If I am asked if I am an introvert or an extrovert my first tendency is to answer that I am an introvert. I have always been dubbed as the "Quiet one", the person who laughs at jokes, the wallflower who silently listens and gives advice, the support class hero who always have a nice word to say.

Such is how people view me and in a way viewed myself. Society loves its categories as it sets labels and qualifications to easily distinguish and segregate people.

I remember a childhood memory of being 2 years old amidst the smell of varnish, leather, and wood in a furniture shop that we had when we lived in Baguio. Of being left in a corner with a box of Lego while my sister played with her friends and was too young to take care of me. She would come back and see me in the same spot.

Later on, I hid amongst books and video games, choosing to disappear into the realm of imagination and wonder.

You know as a kid someone in your class always made a slam book to know who the crushes are. One of the frequent questions there is how would you describe a person. Timid and soft-spoken were words people used when they describe me. Anti-social and loner also were used by those of a more spiteful disposition.

Introverts are Soft-spoken

I have to admit that I am really soft-spoken and have gotten so many complaints from exes that they can hardly hear me speak and would often need to lean in to catch what I am saying. It is as if I didn't want to draw any attention to myself by speaking loudly.

Yet I know some introverts who can be loud especially if they are excited about something. They can be passionate and talk your ear off if given a chance,

Introverts are Timid

Introverts are often accused of overanalyzing and slow to act on a situation. Often they want to

I may hesitate and stop before doing something as I never had that YOLO attitude. I prefer to be on the side of caution rather than regret things. Well except in food I am willing to try to eat anything once which means I have nearly eaten everything that grows, walks, run, fly. swim and crawled. Anything except Avocados you can keep that.

Introverts are Anti-social and Loners

One of the biggest misconceptions about Introverts is being anti-social and hate being around people. I don't think this is true as I enjoy being in the company of people at times especially pretty women!

We are thought to be unable to be around groups of people and prefer solitude. While I can work alone on some projects, I often work best with a team who compliments my strength and weaknesses. Being of the support class often I am able to enhance and make other people look good and highlight their strengths.

Because we tend to rationalize and analyze things through we work well in looking at the overview of projects and make adjustments as needed.

Think of it in a war. You have your warrior-generals and you have your strategiest-generals. Both are important as one is out there improving morale or mowing down enemies while one creates the tactics and enable strategies to make it favorable to those on the frontlines.

Introverts hate public speaking or even talking in general

While extroverts revel in the attention, introverts tendency don't like being in the limelight. It's not that we don't want to be acknowledged if we do well but we just have a different motivation. What could be more public than asking to speak before a crowd.

One part of my job in HR is talking about HR updates and events. I get nervous but I usually prepare a list of talking points and talk and engage the audience. If I am not engaging might as well just send them an email right. It was not easy but I learned the skill because it was necessary.

I'm a man of few words speaking and often just listen and observe other people but I give my insights if needed or asked and if I get excited on a topic I can talk all day long. Especially if it is about video games, Manga, Anime, food or any geeky stuff!

Introverts generally are better in writing as compared to speaking because it gives them time to arrange their thoughts and compose how they want to say it.

I remember being asked by @sircork or @shadowspub in Steem Star Network and in Steemit Ramble for Pimp your post Thursdays and I have managed to talk twice already and was able to present well enough but as I said I let my fingers do my talking better.

Oh, I also talked while co-hosting the Live Curation show in the Promo-mentors last Thursday as well so I can talk if I want to.

Introverts hates parties and often look uncomfortable in a crowd

In my younger days, I like going to clubs, dancing the night away and maybe even hooking up with someone. Nothing like a little liquid courage to get you talking!

Nowadays I like spending my weekends curled up in my bed reading a book, watching Netflix and usually doing Steemit but I still go out with friends from time to time.

In parties, although I am not the center of attention I don't have that feeling of wanting to get out as soon as I step in or spend most of my time on my phone unlike what they usually portray in movies and shoes about socially awkward introvert guys. Maybe its because I go to parties I know people and generally enjoy their company. That I can be myself with them and not have any pretensions.

Although at times I have moods that I don't want to dress up and prefer to just laze around the house in my boxers reading or watching something good. I like my quiet moments as well.

Introverts are terrible leaders and can't be in a team

Source
Society has this view that introverts are usually those brooding artistic types locked away in their studio or in an isolated cabin in the woods typing away their latest manuscripts or as coders without a social life and don't get out of the house. The bottom line is they are said to usually work alone.

So they cannot function in a team and most certainly not become a great leader. A leader is said to be able to motivate and move people to do things. They must have the charisma and be able to sell ice to Eskimos. They are able to lead and if need be come off as a strong Alpha figure to boss around people.

Entirely FALSE! Although I wouldn't say I am the best leader but I often get a lot of good compliments from people that I help guide. Even years after we last talk some people still remember me fondly as they recount how I champion them and gave them a chance when none would.

Being an introvert leader means I usually do more listening than bossing people around. I take the time to build relationships and understand people's motivation, strength, and weaknesses. Most important of all I don't see people as competition and try to put them down before they become a threat. My motto which I share with Simon Sinek is Together is better.

I've seen a lot of managers have this superiority complex that they cannot be talked to, approached or mingle with the rank and file. Although this is not limited to extroverts as there are some introverts who act like that as well.

Introverts do not have fun and are sad people

This is just a matter of the definition of fun for people. Some people have fun by traveling, meeting new people and having experiences. Some people have fun by staying at home and reading a good book and getting lost in their imagination.

Some are adrenaline junkies climbing that rocky cliff. Some like finishing a painting on a warm, sunny day while looking out their window.

It is a matter of what is fun for a person and both personalities experience happiness, sadness, anger, depression, love, and loneliness.

No one personality can be said to be happier than the other.

In the office, I am often mistaken to not have any humor and when I pull a prank on someone they are really astonished and cannot believe I can do that. I like jokes and pranks especially if I am the one pulling it off.

Introverts needs help in becoming more out-going

"Hijo (child) you should be more out-going and have fun."

How many times have I heard this from relatives. That I should be like my younger brother more who has an easy and infectious laugh and is often telling stories to amuse people. While I remain stoic face most of the time. If I was a woman I would have been told that I am perpetually in resting bitch face mode.

They would always tell my Matriarch to enroll me in personality training from Robert Powers Personality Development. As if being an introvert is wrong and should be fixed.

I am quite happy with who I am and the personality that I have. I like seeing myself as the "Quiet one", the person who laughs at jokes, the wallflower who silently listens and gives advice, the support class hero who always have a nice word to say.

That is who I am.

I must say I am doing pretty well in life. In Steemit I can't complain as I see myself as a community builder and engager. I see myself as a person always ready to lend a hand and leave a nice comment.

Even in Steemit, we see introverts who are successful and able to harness their creativity, passions and even become more involved because it is often the Introverts who are the best mentors.

I've managed to rise in reputation and SP through hard work and being a fully engaged member of the whole Steemit community. I've taken the title of being a sugar redfish always willing to send some love through comments and upvotes.

Not bad for an introvert right?

I support @steemfreelancers

Click here for your Mannabase Income

Click here for your Kryptonia access for Superior Coins