Do you think your job suits your temperament? If not, what could you do to change things?
Created: 02/27/13
Replies: 13
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Posts: 0
Join Date: 04/16/12
Posts: 37
I think my job used to suit my temperament. I have always worked in computer programming or software engineering. When I was in college, I discovered that I enjoyed working alone with machinery and this seemed like the perfect fit. For some reason, companies think that the only way to promote an employee is to make them a manager - they have yet to figure out how to provide a career path for those who would much rather work alone and do technical work instead of manage. So as you gain business knowledge, they push you more and more into a leadership role. I have been functioning in this role for 7 years now and in part because of this, I plan on retiring this year. If the company would have allowed me to remain in a technical position, I would be much more likely to have stayed longer. I have tried over these last 7 years to change my role but the workplace does not seem to value people who want to work alone, so my solution is to retire.
Join Date: 10/15/10
Posts: 3442
BamaCarol. Some companies do get it - at least to some degree. My husband worked for Hewlett Packard for about 20 years and tells me that they had a promotion track that allowed engineers who preferred to be "individual contributors" to be promoted and paid accordingly, without having to go into management. But whether that option still exists I know not, as so much has changed at HP in the time since he left. I don't know where in the company's history they realized that this was a sensible thing to do but I think it was likely enhanced by widespread use of Myers-Briggs profiles, that helped management see that the individual talents of their group could be maximized by not assuming a one size fits all approach.
Join Date: 03/22/12
Posts: 353
I am retired now but when I worked I realize now that it was a misfit. I was a Human Resource Manager for many years dealing with hiring, firing, training etc. I was required to make many presentation and do a lot of public outreach and in general be "on' . This was stress producing and I was always tense.
Join Date: 09/06/12
Posts: 8
I am an introvert that works in constant proximity to the public and I mostly enjoy it. True, I do need to put on my "game face" at times, but don't most people at one time or another? Until I read Quiet, I didn't even realize how my job affected my home life. Because I spend so much time in face to face contact with people, I need decompression time when I get home. I used to have a commute of 40-60 minutes and used this time to "get back to myself". My current commute is 4 minutes, not nearly enough time to recharge. Still trying to adjust to this change, which is not always easy.
Join Date: 05/12/11
Posts: 34
I have always gravitated to libraries and yes, my job suits my temperment. I have always thought of myself as an introvert and the questionnaire in the introduction affirmed this. I do like the fact that the book emphasizes that being an introvert is not a sign of weakness or indifference to the outside world....it's just another way of approaching life.
Join Date: 01/12/12
Posts: 298
I'm a librarian, which is stereotypically a profession for introverts. But nothing could be further from the truth! We work on the front lines, answering questions and talking to people - usually one on one, though - all day. I also plan all the adult programs for my library. That means I have to contact and schedule everything (which I choose to do by email), plan out what's needed and write up the PR for the newsletter (good for me as a writer/introvert) but I also have to introduce speakers in front of the attendees and be there and fraternize with everyone there. After the program I'm there to talk to anyone who wants to make a comment about the program and also chat with the presenter(s) as they're packing up and getting ready to leave. My job is actually quite social. When I applied for it I knew that, and took the job partly because it would take me out of my comfort zone. After 8 years I can say I've given this particular position a fair shot (!) and I still don't like the social aspect. When I one day move on (librarian jobs are SCARCE) I'll look for another niche. What I'd love to be is an archivist (requires special schooling within the masters degree you have to have to be a librarian). All this to let you know this particular job isn't entirely as introverted as you may think.
Join Date: 10/20/10
Posts: 63
Join Date: 01/18/13
Posts: 2
lisag --- I'm a librarian too! I am in the school library world at a high school. I'm glad Lisa pointed out that librarians as introverts is a stereotype, although I am definitely an introvert. To remain an integral part of the school culture and academic discourse, school librarians have really had to become advocates for their programs and outspoken early adopters of technology. I love my job, but I do recognize that what I do pushes me to be more of an extrovert.
Join Date: 12/17/12
Posts: 206
Join Date: 01/12/12
Posts: 298
Aprild - Another librarian! We should have a secret handshake or something. When I was in H.S. our librarian wasn't "degreed" but she introduced me to some of my favorite writers. She was an extrovert who took the time to work with my introverted personality and taught me so much. I have so much respect for school librarians. But the profession isn't what most people think. I wish I could read all day like some believe we do!
Join Date: 03/04/13
Posts: 16
I'm another librarian and an introvert. I feel my job does suit me perfectly since I work in a small public library in the town where I grew up. I know many of our patrons and I'm very comfortable interacting with them. The only time I'm uncomfortable is when I have to do any public speaking!
Join Date: 05/12/11
Posts: 228
My job did suit my temperament. I was working with high-ranking military officers of other countries. My tendency to listen more than I talked was extremely helpful. The job also required a lot of deep-thought on resolving issues. I'm soft-spoken which helped tremendously with the Middle East culture.
Join Date: 12/03/11
Posts: 276
I am retired now, but when I worked, for many years my job suited my temperament. Then, like so many places, my employer caught the "everything must be done in teams" fever. I am much more productive and creative when working alone. I really dislike the (to me) rather false seeming team-building exercises. Fortunately, I got promoted into a technical director role, and became an adviser to teams, rather than an actual team member. Retirement suits me just fine. I can do what I want, when I want to do it.
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