More on Introversion and innovation

I've written that collaboration is a key ingredient for innovation (And if I haven't written it, I've thought about it a lot), but how does being an introvert fit into innovation and collaboration?

I know I've said I was an introvert. I've been told by various bosses that I need to "Push my comfort zone" and I need to collaborate with others to come up with idea's. I've tried to tell some of the bosses that just going into work everyday, knowing I'm going to have to deal with a bunch of people on various issues, is pushing my boundary and is using up a lot of my energy.

I've had to deal with people all my life and it still takes energy to do that. I don't always have the energy I need left for collaborations and negotiations for innovation.

I believe in "to thine own self be true". I'm an introvert, I work better without the distraction of others. So lately, if I'm trying to come up with a good idea, I listen to the others brainstorming ideas (I don't necessarily participate) I then go off to a quite place and read, think, relax, and "chew" on the information in my own introverted way. I do tend to come up with pretty good ideas that way. I then tell whomever was looking for the ideas and they're usually pretty accepting. I have ran into the problem of some bosses saying "you should have brought it up in the meeting" or "it's too late for that idea". Of course, I want to say "I didn't know good idea's had a time limit" being the smart a** that I sometimes am. Of course at work, you should always hold your tongue to those slower than you.

Remember, it's never to late for a good idea.

Introverts and Collaboration

I am an introvert. I'm in a world of extroverts. Only 25% of people are introverts and that means 75%, a clear majority of people are extroverts. I got this information from the great book "The introvert advantage" by Marti Laney.

The new corporate world demands collaboration and teamwork. If you don't fit in that paradigm then you're not moving up in the corporation...or so I've been told. I've also found that Introversion doesn't seem to be on the corporate Diversity list.

I don't mind talking with others but, as an introvert, I don't sit in a meeting and come up with idea's very well. My best idea's come up about 30 minutes to 1 hour after the meeting. Typically I have, what I've been told, are pretty good ideas but "I should have brought them up in the meeting".

I've seen several people around with this same problem, introverts I'm sure. Collaboration just doesn't always fit with the introvert. I've been trying to come up with some idea's on what introverts need to do to fit in the collaborative world.

Here are some thoughts on how to participate:
- Before the meeting, rest, relax
- Be prepared for the meeting, try to have ideas and answers before you go.
- Don't schedule to many meetings or to many group interactions in one day
- Take notes to help you focus your thoughts
- If there's a point in a meeting you don't have to listen, then work on clarifying your thoughts.
- Let people know that you're going to keep thinking about it and you may have inputs later.
- If they ask you to participate or for input let them know your thinking about it and you need to get your thoughts together so you can give a good answer.
- Once you gather your thoughts, E-mail or send a note to the leader.

I just thought I would pass this on because, at my work, your expected to participate in collaboration efforts. Even if your best thoughts don't come during the meetings.