Are Introverts Smarter Than Extroverts?

I recently stumbled upon an intriguing idea while reading Susan Cain’s book Quiet.

Susan notes that extroverts tend to perform better in elementary school, often scoring higher grades than their introverted peers.

However, as students advance to high school and eventually university, the tables turn.

Introverts start to outshine extroverts academically. Naturally, this got me thinking: Does this mean introverts are inherently smarter than extroverts?

Introverts are not smarter

No, they aren’t.

Introverts don’t have higher intelligence than extroverts. IQ tests show that both groups are equally smart.

Extroverts excel in situations where quick thinking and fast action are rewarded. They’re great at engaging with their surroundings, responding to social cues, and handling tasks that require multitasking.

In contrast, introverts are wired to think deeply, reflect carefully, and stick with problems longer, even when the going gets tough. This difference in approach becomes particularly important as academic demands increase and the problems to be solved become more complex.

One of the most fascinating points Susan makes is that introverts’ ability to focus intensely and persist through challenges often gives them the edge in university settings, where deep, sustained thinking is crucial.

So introverts are more likely to have the patience and determination to keep pushing forward, even when progress seems slow or non-existent.

The Chinese Bamboo tree

The more I reflected on this, the more it reminded me of the story of the Chinese bamboo tree.

This remarkable tree doesn’t grow at all for the first five years after it’s planted, even though it’s being watered and nurtured just like any other plant.

Then, suddenly, in the fifth year, it shoots up 90 feet in just six weeks. All that time, the tree was developing a deep and extensive root system, preparing for its rapid growth spurt.

10.000 Hours Rules

This idea also connects well with the 10,000-hour rule popularized by Malcolm Gladwell in Outliers. The rule suggests that mastery in any field requires around 10,000 hours of deliberate practice.

It’s not natural talent that leads to success; it’s putting in the time and effort, consistently and persistently.

Introverts, with their tendency to focus deeply and work persistently, are often well-suited to achieving this kind of mastery.

So, are introverts smarter than extroverts? Not necessarily.

But their persistence, careful thinking, and ability to stay the course through challenging tasks often lead them to excel in areas where quick thinking alone isn’t enough.

But Extroverts Excel at Other Things

While it's clear that introverts can excel academically, how do they fare in leadership roles?

Many might assume that extroverts naturally make better leaders due to their charisma and assertiveness, but Adam Grant, an organizational psychologist, has a more nuanced take.

Grant had a theory about which kinds of circumstances would call for introverted leadership.

His hypothesis was that extroverted leaders enhance group performance when employees are passive, but introverted leaders are more effective with proactive employees. To test this, Grant and his colleagues, Francesca Gino from Harvard Business School and David Hofman from the University of North Carolina, conducted two studies.

In the first study, they analyzed data from one of the five biggest pizza chains in the United States.

The results were fascinating: the weekly profits of stores managed by extroverts were 16 percent higher than those led by introverts, but only when the employees were passive and did their job without much initiative.

However, introverted leaders excelled when their employees were proactive, improving store performance by over 14 percent compared to extroverted leaders.

The second study tested this theory in a more controlled setting. Grant’s team divided 163 college students into teams tasked with folding as many T-shirts as possible in 10 minutes. In some teams, actors were placed to suggest new folding techniques, while in others, the actors passively followed instructions.

The results were striking. Introverted leaders were 20 percent more likely to adopt the new method when proactive suggestions were made, and their teams’ performance improved by 24 percent.

However, when the actors didn’t offer any suggestions and simply followed instructions, the extroverted leaders' teams outperformed those led by introverts by 22 percent.

This research demonstrates that introverts aren't necessarily less effective leaders; they simply thrive in different environments.

When innovation, deep thinking, and employee initiative are crucial, introverts can outperform their extroverted counterparts. On the other hand, extroverts shine when tasks require quick decision-making and directing passive team members.

What does this mean?

It means persistence matters more than raw talent or speed.

Angela Duckworth, in her book Grit, emphasizes that the combination of passion and perseverance (what she calls “grit”) is a key determinant of success.

She argues that grit often outshines natural ability because those who are willing to push through obstacles and keep going, even when progress is slow, are the ones who ultimately achieve their goals.

But in terms of leadership, the type of team and the nature of the task are crucial. Extroverted leaders can energize and guide passive teams, driving immediate results.

However, when innovation and creativity are needed, introverted leaders excel by fostering an environment where proactive team members can contribute their ideas.

Both personality types have their strengths, and success often depends on aligning leadership style with the right circumstances.

So, it’s not about one being better than the other. It’s about knowing when each shines.