[DrBazza]

The reign of the introverts is definitely not here nor will it ever be.

I'm increasingly of the opinion that most people in this industry think they're introverts, when actually they're just a victim of extremely poor working environments, i.e. open plan offices.

No other industry I can think of has such a disparity between what an employee needs for the best productivity versus what they're given by their employer, i.e. solitude to concentrate.

The longer I've spent away from an open plan office, the more sociable I've become, especially over the last 15 months.

Similarly as you rise 'up the ladder', you have to communicate more, you cannot be an introvert.

[haswell]

First, I do think you’re right that open floor plans and many other factors have a major impact on people in this industry. Introversion is one potential contributor to why this is a big deal.

But something about the way you’re describing introversion doesn’t quite match the traditional introvert’s reality.

> Similarly as you rise 'up the ladder', you have to communicate more, you cannot be an introvert.

Having to communicate more (and being successful at it) do not make one an extrovert. Anecdotal: I’ve risen up the ladder, and I am without question, an introvert. The difference between me and my extroverted colleagues is that they’re energized by it, and I’m not. I have to take intentional steps to recharge later, while they're charged up by the process itself. This also means that I'm not better or worse than my extroverted colleagues at communicating or climbing the ladder, I just need to think about my source of energy differently.

While I’m sure there is some truth to the broader issues caused by shared work spaces, etc. I also find that the concept of introversion/extroversion is often not what people think it is.

Introverts can be well adjusted, social, and easy to talk to. People often mistake the lack of these traits for introversion, and while there can be some overlap in observed behaviors at times, the two should not be confused.

[nostromo]

I also think introversion is confused with social exhaustion.

If you crave some alone time after several hours on back-to-back meetings, you’re not necessarily an introvert, you’re just human.

[paulcole]

> Similarly as you rise 'up the ladder', you have to communicate more, you cannot be an introvert.

Introverts can be excellent communicators both in 1:1 and group settings. Introversion doesn’t equal shyness. I’m an introvert who communicates all day at work. When work is done, I’m quiet and recharge.

[Hnrobert42]

This is itself an unfounded conspiracy theory.