinions, needs, or goals for fear of seeming “too quiet,” “too intense,” or “weird.”
Long-term planning feels inaccessible or overwhelming due to lack of self-acceptance
Selected Resources on Introversion and Introverts
