10 tips to help introverts win at work
Today’s post is by Jennifer Kahnweiler, author of “The Introverted Leader: Building on Your Quiet Strength.”
Even in today’s noisy business world, introverts can still learn to build on their quiet strength and succeed. The goal is not changing your personality or natural work style, but embracing and expanding who you are. Here are 10 tips to help you make it happen:
- Have a game plan. Rather than wing it on the people part of your job, have a game plan. Prepare for high-stakes meetings and conversations — anticipating questions and rehearsing your responses. Fact is, just as you strategize for key projects and tasks, you need to plan ahead for connecting with people—and taking regular timeouts to recharge your batteries.
- Communicate early and often. It’s easy for introverts to be out of sight — and out of mind. So, take the initiative in sharing information — communicating early and often with higher-ups, team members, and project stakeholders. Don’t wait to be asked for updates or news about your accomplishments. Find out what people need to feel confident in you and provide it to them — ahead of time.
- Match the medium to the message. Resist the temptation to hide behind e-mail. It may appear to be the easiest or safest channel, but it’s not always the right one. For every exchange, match the medium to the message—determining if texting, e-mail, phone, or face-to-face is best. Texting and e-mail may be great for quick exchanges, but they miss the mark in critical high-touch areas, including developing relationships and delivering difficult news.
- Use social networking to set the stage. Technology is a great tool for preparing to meet people. Use social networking Web sites such as Facebook and Twitter to set the stage for connecting with others in person at meetings and events. You can introduce yourself, find common ground, and send helpful “news you can use” items—all in a low-key yet friendly way.
- Assert yourself. Assertiveness gets a bum rap. Often confused with aggressiveness, it is simply being open, honest, and direct—asking for what you need and want. If you fail to assert yourself at work, you risk losing career-making opportunities and suffering the side effects of pent-up anger, resentment, and disappointment. Four out of five introverts say extroverts are more likely to get ahead where they work.
- Get your voice in the room. Without delay, speak up in meetings and conference calls. Try to make your first comment no more than five minutes into the session. Even a quick question, remark, or paraphrase will do. You need to be seen as a contributor, but the longer you wait, the harder it becomes.
- Stand up to “talkers.” Don’t be afraid to take on the talkers in group or one-on-one settings. There are several ways to stand up and get a word in edgewise. One simple, sure-fire strategy: hold up your hand, give the stop or timeout signal, and calmly announce, “I’d like to say something.”
- Ask great questions. There is power in the questions you ask. At work, asking great questions can mean figuring out what’s really important to organizational and individual success—including yours. Two invaluable questions for your boss: “What keeps you up at night?” and “How will you measure success?”
- Value humor. “A smile is the shortest distance between two people,” mused entertainer Victor Borge. As a reserved, inner-focused contributor, you can overcome perceptions of being standoffish or too serious by smiling, laughing, and having fun now and then. You need not “yuk it up”—just be goodhumored.
- Be a storyteller. Stories put oomph into ideas and help engage and connect people. Make storytelling a part of your own style—weaving real-life anecdotes and examples into talks and presentations. You may not be a natural-born storyteller, but you can learn to spot great stories—and spin a good yarn. Finally, practice, practice, practice. Learning new skills and behaviors may be uncomfortable at first, but with conscious repetition and refinement, you can manage your introversion—and rise and shine!
Image credit, SteveLuker, via iStock
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Tags: career advice, introverts, presentation skills
Categories: Advice
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Posted by W. Tinnen on July 27th, 2009 at 1:32 pm
If you were an introvert wouldn’t step 2 be outside your persona?
Posted by W. Tinnen on July 27th, 2009 at 1:36 pm
This article should be titled “How to NOT be an Introvert”
Posted by W. Tinnen on July 27th, 2009 at 1:40 pm
Or, “How to be someone you’re not”
Posted by W. Tinnen on July 27th, 2009 at 1:42 pm
Or, “If you’re an introvert you better change or you ain’t gonna cut it”
Posted by Liju on July 27th, 2009 at 1:50 pm
Is anyone really reading these?
“Assert yourself, Stand up to talkers, Ask great questions” – it is the inability to do exactly these that make an introvert, introverted.
Posted by Gwen McCauley on July 27th, 2009 at 2:02 pm
Hi there – As someone with a big-time preference for Extroversion, stepping forward verbally is not much of an issue for me. But here’s what my Introversion preferenced friends often do for me …when I am yammering on, they’ll often ask “Is that really your position on that or are you just thinking your position through?” I very much appreciate the reminder that meetings aren’t necessarily the best place to think things through out loud …and when I get lost in the sound of my own voice I also appreciate the reminder to allow space for others to contribute.
Of course, having invested some time in building rapport with people who aren’t as verbally assertive as I am has been necessary before this can happen. And as I’ve gotten older I more easily remember to let others have time and space to speak. But when I am really passionate about something, it is always a delight to be reminded to take a pause.
Gwen McCauley
Posted by Julie on July 27th, 2009 at 2:02 pm
This seems to equate introversion with being shy and quiet. They are not the same thing at all. Introverts get their energy from being along. That doesn’t mean that they are shy or afraid to talk in public though some are.
Posted by Anonymous on July 27th, 2009 at 2:48 pm
You know… as bad as it might sound, I tried this kinda stuff, and it ended up causing more problems and eventually got me fired. This article is complete bologna. Total bullsh*t. Not worth my time.
Posted by Quiet One on July 27th, 2009 at 3:41 pm
This was clearly not written by an introvert. It’s also too many words, its point can be summed up as “Just say something.” Bah.
Posted by Kristi on July 27th, 2009 at 3:57 pm
As another commenter pointed out, there seems to be a mixing of being an introvert and being shy. There can be shy extroverts and social introverts, as well. It is all about where one draws energy. If you leave a crowded room feeling more energized, you are likely an extrovert; if your battery is drained by that same scenario, you are likely an introvert.
And to clarify…having traits of an introvert or extrovert is a PREFERENCE, not a paralyzing condition. It absolutely does not mean that one can not behave outside of the that preference when called upon or when one chooses.
Posted by Nerkles on July 27th, 2009 at 4:17 pm
@Kristi: you are wrong, it’s not a choice at all. Our brains are literally wired differently than extroverts. FMRI scans proved it. See article in The Atlantic.
Posted by Jennifer Kahnweiler on July 27th, 2009 at 5:50 pm
Thanks to everyone for the energy in this dialogue! I totally agree that introversion is not a problem, nor is it about being shy (a product of fear and anxiety in social settings).
I have learned from introverts that using some of these behaviors has made a difference – for themselves, their team members and organizations.
Posted by Michael on July 28th, 2009 at 8:01 am
Slight correction: Victor Borge said “Laughter is the shortest distance between two people.” Not a smile.
Great article!
Posted by Patricia Weber on July 28th, 2009 at 9:46 am
As introverts we often live under an umbrella of myths that have become truths over time. That meme effect. Your article is an encouragement in particular because of acknowledging that we don’t have to become extroverts! We can actually win letting that notion go and being exactly who we are and just LEVERAGE our innate strengths.
Patricia Weber
Blogging Business Sales Tips for Introverts and Shy
Posted by Tonia on July 28th, 2009 at 10:03 am
I am an introvert. I’ve read hundreds of articles and books on the topic of introversion. This article definately was not written by an introvert. Although the ideas may seem to be helpful, they are once again, trying to change the introvert because the extrovert thinks there is something wrong with the introvert. Isn’t it time for the extroverts to discover the strengths of introverts and truly understand that we do think differently, need quiet time to re-energize our energy and that there is nothing wrong with us?
Posted by An introvert on July 28th, 2009 at 12:53 pm
I’m an off the scale introvert. I have used many of these techniques successfully. An introvert can do any of these things it just takes more energy. So figure out how to recharge.
Posted by Marcus on July 29th, 2009 at 4:24 am
Quiet One, W Tinnen, Tonia and Liju are bang on the money here.
The suggestions involve changing from introverted to extroverted behaviour at the flick of a switch. That is right up in the not-gonna-happen category along with changing from being right handed to being left handed. Or having Mr. McGoo drive his car – no make that your car – without his spectacles.
Posted by heather on July 29th, 2009 at 9:04 am
“Introvert” should not equate to a character flaw, but saddly it does seem to have that connotation in American society. As a few have pointed out here, introvert/extrovert is not about how one presents themselves, but rather where they recharge their batteries (in private or in public). As an introvert in an extroverted field, it occurred to me a long time ago that I needed to consiously apply tactics such as those described here, and doing so has helped me to become much more visible and better at merchandising the quieter, more thoughtful qualities that I bring to the table. These tips may seem like common sense for many, but it is solid advice nonetheless.
Posted by Dresden on July 29th, 2009 at 7:55 pm
I’m a hardcore introvert and somewhat shy (not nearly as much as when I was younger). For me social networking online can be just as exhausting as dealing with people in real life.
In an attempt to make connections with others and to do business, I’ve been trying hard to get into the whole social networking thing. I’ve been blogging on and off for years but over the past year have signed-up on several social sites which I ultimately grow weary of. Everything I’ve read and witnessed is that you need to produce content of a regular basis or else everyone moves on. I’ve often had to take sabbaticals – sometimes for a day, other times for months – and when I return after a long time gone I basically have to start all over again. Whew. I’d get frustrated with myself for not being able to keep up, but am starting to accept that it simply is not my style.
I’ll continue blogging and tweeting when I have something to say or share, but for the most part I’m ready to ditch most of the social sites I’ve signed-up on.
Posted by Momentor » Blog Archive » 7/30/09: Top Career Posts this Week on July 30th, 2009 at 7:10 am
[...] From Smartbrief: 10 tips to help introverts win at work “Even in today’s noisy business world, introverts can still learn to build on their quiet strength and succeed. The goal is not changing your personality or natural work style, but embracing and expanding who you are. Here are 10 tips to help you make it happen.” [...]
Posted by Andy Parkinson’s World » Blog Archive » 7/30/09: Top Career Posts this Week on July 30th, 2009 at 12:33 pm
[...] From Smartbrief: 10 tips to help introverts win at work “Even in today’s noisy business world, introverts can still learn to build on their quiet strength and succeed. The goal is not changing your personality or natural work style, but embracing and expanding who you are. Here are 10 tips to help you make it happen.” [...]
Posted by Lesa Caskey on July 30th, 2009 at 12:34 pm
Extroverts learn to keep their mouths shut during meetings and some have to constantly remind themselves to be good listeners in order to be successful in the workplace. Ultimately, I think everyone has some kind of learning curve when it comes to business culture so it stands to reason that both introverts and extroverts have their own set of lessons to practice and hopefully learn.
It is certainly not the case that extroverts think something is wrong with introverts. It is more that extroverts simply step up and talk about issues they feel should be addressed, especially when they feel they have an answer to something they recognize as being problematic for them or someone else. Being introverted and/or shy in the workplace most definitely has a strong impact on professional development. Now, whether this impact is negative or not is subjective, but the essence of the observation is a fact.
If we all take a breath and ask ourselves “am I being attacked right now?” I think that many unnecessary confrontations and angry words would be spared.
Posted by CollegeRecruiter.com Insights by Career Counselors Blog on August 12th, 2009 at 7:00 am
Coming Out of Your Shell at Work…
Not everyone can be the office version of a social butterfly; some people just aren’t hard wired that way. This can make an internship or entry level job experience painful because some people don’t understand others who are quiet……
Posted by Epic on June 23rd, 2010 at 1:43 am
Good info. It can be hard in the workplace without the domineering personality.