What This Study Found
Introverts overestimate how bad extroverted behavior will feel. When researchers asked introverts to predict how they'd feel acting extroverted (like speaking up in meetings or networking), they forecast feeling self-conscious and negative. But when they actually engaged in these behaviors, introverts enjoyed them just as much as extroverts did—they just couldn't predict this beforehand.
Acting extroverted makes everyone happier, regardless of personality type. Across five studies with nearly 600 people, researchers found that extroverted behaviors consistently increased positive feelings for both introverts and extroverts. The difference wasn't in the outcome—it was in the prediction.
Why This Matters for Kind Leaders
Stop avoiding high-visibility opportunities based on predicted discomfort. When you decline to present your team's quarterly results to senior leadership or skip the industry conference, you might be making decisions based on forecasting errors rather than reality. The research suggests that once you're actually in these situations, you'll likely feel more confident and engaged than you predict.
Use past positive experiences as forecasting calibration. Think back to times when you successfully led a cross-functional project, gave a well-received presentation, or built rapport with a difficult stakeholder. Your brain likely told you those situations would be uncomfortable too, but they probably went better than expected. Remind yourself that your forecasting tends to be overly pessimistic, helping you make more strategic career decisions based on evidence rather than anxious predictions.
Access the Full Paper
Zelenski, J. M., Whelan, D. C., Nealis, L. J., Besner, C. M., Santoro, M. S., & Wynn, J. E. (2013). Personality and affective forecasting: Trait introverts underpredict the hedonic benefits of acting extraverted. Journal of Personality & Social Psychology, 104(6), 1092. https://psycnet.apa.org/record/2013-13271-001
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