No Market for Introverts - We Have to Be Out There and That's That

 Trends, despite being trends not fads, come and go. Lately the trend for favoring extroverts has resurfaced.

"Have a friend deciding between PW corporate and STB corporate as an incoming 2L summer. Wants to be at the firm with the healthier culture and leans more extroverted."

That's a posting on Fishbowl Big Law. The votes on the network are in favor of PW, that is Paul Weiss, which is seen as cool (versus suit) and where the folks are, yes, extroverts.

I would add that the odds of holding onto the job, that is not being laid off, could be better at Paul Weiss. That is because the firm is known for extreme success in new business development. And, that protects jobs. 

Rainmaking primarily happens through in-person networking. And that requires the ability to be out there. In an Insider interview Paul Weiss chair Brad Karp noted that he would schedule three back-to-back business breakfasts in Manhattan restaurants.

Let's get pragmatic. Sure, there had been a trend championing the attributes of introverts. That kicked off in 2013 with the manifesto book "The Power of Introverts" by Susan Cain. But even back then those who labeled themselves as "introverts" still apologized for not being more engaged with us. 

Currently, essentially the market has turned against the introvert. The personality type is being positioned and packaged as lacking in social skills. And Emotional Intelligence, it has been recognized, can be more critical to the success of the organization than performance on cognitive tasks. 

For instance, on Reddit Career Guidance yesterday, the post headline read:

"My boss told me I don't give him enough eye contact." 

Think about it. Do you want to transact your important business with the front lines of a business through someone not-enough-out-there?

Trust stays on-hold because we can't size up that person. In my coaching, temporary contract workers who were "too quiet" were forced out. I noted they could be suspected to be spies or rats. That is, they are not part of the group. That is not where you need to be. 

I instructed them that in the next assignment they have to figure out the culture - probably it will be gregarious - and blend in. Nonono, it's not enough to simply do the work. Bluntly put, that is a defensive move. Being on the offense is through the soft skills. 

Sure, there is a place for introverts such as the brilliant brief writer in a law firm or the genius book author. But, even they have to self-promote or enlist those who will move the dial on their becoming a known brand, then growing that aura.

LinkedIn is a microcosm of the need to celebrate oneself as a personal brand or having followers do the digital heavy lifting. 

Takeaway: In this competition to get, keep and move on to better work the extrovert will probably win. The introvert could sit in the dust sad-faced, wondering what the hell hit them.

Work is a social context.

2023. The way through the uncertainty, AI disruptions and need to conserve financial resources is to be proactive and a lot smarter. That ranges from your organizational communications to career issues.  Complimentary consultation with award-winning marketing communications crafter and coach Jane Genova. (For appointments text 203-468-8579 or janegenova374@gmail.com)