How Introverts Can Thrive at Work: My Journey With These 3 Game-Changing Tips

• I was concerned that my tendency not to speak up during crucial meetings stems from being an introvert.
• However, I understood that I only needed to concentrate on my strengths and establishing a rapport.
• I also discovered that I don't have to constantly voice my thoughts.

Following the acquisition of the healthcare tech company where I was employed, I found myself among the executives at the main office in San Diego, pondering whether they had second thoughts about assigning me to oversee the merger process. felt overwhelmed This led me to stay quiet and hardly participate, and I was sure they were thinking: Who invited her? What is she doing occupying a spot?

Later, when I was back in my hotel room, I reflected on everything I wished I had voiced or the inquiries I ought to have made. I berated myself for not being more proactive. an introvert And hoped I possessed the ability to effortlessly articulate my words and swiftly organize my thoughts and concepts.

Many people are astonished when they find out that I identify as an introvert. This reaction stems from the fact that much of my professional life has been dedicated to working as a trainer and public speaker.

Following some personal evaluation and reading Susan Cain's book "Quiet," I found out that I am an introvert. This book assisted me in identifying my strengths associated with being introverted, such as carefully listening, introspecting, and posing thoughtful questions.

This also implies that I don’t engage in verbal processing as frequently as many extroverts do, which can pose challenges. office setting Many offices center their activities around meetings, open-concept work areas when you’re at the workplace, or discussion-based brainstorming sessions aimed at generating ideas.

However, my mind does not function like that, so I had to discover my own route.

Below are 3 tips that assisted me in flourishing as an introverted professional at my job.

I discovered how to embrace my strengths.

The night following the gathering in San Diego, while seated in my hotel chamber, I jotted down every rationale I could conceive regarding why my CEO had desired my presence. strategy meetings and leading a key company integration project. I came up with reasons like "I am good at leading change" and "I am an expert at training and development."

Upon reflection, I concluded that if I wished to make a difference as a leader, I had to take ownership of my actions. unique talents And assert my strengths of introversion — such as being an attentive listener and posing insightful queries.

This enabled me to realize that although I might not possess every solution, I can lean on my commitment to learning and posing queries during gatherings to initiate conversations or pinpoint the adjustments I would need to make.

Carrying out this action assisted me in conquering my issue. imposter syndrome and own my voice.

I concentrated on building a relationship rather than choosing my words carefully.

I would often struggle when getting ready for presentations, fretting over aspects such as: What exactly should I say, what’s the best way to go about it, and what if everyone considers it foolish?

To escape from this cycle, I taught myself to inquire: What method resonates with me? my values And what emotions do I aim to evoke in them?

This enabled me to move away from dwelling on my concerns and instead concentrate on engaging with my audience and building a connection.

One of my coaching clients exemplified this effectively. She was anxious about having a difficult conversation When dealing with an employee who had fluctuating performance, I inquired about her preference for how the employee should experience this discussion. She visibly eased up as she replied, “What matters most to me is that they leave feeling noticed, assisted, and aware of specific steps they need to follow.”

This enabled my client to channel her nervousness towards engaging more effectively with her coworker, ensuring that their discussion would produce results beneficial for both parties involved.

I discovered that I only need to voice my thoughts when it feels genuinely true to who I am.

A few years ago, I wrote about My highly personal journey through IVF treatments. Once the piece was published online, it sparked an overwhelming wave of harmful, critical, and ill-informed remarks on the magazine’s social media platforms.

Although reading them was challenging, I have no regrets about penning the article. The reason being, bringing attention to infertility issues and pushing for improved workplace policies resonates deeply with my personal beliefs.

From this experience, I realized that my voice carries the most weight when it echoes what matters deeply to me. Previously, I thought being more outgoing and achieving success meant voicing my opinions on every topic. However, that’s not true. All I need to do is identify what truly resonates with me and then express myself at the appropriate moment.

I realized I need to be my strongest authentic self To achieve success and let that determine what I choose to express and the manner in which I convey my message.

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