Typophile Film: Brent Jackson

Typophile Film Festival 5 Opening Titles from Brent Barson on Vimeo.

Even though it’s been around for a few years, if you haven’t seen this wonderful video created for the 5th Typophile Film Festival by BYU design students, it really is an impressive piece of work, especially seeing as no CG effects were used in its production. Enjoy!

Extraverts Are Not Always the Most Successful Leaders

You may find it difficult to accept but Introverted leaders can be more effective than Extraverts in certain circumstances.

It all depends on who the leaders are managing, according to Grant and co-authors Francesca Gino of Harvard Business School and David Hofmann of the University of North Carolina's Kenan-Flagler Business School.

Their paper, forthcoming in the Academy of Management Journal, is titled "Reversing the Extraverted Leadership Advantage: The Role of Employee Proactivity."

Extraverted leadership involves commanding the centre of attention: being outgoing, assertive, bold, talkative and dominant. This offers the advantages of providing a clear authority structure and direction.

However, pairing extraverted leaders with employees who take initiative and speak out can lead to friction, while pairing the same group of employees with an introverted leader can be a pathway to success, the researchers note.

This has implications for leaders and managers at all levels who want to improve their own leadership styles.

"If you look at existing leadership research, extraversion stands out as the most consistent and robust predictor of who becomes a leader and who is rated as an effective leader," Grant says. "But I thought this was simplistic and incomplete. It tells us very little about the situations in which introverted leaders can be more effective than extraverted leaders."


Read more at www.knowledge.wharton

Extraverts Working With Introverts

We are all aware that our personality traits exist within a wide or narrow spectrum. Within that band, we can be low, moderate, or high on the introvert /extraversion trait.

If you are low in extraversion, you are referred to as being high in introversion.

While personality can help predict how someone is likely to behave, it doesn’t always determine how we behave towards them. The situation, the setting, how others act, our mood, our values, our intentions, etc – are just as likely to have an impact or force a reaction in our behaviour and actions.

None the less, the behaviours of an extreme introvert and an extreme extravert can vary so dramatically in response to an identical situation. If you are apart on th eintrovert /extravert scale then you may have difficulty understanding how and why the other person is reacting in the way they are.

To be an effective leader, you must be able to recognise and adapt your style to integrate and complement the characteristics of others. To work effectively in a team situation, it is essential that you recognise, respect, and meld with the differences of others.

Emotional Expression
One hallmark of extraverts is that they are very likely to display positive emotions whenever they feel them. In contrast, an introvert may be very happy or pleased, yet less attentive colleagues around them may not recognise a change because they are more restrained and reserved in their emotional expression.

Introverts will not jump up and down in response to a birthday gift or a promotion but you cannot assume that they are unhappy or unappreciative of the event. They are more likely to express their true emotions through words rather than actions. Remember to take those words at face value and don’t read too much into them.

Information Processing
Extraverts will express their thoughts as they occur and sometimes start talking before their thoughts are fully developd or make sense, even to them.

If introverts start taking without a plan in mind, then they will only get very embarassed and confused by the immediate feedback from their colleagues. This is especially true in problem-solving.

Don’t expect an instant answer from an introvert because they have a complex checks and balance thought process to undergo, prior to providing a response.

It's always good meeting management to provide everyone with the agenda, the problem, the questions, etc and a summary of the expected outcome or action. It maximises the contributions that everyone will make and is especially important to give the introverts a chance to pre-think their views.

In recent years, open collaboration spaces have become very popular and are great for the extraverts. However, make sure you also have private, quiet spaces where work can be done relative 'privacy' and without interruptions. Introverts work better if their 'personal space' is not invaded.

Social Interaction
It is a misconception that introverts have poor social skills or are shy. It appears this way because introverts expend more nervous energy and become drained after interacting with others and they need to recharge after such event by retreating into their 'personal space' and taking some 'alone time.'

Introverts are more likely to enjoy interacting with others one-on-one than in larger group settings. They also tend to enjoy getting to know a few people very well rather than lots of people superficially. Because introverts process information internally and in additionally complex way, they may be slow to express what they are thinking through speech. Give them time to finish expressing themselves, without interrupting.

Quick tips:

• Extraverts tend to dominate brainstorming sessions. Ask introverts for their opinion specifically in a 'round robin' manner and create an atmosphere where they can be heard without interruptions.
• Phone conversations create awkward pauses when the introvert is thinking. Use email if you want to get their clear and comprehensive thoughts around a topic.
• Introverts will often keep their emotions, interests, ideas, and thoughts to themselves. It takes time, trust, and relationship bilding to get to know them fully.
• Introverts have a larger personal space bubble and a lower tolerance for external stimuli. Hold the hugs, turn down the music, and give them some space.

The Best Networking Tips for the shy and retiring types

If you're struggling to meet new people, here's some common-sense advice for increasing your networking.

Start Small
If the idea of approaching people you don't know intimidates you, then begin your networking efforts by seeking out familiar faces, such as relatives and friends.

You can do a significant amount of valuable networking without ever having to make a cold call. Start with someone you know instead of a stranger. It demystifies the networking process and helps gets you over the hurdle. A series of successful conversations will make you more confident.

A logical next step after talking with friends and family is to pursue old chums and people who graduated from your college. Your alumni network can be a gold mine of connections, if you have one. It exists for the purpose of networking, so contacting an alum out of the blue shouldn't feel like a cold call. After all, they joined the network to make and take such calls.

Don't Apologise
Introverts and inexperienced networkers often apologise when asking for an individual's help because they see networking as an imposition, not as an exercise in relationship building. They feel like they're asking someone to do them a favour.

Apologising simply demonstrates your lack of professionalism and confidence. It's also annoying and juvenile. You don't have to apologise for asking for help. You don't have to apologise for wanting to learn more about the individual with whom you're networking. One day you may be able to help them out.

Reach down deep

Humans are hard-wired as communal, tribal animals, so the shy person isn't shy by nature. They are made shy by circumstances or design. Something happened to them to make them want to recoil in these situations.

Sometimes, when an introvert hears that he's not inherently a loner, that humans are innately social creatures, the realization helps him emerge from his shell of shyness, he says.

The Wisdom of Dale Carnegie
Dale Carnegie literally wrote the original book on networking in 1936. 'How to Win Friends and Influence People', it demystified the process of making friends out of strangers and inspired legions of business coaches to carry on Carnegie's message.

Smile:

This is such a simple, basic rule, yet people just don't think about it. They're so focused on needing to network at a conference that they don't realise they're walking around with a scowl on their face. Scowling, serious, expressions are forbidding. People are more likely to warm up to someone who says good morning with a broad smile than they are to someone with a dour countenance.

Ask questions:

Joining a group engaged in conversation can be awkward. The best way to do so is to pose a question to the group after getting the gist of the conversation. You build your credibility by asking a question, and for a shy person, that's a much easier way to engage than by barging in with an opinion, even if you have one.

Listen:

One of the most profound points Carnegie made in How to Win Friends was that people love to talk about themselves. If you can get people to discuss their experiences and opinions, and listen with (apparent) sincere interest, you can have a great conversation with someone without having to say very much at all.

Business cards:

Always have them handy. That's why you paid so much to have them printed. They're an effective way for you to leave your name behind so that people remember who and what you are.

Speak the person's name:

People like to hear their own name, it's attention getting and holding. A person's name is the sweetest sound to that person. So when you meet someone, use their name in conversation. Doing so makes the other person feel more comfortable, like you really know him and he knows you.

Be Yourself
Many introverted professionals think they have to act like an extrovert in networking situations. While you do have to make an effort to be more gregarious than normal, don't try to fake it too much. You should never come across as artificial.

You don't have to be the golden tongued schmoozer. The problem with the schmoozer's approach to networking is that they don't have the right intent. Their not interested in helping other people, only themself and everyone knows that.

Be Passionate
Join activity clubs or grups and attend events that relate to an interest or activity you enjoy. If you enjoy wine, attend a wine tasting at your local liquor store. If you're a keen reader, join a book club and even better take a leading role.

Yes, you're a technology professional but it doesn't mean that you should only go to technology conferences to network. The advantage of engaging in activities you enjoy with other people is that it makes conversation so much easier. So, there's no reason not to do a bit of networking, even when you're having an amiable conversation.

Attending gatherings where you feel comfortable helps to bring out the best in you but avoid situations where you might be stressed, rushed or distracted from your networking mission.

If you do find yourself in a room full of strangers at a technology conference or party, lead th econversation to the topics that interests you. When you talk about things you're passionate about, you will light up and appear more engaging.

You don't have to find a shared interest to connect with others but it helps. So, ask around. Find out what the people around you what they do in their spare time.

Ask for Introductions
Shy people attending conferences tend to find one person with whom they spend all their time for the duration of the event. This is not good.

Although settling in with one person may be more comfortable for the introvert than introducing himself to lots of new people, it is an avoidance technique and completely defeats the purpose of networking.

The shy person can engage the services of a more outgoing friend and ask them to introduce them around. Equally, you can ask the one guy you have engaged with to introduce you to others that they may know. That may be and easier or softer way for shy people to meet others.

Be Generous
Sometimes shy people have trouble networking because they believe they have come along empty handed i.e. they don't think they have anything valuable or significantto give back to someone who helped them, e.g. a job or a contact.

Although networking works best when you do have something to offer, what you offer doesn't have to be a job. Sincere interest in the other person, and empty flattery, is a form of generosity and goes a long way when you're networking.

Preparation

If you're afraid you'll freeze up or get tongue-tied in a social setting, prepare yourself in advance. Think of ice-breaker questions you can ask people you meet. If you're attending an event specifically to network your way to a new job, have your personal pitch ready but keep it informal.

Also, try to anticipate questions you may be asked, such as why you're looking for a new job, and have clear, concise answers at the ready. Your delivery has to be attention grabbing, smart and /or witty, to overcome interruptions and compensate for a lack of privacy.

Follow Up /Feedback
Sharing information—whether a website, article, report or phone number—with new contacts builds your credibility. So if you promised to e-mail a report to someone you met on the plane, make sure you do that.

When you do what you've said you were going to do, it gives the other person the impression that you have integrity and can keep your word. Otherwise, you're just going to get classified as another empty schmoozer.

Feel the Fear
In the course of networking, you'll encounter people who can't or don't want to help you . That's life. Don't take it personally and don't dwell on it. It's all part of the process. It's very like the tele sales market, it's a numbers game. Play the percentages. The more you try, the more you succeed.

Take Risks
When you overcome your fear of rejection, it'll be easier to make cold calls and strike up conversations with strangers. The person sitting next to you at a banquet or on an airplane may be feeling as uncomfortable as you are and will appreciate you breaking the ice.

They just might be a fabulous contact for you or know the right person for you to talk to. You just won't know until you try.

Seek Help
If you can't open up to people, you'll never be able to network and if you absolutely can not overcome your shyness on your own, seek help. Someone who can help you understand why you're so shy and give you the tools to change. It may change your career path and it will change your life, for the better.