T H U R S D AY , M A R C H 2 2 , 2 0 1 2K A N S A S U N I O N

KU LIBRARIES SUPPORT STAFF DEVELOPMENT WORKSHOP

INTROVERSION/EXTRAVERSIONBY

KATHLEEN AMES-OLIVER (KU HREO)

L E D BY KAT H L E E N A M E S - O L I V E R

INTROVERT/EXTRAVERT DISCUSSION

PARTICIPANTS WERE ASKED TO COMPLETE THE QUIZ: ARE YOU AN INTROVERT OR AN EXTRAVERT?

DIVIDING THE INTROVERTS & EXTRAVERTS

Discussion of issues facing the libraries’

numerous Introverts

Topics included space

accommodations and adapting in an extraverted

world

DIVIDING THE INTROVERTS & EXTRAVERTS

The Libraries’ Ambiverts

Ambiverts are people who have aspects of both

Introverts & Extraverts

B I L L I E A N D V I C T O R I A O F F E R T H E E XT RAV E RT E D P E R S P E C T I V E

ONLY 2 EXTRAVERTED PARTICIPANTS

I N T R OV E RT / E XT RAV E RT G R O U P S B RA I N S T O R M I N G

REQUESTS & OFFERS ACTIVITY

REQUESTS INTROVERTS ASKED OF EXTRAVERTS

• Time and space to be alone.• Try to understand us. We’re not being mean if we want to be

alone.• Help us adapt to be more like extraverts.• Accept us; quit trying to change us.• Listen and do not react until we have a chance to express our

views.• Show more respect of our opinions and don’t be so dominating.• Don’t bait us just to hear us speak.• Don’t judge us for not thinking your way.• Be quiet.• Respect emotional space.• Ask if now is a good time to talk.• Try to make conversations more meaningful and purposeful.• Try to listen and pay attention.

REQUESTS EXTRAVERTS ASKED OF INTROVERTS

• Be willing to smile and say hello. Engage us.• Be willing to make the first move occasionally.• Single word answers are not sufficient. Explain and

speak more.• There’s a feeling that introverts don’t like face-to-

face or phone conversations and instead prefer email. Be willing to speak face-to-face.• When in a meeting, we need you to participate and

share your opinions. Don’t be quiet and complain about it later.

I N T R OV E RT / E XT RAV E RT G R O U P S B RA I N S T O R M I N G S E S S I O N

REQUESTS/OFFERS ACTIVITY

OFFERS INTROVERTS MADE TO EXTRAVERTS

• We’ll take advantage of alternatives to communicate in meetings.

• We’re willing to smile and say good morning.• We’re willing to call instead of emailing.• We’ll ask your preference for communication style.• We’re happy to participate in meetings as introverts. We

may not speak passionately but we do have a voice to offer.

• We will let you talk out your ideas.• Provide an agenda ahead of time to provide a safe

environment for us to share our ideas.• We’ll make an effort to initiate and engage contact.

OFFERS EXTRAVERTS MADE TO INTROVERTS

• We’ll ask when it’s a good time to talk and not rush you.• We’ll try not to interrupt.• We’ll offer other options

for participating in meetings. We’ll send an agenda and offer a handout for you to send in anonymously later.

THE RESULT OF THE REQUEST/OFFER ACTIVITY?

We will all try to create safe environments for meetings and discussions in the library.

A N I N T R OV E RT & A N E XT RAV E RT E XC H A N G E R O L E S

ROLE PLAYING ACTIVITY

WHAT STAFF LEARNED

Not to feel guilty being the way I am (validation!)

Seeing different viewpoints in the workplace was impressive.

How both sides think & what they expect from each other.

It was useful to hear comments of staff I consider more clearly at the ends of the continuum.

This is a big cause of misunderstandings & disrespect in the workplace & our culture, so it was very applicable and helpful.

WHAT STAFF LEARNED

Learning that the ratio of E’s to I’s is around 50%. I have always felt in the minority.

Certain staff (mostly introverts) feel “mowed over” by others. Some of them no longer participate in meetings or other cooperative efforts.

Rather than E’s and I’s trying to learn how to be more like each other, I would like everyone to learn how to appreciate themselves the way they are and appreciate the other type for who they are and respect each other’s differences.

Open eyes to different theories & balance the two. Make work environment more comfortable.

FUTURE DIRECTIONS

How have you used Introvert/Extravert

concepts in the workplace?

How would you like to use it in

the future?

We’d like your feedback. Contact

Kristin Zachrel (kaz@ku.edu) with ideas.