Agile Introverts, any Oxymoron? - March 7, 2017

@ChrisSeanAgile
CHRIS EDWARDS, P.ENG.
Agileintroverts,
anoxymoron?

@ChrisSeanAgile
50.7%ofAmericansareintroverted
http://introvertzone.com/ratio-of-introverts

@ChrisSeanAgile
Whatisanintrovert?

@ChrisSeanAgile C S&
Myviewofintroverts
• Shy
• Don’t like people
• Likes to spend time alone

Myers-briggsIntrovert
• “I like getting my energy from dealing with
the ideas, pictures, memories, and
reactions that are inside my head, in my
inner world. “

Openofficeplans
• “Open-plan offices have been found to
reduce productivity and impair memory”

Openofficeplans
• “They make people sick, hostile,
unmotivated, and insecure”

• Extroverts are more prone to risky reward-
seeking behaviour
• Introverts work more slowly and
deliberately

• Extroverts tend to be assertive, dominant,
and comfortable with conflict
• Introverts prefer deep-interesting
conversations

• Extroverts have many superficial
friendships
• Introverts will have a small number of
meaningful relationships

JeromeKagan–developmentofchildren

Infants were played tape recording of
voices and balloons popping, saw colorful
mobiles dance, inhaled scent of alcohol
from cotton swab

“They had wildly varying reactions to the
new stimuli”

“20 % cried lustily and pumped their arms
and legs. Kagan called this group ‘high-
reactive’”

“40 % stayed quiet and placid. This group
Kagan called ‘low-reactive’”

“40 % fell between these two extremes”

The children returned to Kagan’s lab at the
age of four, seven, and eleven.

The ‘low-reactive’ were “more likely to have
become relaxed and confident types”

The ‘high-reactive’ were “more likely to
have developed serious, careful
personalities”

‘high-reactive’ kids “seem to see a feel
things more”

Hanseysenck

Hypothesis: Human beings seek “just
right” levels of stimulation

Introverts and extroverts were asked to
play a challenging word game

Players wore headphones that emitted
random bursts of noise

Players could adjust the volume to a level
that they considered “just right”

• Introverts on avg: 55 dB
• Extroverts on avg: 72 db

Both groups were “equally aroused” and
played equally well

When introverts were asked to play at 72
dB, they were over-aroused, and
underperformed

https://www.infoq.com/articles/neuroscience-agile-leadershi

‘Under stress, the PFC shuts down and the
limbic takes over. ’ – Jenni Jepsen

@ChrisSeanAgile C S&https://www.infoq.com/articles/neuroscience-agile-leaders

“Introversion/Extroversion is only 40-50%
heritable”

Energy source— You get more energy from
being alone than being with people

Shyness —How outgoing are you?

Lower “reward-sensitivity”— Less likely to
be motivated by seeking rewards and more
likely to be able to delay gratification

You’re “high-reactive” — meaning
neurologically more sensitive to your
environment

Self-monitoring—Do you alter your
behaviour based on those around you?

Dimensionsofintroversion
Introvert Extrovert

Dimensionsofintroversion
Being
Alone
Being in
CrowdsEnergy Source
Shy Gregarious
Shyness
Deliberate Seeks
RewardsReward Seeking
High
Reactive
Low
Reactive
Response to Stimuli
High
Self-Monitor
Low
Self-Monitor
Self-Monitoring

Aarongrifith–introvertmobber
• Mobbing isn’t easy
as an introvert.
• Relationships are
important.
• Safety is key.

Commonalities?
• KINDESS
• CONSIDERATION
• RESPECT

https://rework.withgoogle.com/blog/five-keys-to-a-successful-google-team/

• ‘‘a sense of confidence that the team will
not embarrass, reject or punish someone
for speaking up.” Amy Edmonson
Psychologicalsafety

http://www.leadershipnow.com/leadingblog/leadership/
Simon Sinek’s “Circle of Safety”
SAFE

@ChrisSeanAgile
chris@chrisandseanagile.com

Agile Introverts, any Oxymoron? - March 7, 2017

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Agile Introverts, any Oxymoron? - March 7, 2017