Jim Shore's most recent blog entry in his change diary contained a hidden gem:
I heard an interesting definition of "introvert" and "extrovert" once. I don't remember where. The definition went like this: for an extrovert, socializing with strangers boosts their energy. For an introvert, socializing with strangers drains their energy. Sounds right to me.
That's one of the best definitions I've heard for the difference between extroverts and introverts.
What we could think of as "energy levels" with people at work is not something to dismiss off-hand. A modern day (read: live and breathing) philosopher once mentioned that we would be wise to acknowledge how we can affect other people's energy through our actions if we want to support a smooth, effective working environment. Poking a coworker in the right way at the water cooler could uplift him energy-wise for the whole day while rubbing him the wrong way might do the opposite--with dire consequences to the project's progress.
Small things matter. Do you remember an occasion where someone gave you a small compliment and that was all that was needed to make you feel like a king for the next couple of hours? Is there anything preventing that from happening at work, every day, for everyone?
This meme could originate in The Introvert Advantage book.
Dave: The extrovert/introvert definition reminds me of descriptions I've read in connection with the Myers-Briggs personality type model.... and then it goes back to Carl Jung, who coined the terms.