10 Things Introverts are Best at Doing
As an introvert, it’s far too easy to fixate on the things you wish you did better. When people talk about the differences between introverts and extroverts, they tend to focus on things our extroverted world considers strengths. These things, unfortunately, are often areas where introverts don’t measure up to what the world expects of them.
However, it’s important for introverts to see all the ways they contribute positively to relationships and the world around them. Introverts have many distinct strengths. Often these are things they do better than their extroverted counterparts.
In her book, Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking, Susan Cain talks about the ways introverts help society’s progress. If you’re an introvert and haven’t read this book yet, we highly recommend it!
While Cain has her own insight into the strengths of introverts, we decided to compile our own list. The following are ten things introverts are best at doing.
1. Observation
Introverts are particularly great at observing the world around them. When they go places, they’re constantly observing their surroundings and the people they’re with. Because of this, they often notice things other people would miss.
For example, introverts spend so much time observing others that they’re usually the first ones to notice when something is different with a friend. This becomes a superpower of sorts, since it allows them to handle ever-changing interpersonal relationships.
This doesn’t just apply to observing patterns in people, though. Introverts tend to see the big picture when others are fixated on small details. They notice patterns and trends at work and in the world. This gives them the information and insight they need to be innovators in their field. By the time others notice a trend, they’ve often already come up with possible solutions.
Their observation skills lend to most of their other strengths. They are often good problem-solvers because they are constantly observing. They give great advice because they see things others don’t see. This talent is not just an isolated skill, but one that lends strength to all areas of their lives.
2. Deliberation
Introverts are great at deliberation. That means they rarely act impulsively (although they can sometimes act impulsively in small matters). They would rather think through all of the implications of a decision than act rashly and make a fool of themselves.
We talked to an extrovert who described her husband’s decision-making process: “He carefully thinks through every decision, where I just do things. If we go to the store to get milk, even though we always get 2% milk, it’s always a decision for him. Nothing is unintentional.”
While this particular introvert is on the extreme end of the spectrum, no one would accuse an introvert of being thoughtless or rash. Their strength for deliberation has proven to be an asset, so it’s an asset most introverts invest in improving.
Embarrassment is particularly painful for introverts. Since they hate the feeling of being embarrassed, they’ll work hard to make sure their decisions are carefully considered before acting. They deliberate the consequences of every word and action before they speak or act.
3. Independence
Introverts are great at doing things independently. While extroverted people get their energy from being around others, introverts get their energy from being alone. That means that activities and projects that require alone time are a lot easier for introverts.
We talk about this independence a lot in our article on the Top 20 Best Jobs for Introverts. Most of these jobs are things that require introverts to spend a significant amount of time alone, whether in their everyday work or in the education required to get to that career goal.
This is why introverts often enjoy hobbies like reading and writing. While extroverts may struggle engaging with an activity that requires them to be alone, introverts love hobbies that allow them to explore big ideas in isolation.
In their careers, introverts tend to do best on work they can complete alone. This makes them great employees who can be trusted to work independently, without micromanaging from an employer. People can trust them to pull their weight on projects, especially if they’re given the space to get things done alone.
4. Listening
An introvert’s ability to listen is one of their biggest strengths. They may have long periods where they’re quiet, but they’re more than happy listening to friends and family talk. Best of all, they aren’t just passive listeners. They’re actively listening to everything someone says instead of listening just enough to answer.
Most introverts have been complimented on their listening skills at one time or another. In elementary school, their parents probably heard that they were really good listeners (even if they weren’t very good at talking in front of others).
As adults, introverts’ listening skills gives them an edge in their interpersonal relationships. Friends and significant others often appreciate their willingness to lend a listening ear. After all, most people want to feel heard. Introverts are great at making sure people know they’re heard.
This is why many introverts thrive in jobs that involve a lot of listening. They make gifted therapists, guidance counselors, and clergy. While most would assume that a people-oriented profession would be better suited for an extrovert, an introvert’s listening skills are an asset in these careers.
5. Emotional Intelligence
Introverts typically have high levels of emotional intelligence. In their book Emotional Intelligence 2.0, authors Travis Bradberry and Jean Greaves explore four emotional intelligence skills people need to reach their full potential. These skills are self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, and relationship management.
Introverts tend to do well in all these areas of emotional intelligence. To find out how you measure up, you can purchase the book and take the emotional intelligence assessment.
We talked to one introvert who took the assessment in one of her college classes. Each area is scored out of 100. Most of her classmates had scores in the mid-80s or lower. However, her self-management score was an impressive 92! While her classmates marveled at her high score, she knew it was largely because of her introverted personality.
Introverts are good at understanding their emotions and regulating their behavior. They’re also particularly skilled at reading other people, an emotional intelligence skill that serves them well in relationships.
Their self-awareness and empathy combine to make them some of the best family members, friends, and coworkers. Instead of saying or doing things in the heat of the moment, they’re more likely to make strong and emotionally intelligent decisions.
6. Counseling
Introverts aren’t just great at listening. They’re great at listening to what someone has to say and giving them great advice. This skill often makes them seem wise beyond their years. Even if they don’t go into professional counseling, they’re often the person their friends confide in and seek out for advice when life gets hard.
While many people listen to what you say in an attempt to formulate a response, introverts listen with the intention of understanding. Because of this, they don’t just listen to what you’re saying. They take note of the things you aren’t saying out loud.
This allows them to truly understand the intricacies of a situation. Their empathy helps them emotionally invest in another person’s situation. When they’re invested, they bring the same thoughtfulness to a friend’s decision that they’d bring to their own.
Their insight and advice make them particularly gifted in occupations as therapists and counselors. While the job of a counselor largely revolves around helping the client improve themselves, a well-timed bit of insight or advice is often the catalyst they need for positive change. Introverts are great at providing these nuggets of wisdom.
7. Conversation
The previous three strengths (listening, emotional intelligence, and counseling) all contribute to an introvert’s gift for conversation. In our extrovert-oriented world, an extrovert’s gift of gab is often valued more than an introvert’s quiet thoughtfulness.
While an extrovert’s magnetic personality may help them make a dazzling first impression, great conversation skills come more naturally to introverts. Healthy conversation cannot happen when both people are listening just enough to formulate their response.
Active listening is an important part of conversation. Without it, the other person may as well be talking to themselves. Emotional intelligence is needed to regulate responses and understand the other person’s motivations, two things that promote great conversation. An introvert’s proclivity for counseling allows them to contribute meaningfully to a conversation, instead of listening alone.
Introverts are great at having meaningful and thought-provoking conversations. They’ll happily surpass the small talk in favor of a deep conversation, making them great conversationalists!
8. Leadership
Introverts make the best leaders! In fact, we have an article with seven reasons why introverts make great leaders, which you can read here. They are great leaders because of all the strengths we’ve already mentioned on this list, plus many more.
When they lead, introverts are more likely to motivate their teams with their thoughtfulness, listening skills, and solid decision-making processes. Their humility and preparedness make them leaders people want to work with.
Although people often assume that leadership requires a loud personality, but successful long-term leadership requires the skills more often found in introverts. Since they process information and make thoughtful decisions based on the evidence in front of them, they’re more likely to lead their teams to success.
They’re also less likely to assume they know everything about a person. Since they know just how much of themselves remains unknown to others, they realize that people on their team may have skills that aren’t yet developed or utilized. They don’t just care about leading their team to success, but helping each person on their team reach their full potential.
9. Friendship
Introverts are the best at being good friends! Even though spending time with others uses their precious energy supply, they’re more than willing to sacrifice alone time when they see a friend in need. Their loyalty to their friends often takes priority over their own wants and needs.
They are not the type of friends to betray you. In fact, introverts are great at keeping secrets and remaining loyal, even when the other person has betrayed them.
This loyalty is one of their greatest strengths. After all, a person can reach their greatest potential when they have the love and support of others. While introverts take longer to open up and build strong connections, the connections they create are likely to last a lifetime.
We talked to an extrovert who had a falling out with her introverted college roommate. Years later, they reconnected and built a friendship stronger than the one they had before. When the extrovert was talking to a mutual friend of theirs, she was shocked to learn that her introverted roommate never said anything negative about her, despite the bad blood between them.
That’s just who introverts are. Even when they have negative feelings toward someone, they’re less likely to share those thoughts with others. Their loyalty is long-lasting, even in the face of a lost friendship.
10. Self-Care
Introverts are the kings and queens of self-care. They require plenty of time alone to recharge, since social interactions drain their energy. That means they’ve learned the best ways to make the most of their time alone.
No matter what their personal interests, they’re sure to know a trick or two about how to take care of yourself while stressed. Whether they’ve found the perfect blend of tea, the best scented candles, or the most relaxing hobbies, they know the secrets to self-care.
Best of all, they’re more than happy to share their experience and wisdom with friends and family! Ask any introvert what they do for self-care and they’ll likely have an answer. Self-care and introversion go hand-in-hand, making it one of the things they’re best at doing.