Why do bosses admire outgoing extrovert employees?

Question

I work in a place (County Government) where people with outgoing 'big mouths' get the most respect, regardless of what they know. Yet, they seem to have more of a draw and charisma than the introverted people that know alot. My question is why are outgoing extroverted people more admired than introverts?

Answer 1

I don't know if it's so much that extroverted people seem to have more of a draw or are more charismatic, but they do seem to be on the front lines more often. As a former Human Resource Manager, I can say that for the kind of company I worked for, it was important that the employees have somewhat of an outgoing personality. Most of the work was via phone - and since we didn't see our customers that often, the only 'relationship' that could be built upon was over the phone. A person who seems excited to see you, has an open and warm smile, reaches to shake your hand, is friendly and helpful, is the kind of person who the boss is going to look at as acceptable. When you put somone in certain positions, they have to have outgoing personalities. Remember that customer service is the biggest builder of a company and can be its downfall as well. Introverted people are sometimes shy, withdrawn, may not have much conversation, tend to draw back from crowds and may sometimes appear unsure of themselves, less confident. Depending upon the job you do and how necessary your position is - would determine just what kind of personality is invovled. I know this - I hired quiet people, introverts, but they did not have much phone contact. They worked in Accounting or other positions that did not demand their personality be on the frontline.

Answer 2

In a way, you answered your own question - "Yet, they seem to have more of a draw and charisma than the introverted people that know alot." If the extrovert is not a boor, then the extrovert will often seem charismatic, and people are drawn to charismatic people.

Moreover, extroverted people are "easier" for a boss. She/he knows who they are without needing to spend time digging. With the introverts, the boss has to spend time finding out who they are, what they can do, etc., while the extroverts put it all out there. The other side is that the boss figures that the introvert is less likely to complain when he/she is treated poorly. They expect that the introvert will just sit there and take being ignored, passed over, etc., while the boss believes that if the extrovert is slighted, the extrovert will make a lot of noise about it.

These are obviously generalizations, but things have frequently worked this way in my 30 years of being in the work force, as both labor and management.

Answer 3

It takes effort to get to know someone who's introverted, and we know that deep down we're all lazy. We like to take the path of least resistance.

And there's a stigma connected to introverted people. We make the extroverts nervous because they don't always know what we're thinking. We could be plotting their slow and painful demise for all they know. After all introverts and loners are all serial killers in the making are we not?

On the other hand, extroverts wear their personalities on their sleeves. They are the lampshade people at parties.

And finally what employers are really looking for is someone who will crawl up their ***.

Answer 4

because we show what we got and exude confidence.. the boss probably doesnt even notice an introverted employee because you said it yourself the extroverts have "more charisma" we know how to sell ourselves .. how will the boss even know "you know alot" or are intelligent enough to handle the task if you dont speak up and let him know this.. he cant read your mind... unless he can see it in your work but this isnt always the case all the time.. especially if your a middleman at your job where your work gets thrown in with the rest..he probably wont ever know you even exist


introversion shows lack of leadership and a take charge attitude one of the top 2 things employers look for in theyre employees who they probably look at to rise further up in the company

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Answer 5

The extrovert knows how to flatter the boss's ego.

Answer 6

I am a supervisor in county government as well, and it dose seem the big mouths or to be fair lets say the more verbose get more respect. I don't like jibber-jabbers...get to the point so we can move on.

Answer 7

Their personality draws people to them

Answer 8

I assume maybe because they bring life to their job. Or they are very social.

Answer 9

Good question. I guess they like loud people I don't know why.

Answer 10

cause they draw attention to themselves