As it is said, a good idea becomes a great idea when you let it out. But it’s not hard to notice that there is a clear distinction between introverts and extroverts regarding idea-sharing. While extroverts are firm believers of that saying, introverts tend to follow it less. This is why it often seems like extroverts are always sharing better ideas than introverts.

But that is not always true. Just because you don’t see many ideas coming out of an introvert’s mouth doesn’t mean they are incapable of brainstorming ideas. In fact, because of their keen observation skills and focused inner thoughts, introverts are more likely to develop better ideas. And it is because they have better ideas than they often choose to keep to themselves.

Stephen Hawking once said, “Quiet people have the loudest minds.” And he wasn’t wrong. Extroverts can always jump into conversations and work interactively because their social battery is always more recharged when around other people. For introverts, it is ultimately the opposite. They are more inclined to save up their energy by talking less or talking only when needed.

To a third person, the quietness of an introvert may come across as a lack of participation. But it is because they talk less than their observation antennas are always activated. They observe the situation around them, process it at their own pace, listen to the opinions of every other person in the group closely, and run their brain in full gear to develop an idea. As Jeffri Sandy said, “It’s as if extroverts are seeing “what is” while their introverted peers are asking “what if.”

So, while extroverts tend to share their ideas with others and develop the idea through mutual discussions and suggestions, introverts are more likely to keep the idea in their own head and develop it in their own way, at their own pace. This is why often, even though introverts may have better ideas, they will remain unsaid. Introverts simply approach the concept of ideas in a different way than extroverts.

Think about it. When you know you have an awesome idea, do you immediately want to share it with someone else with the hope that something better will come out of it? Or do you think that the idea is too good to be shared, that if you share it, it might get stolen or altered to the point that you won’t deserve any credit for it? While extroverts previously approach ideas, introverts often latterly come to them.

While it has a lot to do with extroverts being better with social interactions than introverts, it’s also because introverts are often overthinkers. Since they speak less and spend a lot of time in their minds, they tend to consider all kinds of possibilities of a situation, and realizing the negative possibilities holds them back. Meanwhile, extroverts don’t think too much and say what’s on their mind.

As you might realize already, it also has a lot to do with confidence. Extroverts have more confidence in sharing their opinions even if they think the opinion isn’t correct, while introverts have more confidence with their opinions but less in sharing them with others. This lack of confidence becomes stronger when they know they have a better idea to share, an idea no one else has thought about yet.

Why? Because introverts do not like to be the center of attention. And sharing the awesome idea might single them out in a group of people. While the attention they receive might be positive, they fear the possibility of it being negative. If a lot of people are against the idea though the introvert knows that the idea is better, it can overwhelm them from many directions. And one negative social experience can downgrade their confidence level even more.

When they have good ideas, introverts also tend to feel like they will get stolen by someone else, especially an extrovert. This is because extroverts are louder generally, so they might often intentionally or unintentionally speak over an introvert. Even though an introvert shared the idea, an extrovert might fuel it with their enthusiasm and steal the limelight to a great extent. Again, this isn’t because extroverts are selfish. It’s just because they easily become the center of attention.

In conclusion, both extroverts and introverts are capable of coming up with the best ideas in their own ways. However, to make sure introverts also feel confident in sharing their ideas like extroverts, it is important to provide them with that kind of comfortable environment. It is important to be inclusive towards them in that setting and always hear what they have to say. Ultimately, the most successful ideas are born from the little ideas of everyone involved!