Not all introverts are brilliant scientists and metaphysicians, but there are three things most have in common. Focus/concentration, love of pets and modesty are typical of most introverts.

Newton's ability to concentrate was just amazing … just like your favorite introvert; however, most of us have more social awareness than British genius. Here are a couple of anecdotes, first taken from T. Moore's "Memoirs, Journals, and Correspondence".

"Newton invited a friend to dinner but then forgot engagement. When friend arrived, he found scientist deep in meditation, so he sat down quietly and waited. In due course one dinner was brought up. Newton had forgotten to tell his servant a guest was expected. Newton continued to be abstracted. The friend drew up a chair and, without disturbing host, consumed dinner. After he had finished, Newton came out of his reverie, looked with some bewilderment at empty dishes, and said, 'If it weren't for proof before my eyes, I could have sworn that I have not yet dined.'"

Not only can your favorite introvert concentrate like this, s/he needs to concentrate like this. If there's one thing designed to stress your introverted pal to max, it's interruptions. That's why we don't like and I mean h a t e telephones and especially cells.

Here's another amusing example of Newton's ability to concentrate. On his way home from town one day, Newton dismounted and walked his horse by its bridle so it could rest. The anecdoter continues, "As always his mind wandered. Perhaps he was thinking about four wheel carriage he'd just built or system of shorthand he'd created or maybe he was just watching sunlight on grass and wondering what made grass green … miles and hours later he arrived at home not even aware that horse had long ago slipped out of its bridle and he had walked whole way back, alone."

Do you know anyone like this? If you try to change them, you'll destroy one of their greatest gifts, gift to concentrate, and give them nothing in return. Please let introverts be more consciously introverted and don't make them try to be extroverted to have your respect. Liza's father was a brilliant introvert. They bought him umbrellas by dozen because he left them on Chicago "L" going to and from work in rain. He always left them. Always.

Another common characteristic of introverts is their love of pets. Sometimes a pet is introvert's best companion. N*O S*M*A*L*L T*A*L*K.

Sir Isaac Newton had a dog named Diamond who has become famous right along with him. I guess he was pretty smart. Newton once bragged to his friend Wallis about his little dog Diamond. 'My dog Diamond knows some mathematics. Today he proved two theorems before lunch.'. 'Your dog must be a genius,' said Wallis. 'Oh I wouldn't go that far,' replied Newton. 'The first theorem had an error and second had a pathological exception.'" I know, you had to be there.

An even better story concerned night Diamond knocked over candle on Newton's desk, starting a fire that destroyed records of many years' research (!). Legend has it that Newton, viewing destruction, said only, "O Diamond, Diamond, thou little knowest damage thou hast done." (R. Hendrickson's "The Literary Life" and other sources … this is a very popular tail, I mean tale!)

Last but not least, Newton was a modest man considering his accomplishments and intelligence. Asked one day how he had come to make his remarkable discoveries, he replied, "By always thinking about them."

If you're hiring someone for a job, it would be good to know this characteristic of introverts lest you underestimate their capabilities based on their modest but accurate representation of themselves and hire a showy extrovert with half talent instead(!) Introverts lack desire to dress their own windows, a quality you will come to appreciate if you hire one. Instead of window dressing, they will focus, concentrate and work a full day instead.

Look for these qualities when interviewing an introvert: ability to concentrate and modest, accurate communication. As for pets, they might even have a photo in their wallet.