The Power of Introverts

Teacher! My child doesn't like to speak in class at all. What should I do?

Parents often ask us if there is something wrong with their children when observing classes or during parent-teacher conferences, noticing that their kids rarely speak or express themselves.

I always tell parents that silence does not mean shyness, nor does it imply inability or weakness. Sometimes, it is a mode of learning and thinking—or more simply put, a preference and a choice. We often say, "He is so introverted," which can sometimes carry a negative connotation, almost sounding like, "He is socially awkward, doesn't know how to communicate, has an odd personality, and is a bit aloof."

Introversion Is a Personality Trait

Introversion is simply a personality trait. A so-called personality trait represents how one responds to external things or incoming information; there is no inherent good or bad, only different ways of manifestation.

For example: with a potato, you can steam it, boil it, fry it, or roast it. There is no absolute best way, only different choices.

In fact, many great, transformative leaders were introverts.

Figures like Roosevelt and Gandhi described themselves as introverted, quiet, soft-spoken, and even shy. They stood under the spotlight not because they loved giving orders or sought the center of attention; they became leaders out of a sense of mission, fully aware that it was what needed to be done. People could clearly sense that they led not out of a desire for glory, but out of a sense of responsibility driving them to do what they believed was right.

First, we must understand the difference between introversion and shyness.

Introversion Is Not Shyness

Introversion is not shyness; shyness is the inability to withstand social scrutiny.

Introversion is more about how you respond to the outside world. Extroverts need a lot of stimulation, but introverts are the opposite: they are sensitive to their internal feelings and actually perform best when they are not in the limelight. There are occasional exceptions, but this is generally the case. Therefore, the key is to maximize everyone's strengths, putting the right talent in the right place so everyone can fulfill their role.

Public Perceptions of Introversion

So why does introversion generally carry a negative perception in society?

Everyone has different ways of absorbing information, processing messages, and expressing themselves. However, due to societal bias, our most crucial institutions—schools and workplaces—seem designed for extroverts, providing vast amounts of stimulation to everyone. I call this unwritten social convention the "New Groupthink," which binds all imagination and creativity to a clustered group.

For example, teachers love to ask in class:

— — What do you think?

— — What are your thoughts?

— — What do you think they said?

— — Why do you think that way?

Teachers always want students to "speak up" because it is the most time-saving and efficient way. Yet as educators, we often block out other possibilities for expressing ideas. Humans are social animals; we cannot avoid socializing forever or stay completely away from the bustle of the world. We still need to let others know our thoughts to keep society functioning. That is why in our classes, a project report can be: an essay, an individual mini-project, a poster presentation, a one-on-one interview, a public speech, or a group presentation. We respect the personality differences of every student and hope they will complete their work and assignments in their own way.

However!!!

This does not mean we should stop collaborating altogether from now on.

The 16 MBTI Personality Types

In recent classes, I shared the 16 MBTI personality types with students, explaining that Type E (Extrovert) and Type I (Introvert) exist on a spectrum rather than being absolute values.

Extroverted personalities need to learn how to reflect during solitary and quiet moments, while introverts need to learn how to express and present themselves in front of crowds. By learning from each other to complement their abilities and respecting others' thinking styles, they will be better equipped to seek assistance or lead others down the road of life—much like how Steve Wozniak and Steve Jobs worked together to found Apple.

Therefore, we always teach our students:

To respect others, learn from others, express themselves properly, and no longer feel inferior or sad because of their personality.

Every single one of us is an irreplaceable and unique being.