Introverts have the hardest time making it into the corporate world. In fact, surviving that world can be nothing less of a miracle. Because– and let’s be honest here– introverts aren’t exactly celebrated in the cutthroat corporate world.
Today, we’re going to show you ways that not only help you make it into the corporate world as an introvert but will make you thrive.
The introvert is almost always viewed as closed off, awkward, and shy, which may not be so bad if that didn’t end up making them be overlooked for promotion in favor of their more outgoing and visible coworkers. This harsh environment won’t seem so daunting if you know how to navigate it.
The first step is picking a job with a position that you love. Now, here’s how to thrive!
Never Pretend to Be Something That You’re Not
The last, last thing you want to do– even for your personal sake– is to start on the corporate ladder by pretending that you’re someone that you’re not. People can spot fakeness, and even if they don’t, being fake may help you do well in those one on one interactions, but this is harming yourself.
This can cause you anxiety and may even prevent you from putting your best foot forward. You’re not playing up to your true, impressive strengths. That facade is exhausting, and the image that you created will be difficult to maintain and will eventually result in your being burned out.
Don’t do this for yourself. You can be honest with others and with yourself– and gain the admiration and respect of others by not pretending.
The chances are that your boss will see your introverted strengths and view them as the assets that they are. Otherwise, you’re preventing yourself from being the best employee that you can be.
Quiet
by Susan Cain
⏱ 16 minutes reading time
🎧 Audio version available
Make Close-Knit Friendships
Let’s be honest. The office introvert isn’t often the most popular among their colleagues, and that’s okay! The mystery around you may even be alluring. But that doesn’t mean you should be hunched over your desk, glued to your chair, and entirely avoid speaking to others.
It goes against our instinct to “waste time” with gossip and small talk, but office gossip isn’t a way to network. Allow a few minutes of office networking away, even if it’s by the water cooler. It will benefit your career in the long run.
And it will prove to people that you do exist and that you’re not as closed off as they may think. Make a few true friends and build close-knit relationships with friendly colleagues and other introverts in the office.
Take the initiative, despite how much it goes against your instinct, and speak up with team members. If you don’t do this, you’ll be left out of a lot of essential things. Don’t wait for someone to update you on the reports. Go out and find out the updates and news.
Use Your Strength
Introverts are quiet, but they’re the best researchers, writers, idea generators, and they make for the best listeners. But unfortunately, four out of five introverts believe that extroverts are more likely to advance in their workplace than them.
Because of how low-key introverts are, they often undersell themselves or are afraid to advertise their accomplishments. They don’t use their voice to vocalize their idea, no matter how brilliant they are.
You don’t want to end up feeling ignored or misunderstood. This particular part of being an introvert, if it’s harming your career, can be worked on. No one size fits all strategy will work for all types of introversion, but with practice, courage, and time, introverts can show their strength and succeed even more than their peers.
Your social tank, that reservoir of energy that quickly drains after one too many social interactions. If that means you have to deal with turning down an invite to go out for drinks or food, then do it and don’t feel guilty about it. You need your strength. Do what you can, and you’ll feel much happier.
People know that introverts are an invaluable, irreplaceable part of the team. They’re the backbone of each company, and when you play up to your strengths instead of focusing your energy on something else, the results will be above and beyond expectations.
Use Social Media For Your Advantage
Nearly every introvert knows that speaking from a screen miraculously makes them braver. So why not use social media to set the stage to realize how awesome and underrated you are?
Social media is one of the greatest tools at introverts’ disposal. Sites like Facebook and Twitter, and Instagram allow you to connect with others in a way you can’t in person and at meetings and events.
Introduce yourself via social media, be friendly. And for every exchange, measure whether it’s better to do this in person or use social media. Emails and texts may be best for quick exchanges, but delivering difficult news has to be in person. You can’t always hide behind emails. It may feel safe and easy, but it can make you lose out in developing relationships.
Have a Game Plan Ready
As an introvert, it’s important to never just “wing” your job, especially when it comes to the “people” aspect of the job. Get on top of things by having a game plan. It can even be a daily game plan. Before meetings or conversations, prepare for them by anticipating potential questions and having an idea of your responses.
Just like we strategize and prepare for tasks and projects, connecting with people may need planning ahead.
That said, there’s a certain flexibility we need to adapt to make it into the corporate world. There will come a time when you need to push yourself slightly more persistently in front of others to be seen and have your skills recognized.
Don’t Be Afraid to Have a Little Humor
At number three, we advise you not to disregard humor entirely. As introverts, we’re often dubbed “not a team player.” And even if you didn’t want to be part of that conversation, it still hurts, especially when we’re surrounded by extroverts who just don’t get that us being different is not necessarily a bad thing.
Now, how can you battle this? For one thing, here’s this simple tip. Smile.
You can overcome people’s perception of thinking you’re standoffish or closed off or too serious by engaging in a smile, laughing every now and then, and having fun. You don’t need to laugh hysterically, but just be good-humored.
Practice will help you. Even Charles Darwin admitted that there’s a scene behind smiling. It just brings this positive effect on our minds when practiced regularly.
In a corporate environment, smiling can help introverts appear more approachable, so show off those pearly whites!
Recharge
Our number one most important piece of advice on making it in the corporate world as an introvert is that we have this important piece of advice. If you ever want to succeed in that harsh environment, then you must recharge.
You can take a break from the battle and have some downtime for yourself so that later, you can march back into that office and confidently showcase your ideas without hesitation.
If you’re not able to work in an office with a closed office or you don’t have the option to work from work, then there are several strategies you can implement in your day to allow yourself to breathe.
So let’s say you have had a day full of back to back meetings, and your social tank is totally depleted, then take periodic breaks. If cubicle chatter doesn’t allow you to relax, go to the bathroom or step outside for a moment—anything to recharge.
Take your lunch outside or get something from a nearby coffee shop. What’s important is getting away from that office environment to de-stress.
This is the absolute key to achieving success as an introvert in a corporation: take any time that you can get to recharge your batteries. It’s essential to your wellbeing.
If you don’t, you’ll notice a significant shift in your behavior towards both yourself and others. And it can also impact your work performance throughout the day.
Every introvert has done this at least once before: hanging out in the toilet cubicle for a few minutes for a breather. Or come in early to mentally prepare for the workday. Even a peaceful commute in the morning can do wonders for your mood.
Now more than ever, research has come to the aid of introverts as it’s been found that introverts make for great leaders and employees as they are more reliable and more creative than their extroverted counterparts.
Being an introvert doesn’t mean that the world is working against you. And yes, it’s challenging, but once you understand how to wield your introversion for your benefit, the more confident you will be moving forward with it and climbing the corporate ladder.
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