Is There Room for Introversion in the Workplace?

In a world where extroverts outnumber introverts 3:1 (according to The Introvert Advantage), how does an introvert stand out in the workplace?

Being an introvert means several things to me: needing to be alone and recharge after being in highly social situations, spending a lot of time analyzing situations internally rather than talking it out, and preferring to stand on the outskirts rather than being at the center of attention. It does not mean being shy or antisocial, though that can be the case sometimes. I'm not antisocial; in fact, I enjoy meeting and talking to new people. But, I do find myself having to take some alone time before being able to hang out again.

The question of introversion in the workplace arises from a recent situation, where I realized I might've benefited more by talking to other people rather than analyzing everything in my head by myself. I often trust my own analyses and emerge confident in my own conclusions after weighing all of the pros and cons rationally. I do sometimes talk things through with my friends, but not before I've already given it a considerable amount of thought. However, the disadvantage of internal debate is that I'm only analyzing based on information I have... and not everything is always how it seems.

When you work in a team environment, perhaps it's not the best method to keep feelings inside. I'm not afraid to discuss facts, but I didn't believe that feelings should be involved in business. However, when you work so closely with your teammates, it's unfair to keep them in the dark all of the time, especially if you're friends with them. And I think this is something I've just recently come to understand - that I don't have to rely on myself. Why can I trust my teammates with business problems, but I can't trust them with life concerns? I don't mean that I should unleash all of my crazy, but I need to learn to trust in others if I expect them to place their trust in me.

I often look to Douglas Conant, the CEO of Campbell's, when this question crosses my mind. He was a guest speaker at my school once, and he mentioned that he's an introvert. I haven't quite figured out how he's able to hold a position that requires him to constantly express both his vision and his concerns, but I believe that I'll eventually find a managing style that suits who I am and still gets things done. Each new situation is a learning experience.