This document discusses temperaments and provides information about introversion and extroversion. It begins by introducing NBC's Heroes television show about ordinary people with special powers. It then provides quizzes and descriptions to help determine if a person is more introverted or extroverted. Examples of introverted and extroverted heroes from the show are given. The document notes some misconceptions about temperaments and provides additional unexpected facts. It discusses why understanding temperaments is important and provides tips for interacting with those of different temperaments.

1. A STAFF OF HEROES
WORKING WELL ACROSS TEMPERAMENTS
Amma Marfo, Emmanuel College

2. HEROES: A REFRESHER
From NBC:
“After a total eclipse casts its shadow across the globe, seemingly calling forth a
multitude of everyday men and women with special powers, Dr. Mohinder Suresh, a
genetics professor from India, continues to champion his father's theory that there are
people with extraordinary abilities living among us […] Their ultimate destiny is nothing
less than saving the world...”

3. SHAKE IT OUT

4. WHERE DO YOU FALL?
Yes or No:
• You enjoy having a wide circle of acquaintances.
• The more people with whom you speak, the better you feel.
• You like to be engaged in an active and fast-paced job.
• You find it easy to share space with others.
• When solving a problem, you like to talk to others or look at
many sources for information.

5. EXTRAVERSION/INTROVERSION
If YES, then Extrovert
If NO, then Introvert
•
Act first, think/reflect later
•
Think/reflect first, then Act
•
Feel deprived when cutoff from
interaction with the outside world
•
Regularly require an amount of "private
time" to recharge batteries
•
Usually open to and motivated by
outside world of people and things
•
Motivated internally, mind is sometimes
so active it "closes" to outside world
•
Enjoy wide variety and change in
people relationships
•
Prefer one-to-one communication and
relationships

6. EXTROVERT HERO
Nathan Petrelli
•
Ambitious
•
Politician
•
Competitive
•
Can fly

7. INTROVERT HERO
Hiro Nakamura
•
Quiet
•
Nervous
•
Computer Programmer
•
Can move through time

8. FIREBALLING: THE DARK SIDE

9. MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT TEMPERAMENTS
Extroverts
Introverts
• Bossy
• Deferent
• Overbearing
• Shy
• Talkative
• Quiet
• Negative
• Stuck-Up
• Thoughtless
• Nerdy

10. FIREBALLING: SEEING THE LIGHT

11. THINGS YOU (PROBABLY) DIDN’T KNOW ABOUT
TEMPERAMENT
Contrary to prior reports, introverts and extroverts are nearly equally represented in
the US population.
There are countries in the Eastern world where introverts outnumber extroverts.
Examples include China, Japan and Taiwan.
Famous introverts include: Will Ferrell, Julia Roberts, Steve Wozniak (co -founder of
Apple) and Warren Buffett.
Famous extroverts include: Bill Clinton, Steve Jobs, Steve Martin, and Margaret Thatcher.
Biological quirks of introverts: they get cold more easily and tend to need to eat more
often.
Shyness and introversion aren’t the same. Shyness is when social situations scare
you; introversion is when social situations tire you.
When asked what makes a good leader, the majority of people will identify traits that
are associated with extroverts- even introverts.

12. THINGS YOU (PROBABLY) DIDN’T KNOW ABOUT
TEMPERAMENT
Introverts have proven to be better leaders than extroverts, when working with
employees or staff that are well-motivated and that take initiative.
Extroverts are driven to act largely based on rewards associated with behaviors,
while introverts are driven to act based on avoidance of things they cannot do.
Extroverts can sometimes be viewed as negative by introverts, because they are willing
to voice concerns and frustrations that introverts normally keep to themselves.
Introverts are typically strong writers, preferring to express themselves through
notes or in emails.
Over 83% of college student leaders identify as extroverts according to the MBTI.
Overall, between 56% and 58% of college students identify as an E.
Two thirds of business students identify as extroverts.
The majority of college and university faculty (55%) are introverts.
Susan Cain: There is no correlation between being the best speaker, and having the
best ideas.

13. WHY DOES IT HELP TO KNOW TEMPERAMENT?
• You can identify areas of strength and possible areas of weakness for
team members
• You can help match specific task assignments with team members
• It will help to improve communications among team members
• It will help individuals understand how different perspectives and methods
can lead to useful and effective problem solving

14. TIPS TO INTERACT ACROSS TEMPERAMENT
•
Think “People First”
•
Temperament Isn’t a Parlor Trick!
•
Don’t Assume
•
Ask Questions of One Another
•
Ask For Help
•
What else?

15. ANY QUESTIONS?
marfoa@emmanuel.edu