agile introverts, any oxymoron? - march 7, 2017

@ChrisSeanAgile

CHRIS EDWARDS, P.ENG.

Agile introverts, an oxymoron?

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50.7% of Americans are introverted

http://introvertzone.com/ratio-of-introverts

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What is an introvert?

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My view of introverts• Shy• Don’t like people• Likes to spend time alone

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Myers-briggs Introvert• “I like getting my energy from dealing with

the ideas, pictures, memories, and reactions that are inside my head, in my inner world. “

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Open office plans• “Open-plan offices have been found to

reduce productivity and impair memory”

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Open office plans• “They make people sick, hostile,

unmotivated, and insecure”

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• Extroverts are more prone to risky reward-seeking behaviour

• Introverts work more slowly and deliberately

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• Extroverts tend to be assertive, dominant, and comfortable with conflict

• Introverts prefer deep-interesting conversations

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• Extroverts have many superficial friendships

• Introverts will have a small number of meaningful relationships

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Jerome Kagan – development of children

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Infants were played tape recording of voices and balloons popping, saw colorful

mobiles dance, inhaled scent of alcohol from cotton swab

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“They had wildly varying reactions to the new stimuli”

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

reactive’”

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

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“40 % fell between these two extremes”

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

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

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

personalities”

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

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Hans eysenck

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

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Introverts and extroverts were asked to play a challenging word game

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Players wore headphones that emitted random bursts of noise

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

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

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Both groups were “equally aroused” and played equally well

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

underperformed

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

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

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

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

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Shyness —How outgoing are you?

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

likely to be able to delay gratification

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

environment

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

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Dimensions of introversion

Introvert Extrovert

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Dimensions of introversionBeingAlone

Being inCrowdsEnergy Source

Shy GregariousShyness

Deliberate Seeks RewardsReward Seeking

HighReactive

LowReactive

Response to Stimuli

HighSelf-Monitor

LowSelf-Monitor

Self-Monitoring

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Aaron grifith – introvert mobber• Mobbing isn’t easy

as an introvert. • Relationships are

important. • Safety is key. 

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Commonalities?• KINDESS• CONSIDERATION• RESPECT

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

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

Psychological safety

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http://www.leadershipnow.com/leadingblog/leadership/

Simon Sinek’s “Circle of Safety”

SAFEDANGER DANGER

DANGERDANGER

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chris@chrisandseanagile.com