Why you need an anxious, introverted, creative person on your team.

You often hear that to succeed in the world of work, and the creative industries in particular, you need to be outgoing, outwardly confident, and always "on."

I’d like to challenge that.

By recommending that you take a fresh look at those quiet, introverted souls that you never hire because they seem a bit awkward, low energy, or don’t strike you as great team players.

What they don’t show on the outside they more than make up for on the inside.

It’s starting to be more recognised that cognitive homogeneity is a limiting factor in business. If everyone sees the world in the same way then problems are only ever solved in the same way, and in a complex new world that rarely works out well. (Rebel Ideas by Matthew Syed explains why, brilliantly.)

So, unless you’re happy to restrict how your business approaches solving problems you might want to consider reappraising your hiring policy.

If you haven’t read Susan Cain’s brilliant book titled, Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking. I can highly recommend it as further reading on the incredible strengths that introverts bring to the table.

Introverts might not give rallying speeches every day, instead, they lead quietly by example, through their actions. They are typically reliable and consistent, perfect for building trust with teams and clients. While large events drain them, introverts excel in more intimate settings, making them great at building those deep, meaningful connections. Introverts prefer to observe and analyse before responding and so make more considered decisions. Introverts thrive on tackling big, heavy weight projects that need serious concentration. In a world where everyone's talking, introverts are busy listening. This makes them fantastic at understanding what their customers and colleagues really need.

And, thanks to their rich inner worlds, introverts often come up with highly creative solutions to tough business problems.

Creative people, generally, have a marked tendency toward introversion, because most creative work requires solitude and deep focus, both of which energise them. What you might read as detachment, or loneliness, they see as freedom, and unchecked exploration. Extroverts who feel most energised surrounded by people struggle to do this. They are stimulated more by, and limited to, the world around them.

It’s well documented that we are all born with the ability to think creatively. But, it’s an innate capability that lies dormant in many of us. Often hidden away and left to gather dust as a consequence of the prejudice placed on being different in society, school, and the workplace. The need to fit in and be part of a group overwhelming the need to follow your own path. Sadly, it’s completely understandable why and how it happens. You’re going against evolution for a start. We’re hardwired to blend into the herd for all kinds of perfectly sensible reasons; maybe that’s why you feel more comfortable hiring people like that. They want to fit in. They want to be like you. Because they know that is almost certainly going to be what you’re looking for.

But not everyone is able to suppress their true nature to assimilate. Especially creative introverts. Creativity and introversion are as fundamental to them as breathing.

And it may come as something of a surprise that they wouldn’t trade places with outgoing, confident, cookie-cutter networkers for the world. They don’t envy them or want to be like them. They think that they’re the ones who are missing out. Their extraordinary minds were dancing around the Metaverse and experimenting with AI long before tech companies thought of them.

So, don’t tell them to cheer up, because it might never happen, or they should go out and socialise in big noisy groups more often, or stop looking so worried. Or force them to co-ideate in stimulating open plan settings. They aren’t looking to you for help. They don’t want to be the centre of attention. Believe it or not, they genuinely couldn’t imagine anything worse. The life they are living in their heads is way more colourful and exciting. So, leave them be. They’re having a great time. They’re just doing it quietly.

Instead, realise their potential. Value them for seeing the world in ways that you never will. Create an environment for them that enables them to plug their brilliant brains into your business. They may not be jazz-hands presenters, dazzle with their charisma, or be the life and soul of the party, but not everyone needs to be. Their minds are an untapped wonderland just waiting to be harnessed.