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Taryn Hughes
Berlin, (From The Us)
Germany

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What are some optimal professions for introverts?

Since introverts don't hate people, but merely choose to recharge and reflect by oneself, which professions allow plenty of room for solitary contemplation and reward the true innovation that rises out of that?

Related Talks:

Susan Cain: The power of introverts

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Kris Rosvold
- +1
May 25 2012: Taryn, Nice Question...
I don't know that there is an "optimal" profession for one of the wide variety of us introverts. I have done many things in my life from the highly technical (US Navy Electronics Technician) to the artistic fields (usually involving cooking or painting houses). I suspect that unless you select something which is a profession that requires an extrovert (say politician, sales lead generator), the optimal situation is one which YOU create. The highly technical fields work well for me because my job requires me to think and analyze and identify the "problems" presented by the equipment and/or operators. The key for me is finding a niche where I have the luxury of setting my own schedule and pace of work. I also make an active choice to like what I choose to do... This gives me the interest and drive to learn about the details. So for me it's more a case of making sure my boss/partner knows what I need and proving to them that I am self motivated, this gives them the leeway to let me have the recharge time that I need. But the key to it all, for me, is making the choice to do what I love AND, the choice to love what I do.
Jorge Contreras
- 0
May 24 2012: Very good question, Im sure you know the feeling of been surrounded by people but yet alone? I feel like many artistic minds have the power to share their best skills doing what they do best for example at playing guitar player, flamenco dancing, horse training, visual artists can be in total concentration and inner conection these people are able to express so much, with their artistic talents they brake the regular forms of comunication.
we are energy and if we voluntary choose for retreat we must understand that solitude is the worse punishment for a human been.
Russell Richard
- +1
May 23 2012: This question is well meaning, and a step in the right direction. But, I am afraid that many people, mostly extroverts, will read this question incorrectly. The way it is worded makes introversion sound like a disability or a disease. You could also ask;

What are some optimal professions for people with no feet? Since people with no feet are not immobile, they just choose to limit their mobility to activities in which they are comfortable, which professions allow plenty of room for stationary work and the innovation that rises out of that?

It is as if desiring solitary reflection is some kind of a burden that these people must live with and work around.

If you are an avid consumer of TED talks, Aimee Mullins will tell you that not having feet is not the disability that people think it is. Similarly, not being extroverted is not the disability people think it is. Aimee uses her lack of biological feet to her advantage in ways that make us standard footed people jealous. Introverted people can use their penchant for solitary contemplation and reflection in ways that should make extroverted people green with envy.

The answer to your question is that all professions are optimal. A more useful question is: How can we inform the extroverted majority that introverted people offer extraordinary strengths in ways that can be easily drawn upon?
- Taryn Hughes 20+
  - +1
  May 27 2012: Lovely insight Russell. "Introverted people can use their penchant for solitary contemplation and reflection in ways that should make extroverted people green with envy."
Victoria Folks
- +3
May 23 2012: I notice that most people have cited their own profession as the optimal profession for introverts, but as an introvert I still see some challenges in those fields. I don't think its a problem for introverts to find an optimal profession, but to find a way to succeed in any profession they choose when there's an obvious advantage to being an extrovert. There are many professions that are perfect for an introvert like me, but in a country where the ideal is to be extroverted there are many opportunities that I may not get offered because I don't "stand out" as much as the extrovert. The optimal profession for an introvert must be anything that allows them to be alone, but more importantly something that they can accomplish at a superior level, in order for the quality of their work to reflect their skill, rathern than self-promotion.
- Russell Richard
  - +2
  May 23 2012: And this has always bothered me. Especially in school, the students who are best in group situations are more highly recognized for their abilities than an introvert. The extrovert might not actually be better at or more passionate about the subject, but the introvert is less vocal, and therefore less likely to be recognized for their success.
  
  The extrovert will say that selling yourself is an important skill too. I have to ask, why? Because extroverts say so? I understand that extroverts are in the majority, but making extroversion a necessary skill for success in all subjects stunts our growth as a society by at least partially disregarding the contributions that some very insightful people can offer.
walkinthe spiritofthings
- 0
May 21 2012: electronics, gardening, proof reading, facebooker
Heather White 10+
- +3
May 20 2012: Because introversion is a minority trait in humans (about 20%), and because it is often confused with shyness, many unconfident (shy) extroverts consider themselves to be introverted. Likewise, many social introverts don't understand their need for solitude because they enjoy social activities. The only true test is if you need considerable solitude to "recover" from social exposure (whether you enjoyed the social exposure or not). Dorothy Rowe, the Australian Psychologist, writes about introversion and extroversion in her many books. Another useful author is Elaine N. Aron, the American psychotherapist who investigated the traits of Highly Sensitive People.

I used to consider myself to be an extravert. I only realised I was a social introvert when I found I couldn't take the strain of being around people - even though I enjoyed, and needed, some social contact. I need six hours per day (the whole evening) to regain my equilibrium after social exposure.

I volunteer part time as a cook/housekeeper and I'm a beekeeper as well. I'd like to get to the position of being a full time beekeeper - much less social interaction.
- Russell Richard
  - +1
  May 23 2012: I agree. The stigma that there are just some things that introverts can’t do is falsely based on the confusion between introversion and shyness. An extrovert is socially simple; more is better. Also, extroverts are much more common in the human race and they are socially dominant. So, it is easy for an extrovert to lump the two kinds of rare people together (shy and introverted) based on the one trait that they share, which is the thought that more social interaction is not always better.
  
  Introverts are like left-handed people. There are fewer of them and it often surprises people of the majority when they come across one. Also, like left-handedness, introversion is considered undesirable, or even evil, because the people of the majority don’t know how to react to it or deal with it.
Max Lemberger
- 0
May 20 2012: Become a self employed 'handyperson'. I get to fix things and not try to fix people. I work alone and often in vacant houses. It pays very well for part time work because people don't know how to fix things.
David Grammer
- +1
May 20 2012: It's no more possible to blanket categorize introverts than it is any other group. Each individual will have the need to express themselves differently. Using myself as an example, I am very shy and introverted. I'm also an actor since that gives me a forum to express myself while ostensibly hiding behind a character. I tell people the truth about who I am and they think I'm acting. Not the stereotypical profession for an introvert perhaps, but it is mine.
Rhona Pavis 50+
- 0
May 18 2012: I would suggest sales.
Sean Brother
- 0
May 18 2012: In my opinion, it isn't a matter of that or those ways of being, but of willing and feeling good doing things. If one is able to feel oneself making something, bussiness will be good.
But, however, if one enjoys doing something, everything is going to go well and the time seem to stop and the result will be good.
Stuart Woods 10+
- 0
May 17 2012: Any job which involves crafts or hand-making objects.

I read somewhere that the craftsperson is the introvert of the artist. Here's an example:
In a recent local work for the Olympics called The Boat Project (search for it if you want to be amazed) deployed both a craftsman and an artist to create a boat from donated pieces of wood for the 2012 cultural Olympiad in London . The concept of the work (the artist) was interesting but it was (for me) by far outweighed by the sheer beauty, depth and meaning which came from how it was formed, such mastery in its construction. A work of love .Here the craftsman left alone to think, work and create, produced an object beyond imagining. So I'd say to an artistic/creative introvert- change the world (or at least our view of what matters within it) and be a craftsperson.
Paola Buoso 50+
- +5
TED Translator

May 16 2012: Loved Susan Talk and her book. Would be lovely to translate it into Italian. I am a translator and I am an introvert as well. Translation requires solitude :) words and meanings are your best companions.
Chika Kiezmann
- +3
May 16 2012: I'm an introvert freelance translator. I have no bosses and no colleagues. I work on my own at home, and am perfectly happy. As a translator I can always learn new things from different sources. It is interesting and exciting without social turbulence. When I do want to socialize, I just go out with my close friends or enjoy online chat. For me it's ideal.
Gurinder Ahluwalia 10+
- 0
May 16 2012: Introverts prefer to journey inward than outward. Meeting new people could be more rewarding than engaging with one's own-self every time. I would say best profession for 'introverts' could be centuries old profession of inventors. Invent something so that the world remembers you gratefully always. For instance look for a Facebook substitute.
- Luciano Borges
  - +2
  May 16 2012: I agree with you in many ways. For me there is no better experience than know people, of all kinds. But that is the way I am. However, I believe that each person and each life are singularities. At some point, no general rule cna be applied. With regards to the easynessof being a writer or an engineer, I also think it is very relative. There is only one Shakespeare as well an Albert Einstein. To be remembered by mankind means to offer a very special, outstanding and durable contribution. but it is not easy, both fro a writer or a ingenious inventor. so, whta I believe is essential is that each person dedicates to understand better his/hers own "singularity" and developed it fully. In the end, this could be the very purpose of life and people. Finally, despite the respect all the introverts deserves and human beings, I agree with you that, beyoond any doubt, one way to "live the max" is to live in harmony and freedom, without masks. with as many people as we can.
  - Gurinder Ahluwalia 10+
    
    0
    May 16 2012: I agree live the max without masks. Superb, Thanks
    - Luciano Borges
      
      0
      
      May 16 2012: You're welcome!
Luciano Borges
- +1
May 15 2012: There are writers and writers. For example, when I have to write a note to my secretary or one of my employees, I have something to write: a short message, usually - but it does not make me a writer. If anyone that have "something" to write is a writer, so I am glad to be one. But the point here is not play with words. Introversion is the subject. And I am still convinced that writing could be a good profession for an introverted person. writer is one that came to my mind, but there are others, for sure. Fortunately there are many talented introverted people delivering amazing pieces of work. We can quote many examples, I've just tried to express my opinion in a single word, and now we are here writing so many words... Unfortunately, I need to go back to my spreadsheets and reports... Cheers!
Loren Trimble
- 0
May 15 2012: Science! There is a booming professional field of laboratory scientists and technicians, who primarily work in small groups or individually to complete lab tasks, run procedures, design and test new techniques, etc.

I have worked with several of these lab technicians and they do excellent work, focus on details, and as long as you let them know ahead of time that your going to be coming by, then they are great to work with.
Feyisayo Anjorin 50+
- +2
May 15 2012: Introverts could be good writers,editors,architects,computer programmers and music composers(not performers); developing most of the skills requires solitude(but not neccessarily an extreme withdrawal from the society).But what if an introvert's interest does not fall into any of the listed fields? An introvert should follow her/his heart, for if one is passionate about one's profession,one would make sacrifices when neccessary to give it the attention and discipline it deserves, even despite one's personality, either as an extrovert or as an introvert.
As an actor,I'm an introvert, but on film sets,auditions,film festivals and premieres,I just have to go with the flow.
If a fan sees me,I cant act like an introvert because of societal expectation of an actor's code of conduct.
pranoy sundar 20+
- +3
May 14 2012: is there an optimal profession for extroverts?
how is profession and ones character related. as i know, all introverts are not alike and they dont have the same interests. the optimal profession for a person will depend on what are his/her intrests and what are they passionate about.
Luciano Borges
- 0
May 13 2012: Writer...
- pat gilbert 50+
  - 0
  May 14 2012: Writers that are worthy of the name have lived life to the max
  - Luciano Borges
    
    +2
    May 15 2012: Well... you've raised two interesting questions: (1) what is "live the life to max"? and (2) Can't an introvert live the life to max? In first place, what means live the life to the max: is a sensorial experience or a sensitive journey? Is it about quantity or quality? Doing or observing? Releasing or setting free? What kind of space a writer shall explore? If "to live life to the max" means an intense "sensual" experience, in psychoanalytic meaning, don't it seems to be too absorbing to left room for the task of writing? Besides, I think that even the "life-intensive" writters need a lot of introspection to tell teir stories. It seems to me that even the most extroverted person needs an "introversion period" to became a writer. No matter what the kind of experience, sentiment or idea he/she intends to put in writing. May be I am wrong, but I've seem lots o people who had all kinds of intense experiences that they are not able to transmit to the others with art and feeling, simply because they didn't understood their own doings. What I call experience is about one's processing the his/her own doings, observations and sensations in the higher levels of conscience. and emotions. A writer would be someone capable to transmit the result of this process with art and style. May be I am wrong, but I still believe that introspection is one necessary (not sufficient) condition to be a writer, may be not. Let's leave the life the better we like and feel. There is something else about being a writer, the master of the language. it is obvious I can't be writer in English, so accept in advance mh apologies for any language mistakes.
    - pat gilbert 50+
      
      0
      
      May 15 2012: Luciano
      
      Your over thinking it. A writer has to have something to write about. More often than not they have had a lot of experiences to write about.
    - Gurinder Ahluwalia 10+
      
      0
      
      May 16 2012: Hi Luciano, Its good to see your views about 'live to max'. please see my humble attempt at resolving this riddle. Well firstly the phrase applies strictly at a personal level. A person who wish to live life to max would have defined her/his 'max' level. I am not sure if Shakespeare did get to live to max. Listening to Steve jobs's address on Ted, i felt as if he also did not think that he lived to max although in my opinion he certainly did. Personally i think that writing profession is overrated. Writing is easier than inventing a combustion engine or building pyramids of Giza or creating a google.
Isi Abebe
- 0
May 13 2012: Philosophy.
Taryn Hughes 20+
- +3
May 13 2012: Thanks for all the soulful and thoughtful responses. I've loved reading all of your commentaries and will keep checking back to hear more. Hopefully other members of the TED community have benefited from this discussion as well.
pat gilbert 50+
- 0
May 12 2012: Wouldn't be easier just to become an extrovert?
- Gloria R Hamilton
  - +2
  May 13 2012: It definitely would not be easier to become an extrovert - and I speak from a lifetime of experience.
  - pat gilbert 50+
    
    0
    May 14 2012: Fwiw I found toastmasters to be quite extroverting.
Ed Schulte 50+
- 0
May 12 2012: Taryn

If you are still around?

There are many aspec to this subject "Intro - Extro" and most were not touched on by Susan Cain ...nor the the others in the popular book industry currently on the shelves

Firstly your "Since introverts don't hate people,"

It must be understood that an introvert ...and I add here the 'other' word used for this HUman behavior "Shy" are IN FACT people with Large / Active Egos. No, Shy/Intro do not hate but lets keep it clear that we shy/intro-ego do contract from social intercourse because the Ego feels threated / uncomfortable ...or just down right 'too precious' to come out and dance and dance of Life.

Re your "but merely choose to recharge and reflect by oneself, ".believe me here the "going in" is just as often a process which sucks large amouts of energy ( most likely by the Pain Body) until the even the Ego can no longer cope with the process. Also ....the 'reflection' process you point to could very likely be "self-pittying" and that is biggest Pain Body builder of all!!

And finally re: "which professions allow plenty of room for solitary contemplation and reward the true innovation that rises out of that? "

As I mentioned long ago here ....innovation comes from the Higher Self / that which is the Intelligence source in HUmans ...and that has nothing to do wih finding a quet place to sit by oneself......quit the opposite ...Higher Self is happy and most productive when it can be out in the Dance of Life.

And that is where this incorrect idea that eventually "introverts" are the more creative..arrises..."that is an outside - looking in" conclusion....If this occur what is realyy happeing is ........Life/fate will veventually DRAG that Invert out in what looks like a 'BIG BANG' switch which is in fact nothing more that The Higher Self doing some catching UP!!

Nietzsche "fate leads those who will...those who wont..it drags!!"

The ego soon realizes what life chalange it will have to face, it doesn't always like it!
La Vergne Rosow
- +1
May 12 2012: I prefer a quiet evening with one or two friends over a big gathering with people shouting over one another. And I very much enjoy time alone. I am never lonely. I think that identifies me as an introvert.

Variety is key. That is, it would be no fun at all to keep doing the same thing over and over.

Though I enjoy teaching, even very large classes, I would be miserable in a bull-pen office design.

Reading and then writing about books is very pleasurable for me.
Brent Wasylynchuk
- +1
May 12 2012: I consider myself an introvert. I studied Chemistry and Philosophy. I thought solitary research would be nice. Now I am a teacher, because I found that tutoring and small class disscussions energized me. I went with what made me feel alive!
Gord G 30+
- +2
May 11 2012: A product tester for the Cone of Silence or a house sitter in a space station.

But seriously, since no one is strictly an introvert or an extrovert, they should find a profession they enjoy.
Annette White
- +7
May 11 2012: I think that there is still some confusion about extraversion/introversion here. I would agree that not all introverts are shy but most do not revel in social interaction for its own sake. Personally I had a tendency towards shyness but was encouraged to 'use my talents' by sensitive parenting. Being 'shy' was seen as self indulgent!
An ideal profession for an introvert is one which requires a reflective individual who is paid to express an expert opinion and can spend time preparing the ground for each planned interaction. I would place myself in that category. I work as a paid consultant in a field which is in the public sector. I am working for the greater good am focused on the bigger picture and preferred futures and spend about half of my time alone preparing researching and marshalling the information and the other half working intensively with one other or with small groups coaching and advising on how to bring that about or counterintuitivley for those who believe that 'performance is ony for the extrovert' delivering training and development acivities which needs to be entertaining because some of the stuff I train on is difficult to deal with- get em laughing to open up the ears. The alone time which follows supports recovery from the intensive interactions and the 'being paid to give advice' ensures that the thoughtful approach is appreciated and contributions honoured. i can identify with the actors, the psychology professionals and counsellors - we don't do the small talk well - we like to deal with the stuff that matters and we need to know that we make a difference.
- Taryn Hughes 20+
  - 0
  May 13 2012: Annette, interesting point regarding "shy" being seen as "self indulgent!" Care to elaborate?
  - Annette White
    
    +5
    May 13 2012: My family had an outward facing, 'make a difference in the world' , philosophy.Being shy meant you were focused too much on what other people might think. Family mottos:-
    "That which is held firmly within the attention of the mind will one day become actual in experience."
    "You are as good as anyone else, brighter than most and you have a duty to live up to that"
    And 'To succeed is to be different' Not much sympathy was on offer for the self conscious shy introvert ! For which I am very grateful- in retrospect.
    We grew up with ' Desiderata' on the kitchen wall and argued philosophy and morality over dinner.
    I discovered fairly young that getting out there and being 'part of the dance' was worth the discomfort of exposure. I would liken it to diving into freezing cold river water, it takes courage but once you are in, the water is lovely and the experience is worth the initial pain.Afterwards you need to recover and recharge ready for the next plunge. in my experience , nothing is worse than sitting back and wishing ' if only...
    - Taryn Hughes 20+
      
      +3
      
      May 15 2012: Annette, I loved this. Actually I even used it in my women's workshop last night, proposing the question "Is shyness self-indulgent?" The women agreed it is. It was our gateway to deeper work regarding social responsibility to get our talents out in the world and practicing giving / receiving compliments. Ooooeeee there was some wiggling going on throughout that activity.
      
      Thanks for the expansion on this conversation.
      
      best,
      Taryn
- Jason Pounds
  - +1
  May 13 2012: " we don't do the small talk well - we like to deal with the stuff that matters and we need to know that we make a difference,"
  
  Well put! I feel the alone time I enjoy as an introvert allows me to deeply analyze problems, and solutions. Any environment that encourages critical thought and mediation seems most suitable for introverts.
- Luciano Borges
  - +1
  May 16 2012: Superb! Nothing better an opinion of someone commited with the subject. Agree enterily. Introversion or extroversion does not have anything about talent or the so called "success" (for me success is a state of spirit, not being admired by third prats, but by ourselves).
Scott Goodman
- +2
May 9 2012: What happened to this nice little question?!?

"...hate people..." and "...like people..."?

"Introverts...are rarely distracted." ?!?

Race ?!?

"An introvert would never be a 'Teacher'." ?!? Wrong. Wrong. Wrong.

"...extremely introverted, yet...I...a psychologist." ?!? Really?!? Are you kidding?

==========================================
Susan Cain's brief speech was okay, but her book is more substantive and probably more useful: "Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking".

For real substance, TED needs to invite Elaine Aron - author of "The Highly Sensitive Person:" - to give a TED Talk. Aron might offer some useful info:

-- The term "introvert" is ambiguous, biased, and probably should be avoided.

-- A more useful term may be "highly sensitive" or 'high-sensing'. Fifteen to twenty percent of ALL mammal species populations have highly sensitive (specialized) nervous systems that respond more readily to sensory stimulation. In Aron's words: the extroverts are like "warrior kings", the louder, front-end, charge-ahead types; the high-sensing people are the "royal advisor" class, the wise counsellors and teachers behind the scenes who measure twice and cut once.

High-sensing antelopes, for example, are the ones most vigilant for lions, jackals, cheetahs and the like. High sensing antelopes not only seldom get eaten, but by their own finely tuned sensory / nervous system responses, they warn the less vigilant antelopes to start running!

-- Many high-sensing people are, in fact, introverted (70%), but not always. Many successful introverts gravitate to helping professions such as teaching and counselling. NOT ALL INTROVERTS ARE SHY!

-- Shyness is a situation-specific social behaviour arising from fear. It is learned. No one is born "shy".
- Nisrin Boudad
  - +2
  May 17 2012: What a coincidence , Im actually in the middle of reading The Highly Sensitive Person and I can honestly say nothing regarding personality has ever had such a large impact on me. It almost feels as if it is describing me specifically,thats how dead on so many of Aron's definitons and explanations of an HSP are. I was always dissatisfied with books or articles about Introverts because although I definitly lean towards that side, not all of it applies to me and I would even argue that the definiton of an introvert is quite simplistic in that it focuses soley on how a person is in a social context and says nothing about how he feels or thinks internally. Its the first thing Ive read on personality that actually makes me feel positive about the way I think ,feel and function rather than a freak of nature! Highly recommend reading this for anybody out there confused about their introverted/shy/ non social tendencies. It would be a thrill to see Aron do a TedTalk!
  - Scott Goodman
    
    +1
    May 18 2012: Hi Nisrin;
    
    Thank you for your response! I had the same experience as you while reading Aron's work: her description of HSP's - and introverts - was eerily perceptive. I too feel ultimately positive in general about my discovery of Aron (and Cain's book that recommended Aron's).
    
    While reading about the HSP nervous system differences and temperament description, I slowly realised that understanding myself as an HSP required no peculiar sub-types. The fit was nearly perfect. The pall of guilt and 'wrongness' began to lift almost immediately!
    
    I have to admit to being very ambivalent, though. For about four years, I had thought that I had some peculiar sub-type of ADHD! I had to challenge myself to reconsider that self-diagnosis, which had at least offered some helpful structure and advice to people who don't think like the majority.
    
    For many years before discovering Aron, I assumed that a rotten childhood totally explained what I can now understand as at least partly due to how HSP's were (and are) treated. Anger and sadness were thus mixed in with the pride and acceptance!
    
    The extroverted ideal: I remember studying leadership training manuals - written in the 1940's-70's for Commonwealth military officers - advising students to extinguish about a dozen personality traits and replace them with a corresponding opposite trait. One of the pairs directed us to rid ourselves of introversion and acquire an extroverted personality type!
    
    I'm glad that you're experiencing Aron's book in such a powerful way! If I may offer some advice: Do ALL of the reframing experience exercises in a very thorough way, but only at your own pace. If you're anything like me, there's a lot of emotions to come to terms with.
    
    Good luck Nisrin! We "royal advisors" have a right to be happy, listened to, and proud!
  - Scott Goodman
    
    0
    May 18 2012: Nisrin;
    
    Elaine Aron's website is great too. It's in the book's index:
    
    www.hsperson.com
    - Nisrin Boudad
      
      0
      
      May 27 2012: Will do,thanks!

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