A neuroscientist shares the 4 ‘highly coveted’ skills that set introverts apart: ‘Their brains work differently’

When Albert Einstein — a known introvert — was a child, his teachers thought he was a quiet loner who seemed a million miles away, lost in his thoughts.

“It’s that I stay with problems longer.”

• This ability to focus intensely is a key characteristic of introverts, who often have more extended focus than extroverts.

• On average, introverts and extroverts are the same in terms of intelligence.
• But statistics show that around 70% of gifted people are introverts .
• People are considered “gifted” when they exhibit above-average intelligence or a superior talent for something, such as music, art or math.

• Introverts tend to be less swayed by external events and driven more by their inner moral compass.
• A 2013 study on social conformity found that extroverts are more willing to go along with the opinion of the majority, even if it’s wrong.
• The researchers concluded: “The higher the pressure, a larger number of conforming responses are given by extroverts.”

• Respect boundaries. Don’t expect people to answer every email or Slack message immediately.
• Brainstorm alone.
• Shorten meetings.
• Don’t force a certain type of communication. Encourage people to decide how they want to communicate (e.g., turning cameras on or off), even if it differs from yours.
• Provide the option of privacy.