标题：哪种性格的人，事业容易成功？

The modern manager has to play the role of coach in charge of their team. And that requires an understanding of the different personality types they may be managing.

Karl Moore, an associate professor at McGill University in Canada, has written two recent articles on the role of different personality types in business. One of the most common divides is between introverts and extroverts.

Mr Moore estimates that around 40% of the population are introverts, 40% are extroverts and 20% are "ambiverts" who can display both characteristics.

It is easy to assume that the extroverts are most likely to go far in business. An academic study found that extroverts were 25% more likely to be in a high-earning job than those who were less outgoing.

The chain of causation is not clear. It is possible that working in high-paid job makes people more confident and outgoing, although personality traits tend to develop early in life.

The study also found that the children of professionals were more likely to be extrovert. It could simply be that children who grow up in more prosperous homes are less likely to face the kind of stressful events that undermine self-confidence.

People with higher self-confidence may apply for more prestigious job and may be more likely to believe that their efforts will be rewarded; those with a negative self-image may feel it is not worth trying too hard.

So introverts should not give up hope of climbing the greasy pole. A study in 2017 found that introverts were slightly more likely than extroverts to surpass the expectations of boards and investors when appointed as chief executive.

Ambiverts can be good salespeople because they are able to listen to their clients and understand their needs but also have the energy to sell their firm's goods and services.

Mr Moore thinks that successful executives have to become ambiverts at times in order to succeed. Introverts must try to show enthusiasm, or make a stirring speech, when the situation calls for it.

And extroverts need to shut up and listen to their teams --not least because when the boss speaks first, subordinates will be reluctant to disagree.

未完待续

文章来自经济学人