When recruiting for Finance professional roles in your business, do you seek Extroverts or Introverts? That decision is often based on myths about each personality.
Let's look at some of these myths - Are introverts and extroverts really that different?
Myth 1 - Introverts avoid social interactions
Social interaction is one of the things that makes us human. Research has shown that introverts spend just as much time talking as extroverts do. However, after prolonged periods of social interaction, introverts may need to recharge and reflect on their thoughts.
Myth 2 - Extroverts are leaders, Introverts are followers
Famous Extrovert Leaders: Winston Churchill, Teddy Roosevelt, Steve Jobs, George W. Bush, Muhammad Ali, Margaret Thatcher.
Famous Introvert Leaders: Bill Gates, Rosa Parks, Abraham Lincoln, Mahatma Gandhi, Barack Obama.
Both introverts and extroverts can excel as leaders, depending on who they are leading. Extroverts tend to do better when they have a passive team because they tend to be more assertive and appear to be more enthusiastic.
Introverts are better at leading proactive personalities. This is because introverts thrive on listening to ideas and considering options.
Myth 3 - Extroverts are bad listeners
Extroverts can be fantastic listeners. They're energized by social interactions with others and are good at asking open-ended questions, which encourages others to talk.
Myth 4 - Extroverts are better Finance professionals than introverts
Ambiverts actually make the best Finance professionals.
Extroverts can be too dominant and introverts can be too reserved. Ambiverts can be neither or both. They can alternate between being in the limelight and being backstage. They'll happily pitch, but are willing to listen.
Of course, all comments made here are based on the extremes. Most people fall somewhere on the ambivert scale. After all, is anyone ever really just one thing?
A question you must ask your Recruiter or Executive Search Firm is what type of interview questions do they ask? Are they equipped to help you find the right fit?