[adventured]

Buffett is more extroverted today, he grew up as an introvert.

Per his own biography:

He found it extremely difficult to approach women when he was younger. He simply was unable to do it.

He used to hide in the corner at college parties, and would wait for others to introduce themselves. Once he became comfortable with people or a situation, he could open up.

He was terrified by public speaking, and was completely unable to do it. He had to force himself to get better at it, so he could be effective in business.

He kept heavily to himself growing up, had a couple of friends, and spent his time reading investing books from the public library.

From his own descriptions of his pre-20s youth, he was a classic introvert.

[arbuge]

I believe this version of the facts is the correct one. I remember reading that he had taken a Dale Carnegie class on public speaking to help him with doing that. In his own words, more or less, it didn't stop his knees from knocking his fear while he was talking, but it did help him talk anyway while his knees were knocking...

[djb_hackernews]

You've repeatedly gotten the definition of introversion wrong in this thread. I personally think it's just another way us humans have invented to categorize eachother but basically introversion has nothing to do with confidence or shyness and everything to do with how you "recharge."

[mcdougle]

The best way I've been able to describe it:

When I'm out socializing, I'm often the life of the party. I was called a "social butterfly" over the weekend at a tailgate. I'm usually the guy at the party or whatever being loud, having a good time, talking to everyone and getting all of them to have a good time too.

I also have no trouble talking to people. I often just strike up conversations with strangers in lines, elevators, just walking down the street, etc. I can approach the pretty girl and talk to her, and not be nervous about it. I can speak in public, and I've been essentially a "door-to-door salesman" (cold calls instead of doors, but you get what I mean).

But, at the end of the day, I need to have my "anti-social" time. I get burnt out on all of the stuff above, and if I do it too much, I'll get annoyed and tired, and end up not being very fun to be around. After too much partying, I need a few nights to just chill at home and relax, maybe with the people closest to me (at most).

I'm outgoing. But I'm also introverted.

Introversion is a quality that can't be (easily) changed. Being outgoing is a skill that one can learn.