To make the most of an introvert you must know what one is and how to identify one. An introvert is someone who spends the majority of her day in her head. He after spending a few hours out socializing will need to spend some time alone to re-energize. She may appear calm on the outside, but she is constantly thinking and reflecting on such things as world events, interactions she's had or witnessed, or random thoughts that pop into her head. They might remind you of people like Friedrich Nietzsche, Albert Einstein, Johnny Carson, Mother Teresa and Steve Martin, all famous introverts. Or they may resemble characters from the books you've read such as Wendy in “Peter Pan”, Jonas in “The Giver” or Atticus Finch in “To Kill A Mockingbird.” Once you know you got an introvert on your hands, what do you do with them to bring the best possible person out of them?
Well let's say you've been at a party with 50 or so people. Your introvert has been dancing and chatting with a large number of those people for a couple hours now and a bunch of people have suggested that you and your introvert join them for an after party celebration. Now keeping in mind that your introvert is feeling pretty drained at this moment you will want to consider how many people are going to be at this after party and how well the introvert knows them. These two things will guide you to make a better decision for yourself (as an introvert) or as a couple that is one part introvert. If it's a small, close then go for it and have a great time, but if it's a large group with strangers-reconsider it for the sake of your introvert. She is tired and no longer has the energy to be social with such a large group of strangers. A better suggestion is to take that introvert back to your place and spend some quiet time along with them with a nice bottle of wine which might lead to some play time in the bedroom something you can't get at that after party (well maybe you can depending on what kind of after parties you go to.)
If you're someone who is responsible for running and organizing people such as a manager or teacher it's in your best interest to identify and work with the nature of an introvert to get the best productivity out of your employees and the best results from your students. If you are a manger, you'd be best to put your introverted employees on projects that can be done by one person or ones that can be collaborated on with one or two other people. Introverts are more comfortable alone and in small groups if you nurture this you will get better results from your employee. If you're a teacher knowing who the introverts in your class are will help you in providing them with the best possible learning environment. Let's say you ask an introverted student a question in the third week of class-they may stumble for an answer and blush in the process, which doesn't make for an effective classroom discussion.
Neuropsychological studies have suggested that introverts can't multitask when their environment over stimulates them. Introverts are concerned with what others are thinking of them this then takes away their ability to think up an answer. Because the area of the brain that is used in thinking is already at capacity-busy trying to figure out what others might be thinking of them. Once an introvert gets more comfortable with the people in his class he will have some space in his brain to think about the questions being raised. How long that comfort level will take to develop will depend on the individual student. However there is something you can do right away to help those introverted students as well as your class discussion. If you give the introverts the topics the day before giving them time to think about their responses. The classroom discussions will involve every student as well you may get a better quality class discussion. Which is a definite classroom plus.
If you nurture the introverts in your lives they will become a more active part of your personal or business family. Einstein's theory of relativity, Mother Teresa's compassion and empathy, and Steve Martin's comic genius would've been lost if their families and the people around them didn't support their introverted nature. The best thing you can do for your introvert is to just let them be they are perfect they way they are.
