Software Developers tend to be introverted

Introversion is the most obvious generality applied to computer programmers. It is also the one that is most generally true. It is a characteristic that explains many of the other generalities about them that I make.

Because computer programmers interact primarily with a thing - a computer - rather than with people, I believe that the profession attracts introverts.

Here is a true story:

About 25 years ago I was managing a software development project. But one particular afternoon, I didn't have much to do I opened a technical magazine and began to read it. I recall, quite specifically, that I even had my feet up on my desk as I was reading.

I don't recall specifically what I was reading, but it must have been interesting because I was able to focus on it for a long time.

When I finished the article, I put the magazine down and stood up to leave my cubicle. When I did so, I found one of the programmers on the project team almost hiding behind the wall of my cubicle. I only saw his face looking around the corner. He said that he had some questions for me. We sat down and talked for about five minutes.

Then, as he was leaving, I asked how long he had been waiting to talk to me. He said that he had been waiting about a half-hour!

Think about that...a half-hour. Imagine waiting for anything for a half-hour. Why wouldn't you interrupt someone who was almost asking to be interrupted? I even had my feet on my desk.

I've always considered myself to be very approachable. But I knew that this programmer was the most introverted person I have ever met. Some people had never heard his voice. I believe that he would have done the same thing with anyone.

Nonetheless, it is absolutely amazing that anyone would wait for so long.

(Since then, I've always made a point of putting my desk so that I can see the entrance to my office.)

It is worth a mention that programmers tend to be much more extroverted when they are among their peers that they are when they are with non-programmers.

Implications:

While frequent project team review meetings are absolutely necessary in order to track the overall progress of each project, it is also important to meet informally one-on-one with each team member on occasion. This should be done in a comfortable environment and atmosphere – most often in the programmer’s cubicle or office.

Many programmers, because of their tendency towards introversion, are a bit intimidated when asked to raise questions or concerns in a larger group. They will tend to be more open in a relaxed, private environment.

This tendency towards introversion also has implications during job interviews. When interviewing a job candidate, it is especially good ideas to have one of the current members of the software development team interview that candidate. The candidate is likely to be more outgoing with another programmer than they are with the actual hiring manager or with someone from Human Resources. This is never a bad idea, but it is especially important when interviewing software developers.