A Look into Introvert Personality Type and Communication with them. A slide by Bishal Shrestha. Want to know more about us: www.jyaasa.com

1. A Look into Introvert Personality Type and
Communication with them.
Communication for
‘Nerds’
Bishal Shrestha
Bishal is a Front End Developer at Jyaasa
Technologies. He is passionate about
expression by means of language, sound,
visuals and aesthetics.
He can be reached at bishal@jyaasa.com

2. Communication
“ the imparting or exchanging of information by speaking, writing, or using
some other medium”
Everything is communication.
What we see is information what we hear is information signals, our
senses are Input devices streaming input signals which are then
interpreted into a representation for our brain in ‘runtime’.

3. Team
“ a group of people with a full set of complementary skills required to complete
a task, job, or a project ”
A team comprises of different types of people.
A team comprising of a similar type of members is technically not a
complete team.
Communication falls behind when there is a presumed assumptions.
Understanding of team members is vital to team performance.

4. Types of People
Introvert and Extrovert.
The division is based on Psychological Orientation and how a person
gains or drains energy.
Introverts gain energy in solitude and sparse but meaningful company,
drain energy after a lot of social interaction.
Extroverts gain energy in interactions with other people, drains energy
when left alone on their own.

5. An Extrovert World
We live in a society that celebrates the extrovert traits: loud,
extravagant, spontaneous.
Happiness is externally visible and perceived by external behaviours.
Association of success with extroversion.
Surprisingly, Elon Musk, Jack Dorsey, Larry Page, Warren Buffett, Jeff
Bezos, Bill Gates, Barack Obama, Mahatma Gandhi, Marissa Meyer,
Albert Einstein all identified themselves as being introverts.

6. Why most Techies are introverts
Majority of technical demographics identify themselves as introverts.
Introvert traits:
▸ Ability to focus and develop a depth of understanding
▸ Comfort with independent thought and action
▸ Active imagination and a strong creative streak
▸ Desire for knowledge, driven by curiosity
▸ Willingness to put other people and their vision in the spotlight

7. Introvert Traits ( Why most Techies are
Introvert )
1. Self-Effacing: Don’t want to be in spotlight. Willingness to put
other people and their vision in the spotlight. Which doesn’t mean
they don’t want to be in leadership positions. Jim Collins describes
Level 5 Leaders – Builds enduring greatness through a paradoxical
blend of humility and professional will. Described as quite, shy,
modest, reserved, shares or deflects credit.

8. Introvert Traits
2. Self-Reliant: “If you want it done, do it yourself” . Always trying to
do task on their own, in their own way. This explains why most of
the programmers prefer coding alone inside their cube.
2. Self-possessed: “having or showing control of one’s feelings,
behavior seen as composed and poised.” Extroverts like to talk
thoroughly to solve a problem, an introvert feels lost in their mind
when solving problems take a verbal route. They like to process
information internally instead of thinking out loud.

9. Introvert Traits
4. Self-reflective: Extroverts will ask “what do you think”, introverts
will first say “what do I think”. In the world celebrating ‘just do it’,
introverts are more likely to say ‘do it in a little while’. Introverts
value planning and do not like surprises on the way. Improvisation,
per se, is not their strong suite, they prefer a deliberate plan of
action.

10. Communicate Better with Introverts in a
Team
1. Don’t put them on the spot or demand immediate answer.
2. Give them adequate time to process information.
3. Ask intentionally during group discussions.
4. Avoid making assumptions or put out comments on how quiet or
lost the person is. Chances are they are formulating solutions in
their head.
5. Provide as much advanced information as possible. So that the
person can think through of what is expected.
6. Refrain from cutting off while they are speaking.

11. Useful Tips to Communicate Better
1. Communication is just a skill ( just like programming )
2. Listen
3. Empathize
4. Remember
5. Mind the Non Verbals
6. Stick to your strengths

12. Thank You !

13. Appendix
- Collins, Jim (2005), http://www.jimcollins.com/article_topics/articles/the-misguided-
mixup.html
- Buelow, Beth (2015), The Introvert Entrepreneur
- Cain, Susan (2012), Ted Talk, The Power of Introverts