Who Knew?! Famous Introverts

Many of you, (especially if you’re at work), might look at your computer and see the brand “DELL” plastered somewhere on it. The person who began the technology giant is named Michael Dell…and guess what…INTROVERT! (BAM!)

How do I know such intimate details of Dell’s personality? I just completed a great book called Integrity, which looks at the aspects the character of successful people. Dell is one of the leaders briefly profiled.

The excerpt on p.72-73 of the book is taken from the November 3, 2003 issue in Business Week magazine. It reads:

“…personality tests given to key execs repeatedly showed Dell to be an “off-the-charts introvert…”

I shed a tear of joy as my heart leapt a little in my chest in reading that. A successful, well-known introvert! There’s hope! But the next part of that sentence in the excerpt troubled me:

“…and such an admission from him had to have been painful.”

Nooooooo! What a roller coaster ride of emotions all in one sentence. How DARE you, Business Week?! I obviously don’t see the admission of being an introvert as being painful. Why should it be taboo to observe ourselves to be an introvert? While on my way to Barnes & Noble to purchase all Business Week copies for a bonfire protest in the parking lot (I'll show you an off-the-charts introvert, Business Week!), I came to my senses and realized that statements like that are a reason why this blog exists. So I’ll stick it to them in blog-form with a tribute to a famous introvert, Michael Dell.

In fairness to the excerpt, the context of the article was to point out how Dell was viewed as impersonal and emotionally detached by his employees, and he was striving to connect with his employees by being vulnerable and authentic. Dell had obviously not been managing his introversion well, and I guess having to face that fact is the painful part.

But we should not be ashamed of our introversion. I mean, Dell did start a hugely successful technology company. I would imagine that the same introverted qualities viewed as a virtue while growing the company were the same qualities viewed as a hindrance when the company morale was faltering. The article does go on to say about how Dell reformed his introversion in such a way that made him vulnerable and relatable, without abandoning who he is.

For the ability to reform and manage his introversion as a strength, we salute you, Michael Dell.

Do you know of any other famous introverts?