Work scenarios like social events or public speaking feel overwhelming for many introverts. Whether it’s presenting to a group or asking for a raise, these moments often spark anxiety.
But here’s the thing—work styles aren’t black and white. Even if you lean toward introversion, you may still have some extroverted tendencies.
So, how can you be more extroverted at work? With minor changes and a willingness to step out of your comfort zone, you can adapt to social situations while staying true to yourself.
This article will explore being more extroverted at work and building stronger professional connections.
How to Be More Extroverted at Work
⏰ 60-Second Summary
- Introversion and extroversion exist on a spectrum—you can adapt to your work environment without changing who you are
- To be more extroverted at work, start small. Engage in casual conversations or participate in meetings to begin
- Next, use active listening to connect meaningfully with colleagues
- Feeling overwhelmed? Balance social energy with breaks to recharge
- Consistency is vital. Practice extroverted behaviors regularly for gradual improvement
- You can hone your existing skills like one-on-one chats or written communication for more confidence
- Leverage ’s features to communicate and collaborate with your team better while maintaining a private nook for your personal planning
Understanding Personality Types: Extroverts and Introverts
Psychologist Carl Jung introduced the concept of introversion and extroversion in the 1920s. According to Jung, extroverts gain energy from social interactions, while introverts recharge through solitude.
While helpful, this framework oversimplifies the complexity of workplace dynamics.
Workplace personality types are not rigid. They exist on a fluid spectrum. Introverts can have outgoing days, and extroverts sometimes need quiet time to recharge. The idea that people are either introverts or extroverts is a misconception. In reality, it’s more meticulous.
Let’s explore how introverts and extroverts navigate everyday workplace situations differently:
Social interaction
Extroverts typically thrive in social environments like networking events or office parties. They draw energy from engaging with others and enjoy building large professional networks. However, contrary to popular belief, extroverts aren’t immune to social fatigue—they also need downtime to recharge after busy, interactive days.
Introverts, meanwhile, prefer smaller, more intimate social settings. They excel in one-on-one conversations or smaller groups. That doesn’t make them antisocial; they simply prefer preparation and favor more meaningful conversations over small talk.
Work environment
Extroverts often seek dynamic environments where the buzz of an open office or lively conversations keeps them energized and engaged. Introverts, though, prefer to focus in quieter environments.
While working from home in isolation can sap extroverts out of energy, introverts may prefer the distraction-free space it creates.
Hybrid models can actually cater to both introverts and extroverts, balancing their unique personality traits for better productivity.
Communication and teamwork
Extroverts often thrive in open discussions, contributing ideas in real time and embracing verbal brainstorming. Sometimes, this may come across as extroverts dominating conversations, but the truth is that their enthusiasm can sometimes overshadow quieter voices.
Introverts usually have a more reflective approach, requiring time to process ideas before speaking. Some of them may even prefer written communication.
They shine as listeners in group settings but feel more at ease with an agenda or prepared discussion points. When given space, introverts make valuable contributions with thoughtful insights.
Critical thinking and decision-making
Extroverts often seek input from others when making decisions, preferring a collaborative approach. They make quick choices and bounce ideas off people. Does that make them impulsive? Extroverts would claim they’re only trying to gather diverse perspectives.
Comparatively, introverts tend to analyze decisions deeply. They consider multiple angles and think about long-term consequences before acting. This reflective thinking allows them to make well-informed decisions, especially in high-stakes situations where careful analysis is key.
Workflow
Extroverts are natural multitaskers, enjoying switching between tasks. Variety is the spice of life for them, and they seek energy from handling multiple projects at once. Who needs monotony when you can do more?
Meanwhile, introverts often excel in focused, single-task environments. They tend to be the most productive when fully immersed in one task, minus distractions. Jumping tasks can be disorienting or inefficient to them.
Benefits of Being More Extroverted at Work
A study in Applied Psychology by Michael P. Wilmot found that extroverts possess four key strengths that contribute to professional success.
After reviewing 97 studies, researchers found that extroversion positively impacts work-related outcomes 90% of the time, highlighting its influence on career performance.
Here’s how extroverts excel at work:
- Motivated by rewards: Extroverts are driven by potential rewards like higher status and recognition. Their confidence helps them succeed in competitive environments
- Staying positive: Extroverts experience positive emotions more often, which helps them cope with stress and setbacks and balance work and life. Their positive outlook aids in adaptability
- Natural at communication: Skilled in verbal and nonverbal communication, extroverts excel in networking, persuasion, and leadership. Their social fluency strengthens professional relationships
- Better job performance: Extroverts take initiative, push for change, and improve strategies. Their proactive approach boosts productivity and often earns recognition and praise
👀 Did You Know? In a Harvard Business Review study, Miriam Gensowski, an assistant professor at the University of Copenhagen, found that men with average extroversion earn $600,000 more over their lifetime than those in the bottom 20%.
Developing Extroverted Characteristics at Work
Now that you understand extroversion and how extroverts differ from introverts, you can begin recognizing and leveraging your own extroverted traits. Here’s a snapshot of these characteristics:
Embrace small talk
Small talk often gets a bad rap. It’s not a futile activity, as many would assume. While many introverts prefer deeper conversations, small talk is a great way to build trust and strengthen ties.
It’s also a key part of workplace culture, so view it as a stepping stone to stronger connections. Start by finding common ground, like discussing career goals or vacation plans, to pave the way for more meaningful chats and help build better work relationships.
A great way to indulge in water cooler talks is to start a conversation on your organization’s instant messaging app. And has an excellent solution for this!
With Chat, you can spark real-time conversations on the same platform as the rest of your tasks. No more struggling with a separate app for talking to your colleagues or wondering if you’re using a personal chat platform to make small talk.
will keep you connected regardless of your personality type or remote working constraints.
Keep the conversation going
As an introvert, you may process information better after reflection. While you can’t prep for everything, asking for updates on meetings or events can help you feel more at ease and ready to contribute.
Say your team is having a project discussion. Request their notes so you can study them and come back with questions. If you’re an introverted manager yourself, you can record your feedback for later with screen captures for better explanations.
Clips can help with its ability to record voice or video notes. This trick can cut down the pressure of live conversation without having to seem antisocial.
If you’ve been overwhelmed with task conversations, consider Assign Comments to disperse issues amongst your team faster.
This helps you constantly converse with your team through asynchronous collaboration, minus the pressure to get into multiple meetings. Win-win!
The trick here isn’t to perpetually talk your colleagues’ ears off but to remain connected. is a versatile team communication platform that helps you do just that.
Collaborate with your team
Collaborating with your team in real time can boost your extroverted persona. But with remote and async becoming increasingly commonplace, how do you do that?
Simple: with more brainstorming sessions. s Whiteboards can help you here. Organize and lead collaborative jams on a visually rich board that everyone can contribute to simultaneously.
If the doodling yields valuable input, you can quickly turn it into a Task and have your team action it without switching tabs from the whiteboard.
Collaboration is a such great leveler in that it urges introverts and extroverts to be on the same page and contribute to work almost equally. It’s the perfect opportunity to carpe diem that extroverted side at work!
Practice active listening
Many introverts—and extroverts—struggle with asking clarifying questions, wondering if they make you sound silly. In fact, asking questions, paraphrasing, or summarizing points discussed are the hallmarks of active listeners.
These show you’re genuinely interested in the conversation and attentive, bringing that much-needed meaning to your talks.
The next time you’re in a chat with a colleague, you can ask, “So, what I hear you saying is that we need more data before we can make a decision, right?” or you can highlight the key takeaways and relay it back to them.
These more minor actions in the workplace build better communication and relationships—something that you already know extroverts tend to enjoy.
Strengthen the social skills you already have
Read on if you’re an introvert tired of being confused for a recluse. You already have social skills—it could be one-on-one conversations, written communication, or simply cracking jokes at social gatherings.
It’s just a matter of elevating these to be more extroverted at work without your mental health taking a hit.
Engage with your team in a way you’re already comfortable with. This will help you build the confidence to navigate through slightly more complex social situations. This trick also lets people see your true self without the pressure of becoming a social butterfly.
Maximize your social energy
No, we don’t mean exhausting yourself during the workday—only to be completely drained when you log out. Your expendable energy is limited, especially when expressing your extroverted side. It’s best to use it optimally instead of going all out.
One great way to recharge your batteries is to take a break when you feel strained. If you can grab a colleague for some small talk over a cuppa, that would be even better! But no rule says you can’t enjoy coffee by yourself!
When you feel overwhelmed by your workload, deploy Brain to do the heavy lifting. Do you want your meeting notes summarized? It can do that! Want to improve the tone of your email? It can do that, too!
Brain turns voice notes into text, helping you capture key points from meetings or Clips. You can easily create detailed meeting reports and manage customer data.
Turn to AI to help boost your extroverted side—at least some bits of it!
The Power of Introversion in the Workplace
Introverts may not be the loudest voices in the room, but the calm they bring to crazy work situations cannot be overstated. Their excellent listening skills, which allow them to listen to others’ perspectives, make them a blessing to most teams.
Deep thinking is another forte of most introverts, allowing them to excel in tasks requiring high concentration levels and thoughtful problem-solving. In a world that favors extroversion, introverts make their unique mark, bringing focus and thoughtful insight to their teams.
A good way to encourage this deep thinking and careful planning is to have a small nook for themselves—physically and digitally. If you’re an introvert, you can greatly benefit from creating your own workspace with Private Views. This is excellent for especially INTPs and INFPs.
Another nifty little trick is using the Calendar View to stay on your schedule. This view gives a clear, visual layout of deadlines and events, helping you organize time effectively.
You can adjust the view to fit your daily, weekly, monthly, or custom needs. This flexibility caters to different project demands and personal preferences, streamlining your workflow.
For even more precision and clarity, there’s the Timeline View. It lets you see a detailed, chronological breakdown of tasks, milestones, and dependencies.
Break larger projects into smaller, manageable steps, reducing stress and maintaining control over your workload. Clear timelines also provide a solid framework for efficient planning, helping you stay organized and focused on delivering high-quality work.
By combining your critical thinking with these organizational tools, introverts like you can continue to contribute meaningfully and stay productive without the pressure of constant social engagement.
Tips for Sustaining Extroverted Behaviors
Striking a balance between extroverted and introverted behaviors can be tricky, but it’s achievable with consistent effort and self-awareness.
Here are some tips to help make extroverted habits feel natural in your routine.
Practice regularly to make new habits stick
Like any new skill, adopting extroverted behaviors requires practice. Start with small, manageable steps, such as initiating brief conversations with colleagues or participating in discussions during meetings. As you engage in these behaviors more frequently, they will start to feel more natural.
Over time, the effort you put into speaking up, offering ideas, and engaging with others will become ingrained. Consistency is essential—the more you push yourself to engage, the easier it becomes.
So, make it a habit to practice regularly, even if it’s just a few minutes of conversation each day.
🧠 Fun Fact: Extroverts’ brains are more responsive to dopamine, a neurotransmitter linked to reward and pleasure. This heightened sensitivity makes social interactions and new experiences particularly rewarding for them.
Take breaks to recharge when needed
Being extroverted doesn’t mean you have to be “on” all the time. After social interactions, it’s essential to take breaks and recharge.
For introverted types like INTJs and INFJs, sustained social interactions can quickly drain energy. Recognizing when to step back and recharge is essential for maintaining balance.
Whether it’s a few minutes of solitude or focusing on individual tasks, giving yourself time to reset will help you stay energized for future interactions.
Balancing extroverted actions with introverted recharge time is key to avoiding burnout and maintaining overall well-being.
Managing Introversion and Extroversion in the Workplace With
The idea isn’t to get you to change your personality entirely but to balance your introverted and extroverted behaviors at the workplace. With this balance comes the ability to enhance your professional interactions without feeling overwhelmed.
Remember, becoming more extroverted at work is gradual through consistency and self-awareness. With the right mindset and tools, you can engage more confidently, build stronger relationships, and excel in your role while still honoring your natural energy levels.
Relying on a platform like can help you ease into this process better with tools to aid you in brainstorming or tackling feedback later. And it’s a bonus to sort out the work with your team, too!
Ready to help your extroverted side? Start using for free today and get started on your projects, both personal and professional.
Everything you need to stay organized and get work done.
