6 Myths About Introverts

Co-authored by Tara Bradford

Last Updated: August 25, 2021 References

When many people hear the term “introvert,” a flurry of stereotypes comes to mind. They think of someone who is shy, anxious, and brooding and who avoids other people at all costs. The truth is that many of these popular ideas about introverts aren’t accurate. Being introverted (or extroverted) is more nuanced than that! In this article, we’ve broken down some of the most common myths and misconceptions about introverts to help set the record straight.

Method 1

Method 1 of 6:
Myth: Introverts don’t like people.

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Fact: Introverts like people, but they need more alone time. Introverts “recharge” by spending time alone, while extroverts are the opposite. When introverts do socialize, they prefer more intimate conversations, like one-on-one chats, over crowded gatherings.^{[1]
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Expert Source

Tara Bradford
Life & Mindset Coach
Expert Interview. 16 September 2020.} None of this means that they don’t like people though! Introverts just don’t need or crave as much social interaction as extroverts do.^{[2]
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- Introverts can be really engaging conversationalists in the right setting. They tend to prefer deeper, more meaningful conversations over small talk.

Method 2

Method 2 of 6:
Myth: Introverts are shy.

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Fact: Introversion and shyness are definitely not the same thing! Introversion and shyness are often used interchangeably when they really shouldn’t be. Someone who is introverted may not be shy, while someone who is shy may not be introverted. A helpful way to differentiate between the two is to think of introversion as a preference and shyness as a behavior. Someone who is introverted might prefer to not spend time in a large group of people but have no problem socializing with a big group if they have to. Someone who is shy, on the other hand, might crave a lot of socialization, but struggle to interact with people once they’re actually in a big group.^{[3]
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- Introverts tend to not seek out social interaction, but they’re not afraid of it either.

Method 3

Method 3 of 6:
Myth: Introverts are bad at public speaking.

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Fact: Introverts can be great public speakers! Someone’s public speaking skills have little to do with whether or not they’re introverted or extroverted. Studies show that public speaking anxiety is more related to how anxious someone is in general. Both introverts and extroverts can struggle with public speaking, and they can also both excel at it.^{[4]
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Method 4

Method 4 of 6:
Myth: Introverts aren’t good leaders.

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Fact: Introverts can thrive in leadership positions. It’s true that the vast majority of leaders and managers report being extroverted, but that doesn’t mean that introverts can’t be good leaders. Research shows that both extroverted and introverted leaders are equally successful, although they do best leading different types of employees. Introverts tend to excel when leading proactive employees who voice suggestions, concerns, and ideas, while extroverts typically do better leading employees who are more passive.^{[5]
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Method 5

Method 5 of 6:
Myth: Introverts are unhappy.

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Fact: Being introverted doesn’t mean you can’t be happy. Research does show that extroverts tend to be happier than introverts, but there’s debate about why that is. One hypothesis is that extroverts are happier overall because many of their characteristics, like being outspoken and outgoing, are valued and validated in society. Introverts, on the other hand, are left feeling like there’s something “wrong” with their personality, leading to lower levels of happiness.^{[6]
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Research source} Introverts aren’t inherently unhappy—they’re just more likely to struggle with self-acceptance.
- Research shows that introverts who accept themselves as introverted are happier and more confident. Introverts who feel like they’re lacking in something because they’re not extroverted enough are more likely to be unhappy.^{[7]
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Method 6

Method 6 of 6:
Myth: We’re all either 100 percent introverted or extroverted.

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Fact: Most people actually fall somewhere in the middle. Research shows that the majority of people aren’t full-blown extroverts or introverts—most people are actually ambiverts, or people who experience a balance of both introversion and extroversion. Full-on introverts and extroverts do exist, but they’re in the minority.^{[8]
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- If you feel ambivalent about social situations, you could be an ambivert. Ambiverts occasionally enjoy spending time in groups, and other times they prefer to be alone. They don’t have a strong preference for one over the other.^{[9]
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Expert Q&A

Question

Can introverts be talkative?

Tara Bradford
Life & Mindset Coach
Tara Bradford is a Brand Strategist, Life and Mindset Coach, and the Founder of The Bradford Institute, a life and leadership coaching company in New York City. She is also a guest lecturer at Fordham's Gabelli School of Business in the MS Media Management program. With over five years of experience, Tara specializes in personal branding, executive presence, and thought leadership. Tara brings her background in Neuroscience, Psychology, Biochemistry, and Social and Behavioral Sciences into her coaching practice. She received a BS in Nursing from the University of Arizona and studied Biochemistry at the University of New England. She is certified in high-performance coaching, neurolinguistics, hypnotherapy, success coaching, and emotional freedom and TIME techniques. Her podcast titled Handle Everything is dedicated to sharing this message.

Tara Bradford

Life & Mindset Coach

Expert Answer

Introverts might enjoy one-on-one conversations more than talking with a large group.