By Daniel Bobinski
Some coworkers are tall, others are short. We have different eye colors and skin pigmentations, too. Obviously, these differences exist because of unique genetics, but did you know that genetic differences are also the cause of extraversion and introversion?
When discussing personality styles among people, it’s not uncommon to hear extraverts say they wish their introverted coworkers would be more engaged and talk a little more. Of course, the opposite also occurs. Introverts will sometimes say they wish their extraverted coworkers would tone down their intensity.
In truth, wishing for people to change their extraversion or introversion style is like wishing a person was taller or shorter. That change isn’t going to happen. Why? Because research shows that those different facets of our cognitive style occur because of our brain’s unique electro-chemical composition.
One of the main differences in extraverts and introverts is how their brains process dopamine. Every new experience is accompanied by a release of dopamine. If your brain processes dopamine easily, it’s like your brain can’t seem to get enough of it, so you crave new interactions and new, different situations. Extraverts love the dopamine rush. It gives their brains a euphoric happiness. Thus, people with this brain chemistry thrive on new experiences and meeting new people.
People with brains that do not process dopamine quickly tend to be introverts. Because dopamine is released with every new encounter or activity, dopamine overloads occur in relatively short order for these people. This overload actually causes physical discomfort. Thus, introverts tend to avoid new situations or places with a lot of people.
Another chemical that impacts our tendency towards extraversion or introversion is the neurotransmitter acetylcholine. Different than dopamine, the presence of acetylcholine enables feelings of calm focus. Both dopamine and acetylcholine provide a sense of reward, but the different ways our brains process those neurotransmitters results in different cognitive styles.
If your brain processes information through a longer acetylcholine pathway, you’ll tend to enjoy a calm, internal peace if you steer clear of stimulating external activities. This manifests outwardly as introversion. But if your brain processes acetylcholine quickly, then you tend to be attracted to new and exciting things. The result is extraversion.
Knowing these things helps with emotional intelligence. Just like we wouldn’t criticize someone for their height or their eye color, we shouldn’t criticize people for the different ways their brains process dopamine or acetylcholine.
One vital key in exercising emotional maturity is valuing differences instead of criticizing them. We always have a choice. Every style has strengths, and we always do better when we choose to value strengths.
Whether you’re an extravert or an introvert, know that those who process differently than you are likely to see workplace problems a little differently than you do, too. By working with those perspectives instead of against them, it’s more likely you’ll find better solutions. With that mindset, you can go beyond merely valuing the differences; you can capitalize on them.
Daniel Bobinski is the author of the best-selling book, “Creating Passion-Driven Teams,” and president of Leadership Development, Inc. He’s been helping organizations of all shapes and sizes since 1989. Learn more at www.eqfactor.net or reach him at DanielBobinski@protonmail.com or 208-649-6400.
