Life-Long Learning: Pat Weber Interview Part 1

Life-Long Learning: Pat Weber Interview Part 2

Life-Long Learning: Pat Weber Interview Part 3

Next Questions:
Q.  My passion is learning and performance improvement.  I am an INTJ, how would you structure a learning event to best accommodate me as an introvert?
A. Because I’ve been a corporate trainer since 1990, it took me some time to take the lead on doing such because it seems that many extroverts have a different approach. But I had to be true to myself or I just wasn’t going to be able to give my very best as the trainer. My own learning events include, personal activities for participants on their own, small group discussions, lecture with large group discussions and always a personal action plan for people to synthesize the ideas. If I incorporate role-play, it’s usually in triads with a rotation of the observer, the key role and the secondary role. I always loathed the role plays in front of the group because as an introvert I felt like it was a less than thoughtful approach I would be into.

Q. Generally, can you give introverts some tips to use in learning situations?
A. If you’re the facilitator: when asking questions of the group, as uncomfortable as it might be, allow a full 30 to 60 seconds for people to start to answer. If in that time no one comes forth, but it’s highly unlikely, then, kick off discussion with something like, “Well one thing some people say is …” and have an answer ready to move things forward. If you are the participant, since most learning events are highly extroverting, think out how you can structure as much alone time as you need before, during and after the event.

From the book:
Myth #2: Introverts are shy.
“A second misconception, is that introverts are shy. You can be introvert and shy or you can be introvert and not shy. You can be extrovert and shy or you can be extrovert and not shy. Introvert does not necessarily equal shy.”

We will discuss this more later in the interview.

If you want the book you can get it at http://www.coachingforintroverts.com Her you can get a free 32 page excerpt before you buy the book.
Jim Sutton
Facilitating understanding in the digital age
Virtual World LightHouse
Web 2.0 Community & Business
About Me Page

Life-Long Learning: Pat Weber Interview Part 1

Life-Long Learning: Pat Weber Interview Part 2

Next Questions:

Q. What percent of the population are introverts?
A. The Center for Applications of Psychological Type, at CAPT.org, founded in 1975 with MBTI as their cornerstone, continues to provide information and products around psychological type, archetypes, and related applications. Their 1998 USA sample of 3,00 people found Extroverts 49.3%; Introverts 50.7% – so call it being half of the population.
Q.  What did you enjoy most about writing the book?
A. What a great question! The entire act of writing is mostly – introverting! I had to research, think, analyze, find a structure; you know, you’re a writer. The activities were energizing. Now some people might think the fueling would end there. No so! Even the marketing of it requires analyzing and planning – more introverting before you move to the extroverting. How GREAT is that?

From the book:
Myth #1: Introverts are anti-social.
“It’s an introvert preference for being alone that often creates a first misconception: we’re anti-social. It’s not that we don’t like people and it’s not that we can’t be social. We can be as social as a social butterfly but small doses work best.”

We will discuss this more later in the interview.

If you want the book you can get it at http://www.coachingforintroverts.com Her you can get a free 32 page excerpt before you buy the book.
Jim Sutton
Facilitating understanding in the digital age
Virtual World LightHouse
Web 2.0 Community & Business
About Me Page

Next Questions:

 
Q. I can identify an apple because it is red, round and grows on a tree.  How does a person know if they are an introvert?
A. If you really want to know the complete makeup, it’s best to take something like the MBTI. There are some excellent free ones online however the best is the real one. Now short of these two things I ask my clients to answer this: when you are at a family gathering or a business network event, do you get so charged up you want to stay long after most people have left? Or, have you already planned your exit strategy walking through the door?
Q.  Your new book debunks myths about introverts.  Could you give 2 example of the myths addressed in the book?
A. The one the still bugs me the most is that people think, when we don’t gab throughout a conversation. From their perception they think it’s something “horrible,” and to that, I’ve been called things like,  “Why are you so unfriendly?” Or else,  “You are so aloof.” You might say WHO would call you those things? In the past it was my all out extrovert husband! Now Jim YOU and I know – it just isn’t so. Then one that comes at me regularly, to this day, is the notion, the myth, that introverts are not successful in life. For one thing, if you simply search on the internet for “successful introverts” you’ll have a wonderful nugget to know – it just isnt’ so. But for me personally what happens, because I’ve been in my community for 30 years and people know I am a public speaker, a corporate trainer and my many outward appearances, successful, the reaction is amazing. When I started adding to my elevator pitch tag line, “And America’s #1 Business Sales Coach for Introverts,” is when this one got to me. My long time business friends would LAUGH. I had to know WHY they were laughing. Some of them, serious as you can imagine, would say, “Oh Pat you are NO introvert.” Then I’d probe more, “Why do you say that?” Do you know what they would say Jim. It is amazing what people think introvert is and is not. They would say, “Well you are so successful, and you speak so wonderfully in front of a group.” Really Jim. It’s GOT to stop. It just isn’t so.
Q. You point out inherent strengths of a introvert and provide exercises to sharpen these skills.  Why did you choose to go beyond simply providing evidence to debunk the myths?
A. I LOVE that question. I had to ask myself that same thing as I was writing! But I think it’s the rest of my MBTI type or even more so, my DiSC style. I’m personally results oriented. Yes; I want to start to turn around those myths. But for introverts who are stuck in them, or believe them, and for younger introverts, it’s going to be important that they turn their thinking around. I wanted to give evidence to debunk them as well as evidence that would make people feel as strongly about the myths being myths so they could fuel their personal power with the truth.

Q. How can people purchase a copy of the book?
A. Jim, since it’s an ebook only right now, they can get it at http://www.coachingforintroverts.com They can get a free 32 page excerpt there before they buy.

To read the the previous posts in the interview series:

Life-Long Learning: Pat Weber Interview Part 1

Jim Sutton
Facilitating understanding in the digital age
Virtual World LightHouse
Web 2.0 Community & Business
About Me Page

My fellow INTJ and good friend Pat Weber has recently written Debunking Introvert Myths, an ebook for introverts. Prior to meeting Pat, I knew I was an introvert having taken many personality tests. What Pat brought to my life was a passion for productive, profitable and contented introverts. She has made an impression on my life, profitability, and contentment by refocusing me on how to use my natural strengths and manage areas that drain my energy. So, I thought I would introduce Pat, her work and her book through my blog to you using an interview format. Yes, there is a link at the end to buy the book and learn more. And, in the interest of full disclosure, I am an affiliate for Pat’s new book.

Q. You have a new book out providing evidence to debunk myths about introverts. Why did you write this book?
A. Part of this has been brewing in me for a few years; when the coach I had at the time helped me FINALLY uncover part of that uniqueness about me as a business coach – being a naturally gifted introvert. Then along came social media. Did you know there are more introverts on social media than extroverts? But I could see it might be that slippery slope. That extroverts would jump in and begin to put in their extrovert rules. It, social media, is so new I believe the rules are just being made so why not finally have some kind of socializing that runs by introvert rules? But first, we have to give introverts a much needed energy boost by debunking a lot of myths. So, the book.

Q. So, Pat, how long have you been an introvert?
A. LOL. If the research is true Jim, it seems all my life. Now that you asked, as I think back to being a child, I can remember aunts and uncles trying to coax me into more conversation. They would say, “Patricia, you don’t need to be so shy.” Or “Patricia, why are you always so serious.” Of course, needless to say, I came to believe these kinds of things.

Q. You and I are INTJ’s. What is the primary difference between an introvert and an extrovert?
A. This took me quite a time to understand. I think maybe because of the way Carl Jung initially explained the difference. The REAL difference centers around what energizes an extrovert or an introvert. Keeping in mind that all people introvert and extrovert all day long but we have a PREFERENCE because that’s where we find our stamina grounded. Introverting includes planning, reading, thinking, writing. Extroverting would include giving a presentation, speaking in public, attending a party, being at a networking event. I can and certainly do participate in extroverting but my preference is in introverting, hence, I’m more introverted.

Q. How can people purchase a copy of the book?
A. Jim, since it’s an ebook only right now, they can get it at http://www.coachingforintroverts.com They can get a free 32 page excerpt there before they buy.

Jim Sutton
Facilitating understanding in the digital age
Virtual World LightHouse
Web 2.0 Community & Business
About Me Page