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'Introverts unite!' Community coaxes solitary souls out of shells
Susan Cain’s highly acclaimed book, Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking argues that society undervalues introverts. She explains that introversion is not the same as shyness.
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Unlike extroverts, who are energized by being around people and socializing, introverts need alone time to recharge. (shutterstock.com/-)
I
t might sound like an oxymoron – introverts and networking – but such a group of selectively social souls gathered over the weekend to meet and connect.
The room was relatively quiet for a networking event on Saturday in a high-rise building in South Jakarta. Hosted in a room that could accommodate up to 60 participants, there were gaps in between the seats available.
“This is what a networking event for introverts looks like,” said Indra Hadiwidjaja, one of the participants in the event, called Introverts Network Asia (INA), in a comment to address the lack of noise in the room. He pointed out that introverts tend to have an edge when they find themselves at social events.
Indra, a financial planner at an insurance company, had joined several meet-ups prior to attending the one on Saturday. The sales executive said he had always been an introvert.
“In junior high school, in high school, I wouldn’t dare to raise my hand in class, even if I knew the answers,” said Indra.
He explained that his upbringing had affected his communication style. His father passed away when Indra was young and his mother had to work two shifts to support the family. Indra grew accustomed to solitude, especially being an only child.
He made an effort to be more outgoing at university. About a year after he graduated and landed a job, he forced himself to learn public speaking.
