Being an Introverted Entrepreneur in an Extrovert’s World

https://medium.com/this-happened-to-me/c4d7859e8ed5

by rvcamo • 13 years ago

5 3 13 years ago

medium.com

jdmitch• 13 years ago

It's interesting that the OP says this:

When we think of entrepreneurs we stereotypically expect them to have extroverted traits.

and then near the end of the article essentially agrees that he had to learn those "extroverted traits":

over time I gained the confidence I needed to speak in public to large crowds, attend packed networking events, and pitch to powerful and wealthy individuals

I think most people would agree that introverts can be entrepreneurs, but there are certain "extroverted traits" that fit hand-in-glove with building a successful company, and I would say they are learned behaviours for everyone, simply at different times in life, or depending on one's role. Extroverted entrepreneurs (who are technical) also may need to learn to enjoy spending lots of time alone on code. This is no less of a learning process than the opposite.

borplk• 13 years ago

That's what I thought too.

The posts starts like "you don't need to be an extrovert to be a successful entrepreneur" and then goes towards "look at me ... I learned to be a temporary extrovert"

rvcamo• 13 years ago

Good call call on the contradicting lines(left an edit note giving you credit). Removed the first one for more clarity. I think what I was trying to say is that it's assumed every entrepreneur is a born an extrovert, but some need to overcome their natural inhibition and learn to have the extroverted skills needed to succeed. It's a learned process for all, but definitely nerve wracking for an introvert based on my experience. Great points, thanks for reading and helping me improve the post!

Being an Introverted Entrepreneur in an Extrovert’s World

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