Talking to people is exhausting. I get it. I’m an introvert, too. However, many of the most successful business people are introverts. Your personality doesn’t dictate your career success. Your actions do.
Is it easier for extroverts to excel in business? Possibly. So much of business success is tied to networking, but that’s not the only piece of the puzzle. I often think life would be easier if I were an extrovert, but it’s really just a case of “the grass is always greener,” isn’t it?
Extroverts face challenges in achieving success, too. Distractions might be more frequent and finding focus could be a problem when you’re energized by interacting with other people. In other words, being an extrovert has it’s drawbacks just like being an introvert does.
So how do you embrace your introvertedness and find success without fighting against the real you? Here are five tips you can follow to be true to yourself while charting a course to reach your career goals.
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1. Identify the Types of Interactions that Energize You
As an introvert who wants to build a successful career, you need to identify the types of interactions that energize you and pursue activities that allow you to enjoy those interactions. For example, if in-person networking isn’t your thing, social media might give you a perfect place to build your brand from the comfort of your desk.
2. Find the Environments that Motivate You
Introverts can be significantly affected by their environments. Busy offices with open cubicles can destroy an introvert’s productivity level. With that in mind, choose a career and working environment where you can thrive or you’ll constantly struggle to be happy.
3. Be Social on Your Own Terms
Most introverts find social interactions draining. The trick is to be selectively social. Choose social interactions that put you in the most comfortable environment possible. When you can’t avoid uncomfortable social situations, make sure you practice small talk in advance. For introverts, making small talk can be agonizing, but if you prepare in advance, you can get through it.
4. Recognize Opportunities that are Right for You
Not every opportunity matches your goals, and not every opportunity matches your abilities as an introvert. For example, many introverts struggle as public speakers. Getting up in front of an audience and talking about a topic they love isn’t the problem. It’s the required social interactions and inevitable small talk that comes with those speaking gigs that cause them problems. Recognize your limitations and adjust your path to accentuate your strengths rather than make yourself uncomfortable.
5. Build an Appropriate Personal Brand
Don’t try to be what you aren’t, and don’t try to make people think you’re something that you’re not. The way you present yourself in person, on the phone, in email messages, and online should be consistent. This is your personal brand. Don’t think of being an introvert as a negative. It could be exactly what gives you a creative edge! Instead, embrace it as an integral part of who you are and allow the positive parts of your personality trait to shine through in everything you do.
Susan Gunelius
Susan Gunelius is the Founder and Editor-in-Chief of Women on Business. She is a 30-year veteran of the marketing field and has authored a dozen books about marketing, branding, and social media, including the highly popular Ultimate Guide to Email Marketing, 30-Minute Social Media Marketing, Content Marketing for Dummies, Blogging All-in-One for Dummies and Kick-ass Copywriting in 10 Easy Steps. Susan’s marketing-related content can be found on Entrepreneur.com, Forbes.com, MSNBC.com, BusinessWeek.com, and more. Susan is President & CEO of KeySplash Creative, Inc., a marketing communications company. She has worked in corporate marketing roles and through client relationships with AT&T, HSBC, Citibank, Intuit, The New York Times, Cox Communications, and many more large and small companies around the world. Susan also speaks about marketing, branding and social media at events around the world and is frequently interviewed by television, online, radio, and print media organizations about these topics. She holds an MBA in Management and Strategy and a Bachelor of Science degree in Marketing and is a Certified Professional Career Coach (CPCC).
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I love the comment at the end of the article that says “don’t think of being an introvert as negative”. I never thought of things that way since I’m an introvert myself (INFJ) but I suppose there are people out there who think it’s a horrible thing.
I also like the idea of finding those interactions that we like to have. Our interactions, as introverts, should be meaningful. I’ve found that I tend to dislike the ones that don’t have any point to them. What’s the point of having the conversation in the first place if you aren’t going to talk about something you both enjoy talking about?
I completely agree, Lisa! Being an introvert shouldn’t be seen as a negative!