Calling all introverts, aka those who just need their quiet time, aren't always the first to speak up in a meeting, or dread those work social events. I won't try to put us in a box, but you're not alone. In fact, the more I inquired, I found we're much more common than we think and even the most accomplished leaders identify as introverts. Here's a few ways to best lean into your authentic introverted self by answering our most common hurdles.
Standing out when less outspoken
Are you concerned that your tendencies to be less chatty in meetings or larger settings is harming your ability to standout or get promoted? Well, I have good news, it's not! However, sometimes it may be misinterpreted for a lack of engagement and there's a few ways you can combat this:
- share your feedback, questions, comments, ideas, etc. offline or in a more comfortable setting (ex. one-on-one meeting, slack message, quick email, etc.)
- you might be less likely to speak up because you're in that head of yours thinking about what is being shared vs blurting out what's on your mind. A great way to show your engaged and listening is to ask questions vs. speaking just to speak. Likely you'll share something someone else hadn't thought about and one of the best compliments you can receive is that 'when you do speak, everyone listens'
- create a career development plan and communicate that with your leadership one-on-one. The reality is that your promotion opportunity is about what you do, not what you say. If you show you're intentional about your career growth and doing you're job well, you will stand out.
Staying energized with non-stop meetings
Meetings are a dread. At least for you they are and sometimes it can feel like one more meeting might make you crawl under your desk just to get away. While it's not always easy, here's a few things you can do to keep your battery powered.
- block off your calendar for the time you need to recover, think, and be your most productive. This can be first few hours at the start or end of your day, or one full day a week, etc.. Your well-being is essential for you to bring your best self to work. And most importantly, don't give the time back (at least not often). Most people will respect blocks on your calendar and the time you're taking is arguably more important than any meeting.
- Take a walking meeting if you can! Listen in while walking outside or down the halls. You can even have your regular touch bases be a walking meeting. This will help boost your energy and keep you going throughout the day.
- Listen to yourself. It's okay to reschedule, not turn your camera on, or even cancel if it's not that important to begin with.
Uncomfortable social situations
Last but not least, social hour. Maybe you go because you don't want to be the odd one out, or pass and worry it might hurt your team connections. Either way, you don't have to force yourself to do anything that you don't want to and here's a few ways you could go about it.
- Connect in the ways which are comfortable for you. Perhaps you form deeper connections with fewer people or prefer smaller gatherings to larger ones, and that's okay! Define when you're most comfortable, or what it takes to get there, and stay true to that. You'll wind up forming more meaningful connections in the long-run
- Suggest alternatives that are more appealing to you and other like-minded teammates. Perhaps an activity, ex. an escape room or trivia, is a more comfortable setting for you than Happy Hour down the street. I am sure your fellow introverts will be happy you did!
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