Gwyneth Paltrow is one and so is Amy Schumer. Barack Obama, Mark Zuckerberg and Bill Gates are all part of the club, too. In fact, there’s no doubt the world is full of successful introverts.
But in a society that so often celebrates big and bold personalities, it has to be said that introverts sometimes suffer from an image problem.
Mindset coach and self-confessed introvert Jessica Williamson says it’s true that introverts run the risk of feeling misunderstood or overshadowed when compared to their extroverted counterparts.
“Being an introvert in our society can often be associated with having a lack of confidence, having less fun or being less successful,” she explains.
Jessica says it’s time to bust those myths.
“You can make an impact without having to be the loudest one in the room,” she explains.
Are you an introvert?
One key problem, surprisingly enough, is that many people simply misunderstand what an introvert is.
“In a technical sense, introverts are people who get their energy from being alone, rather than extroverts who get their energy from being around other people,” Jessica explains.
“Often introverts are seen as more quiet or shy people,” she adds. “This isn’t always the case, but they often get grouped into this as they tend to be more introspective and reflective. You can be both an introvert and a great leader, as well as confident, fun, successful and much more.”
Embrace your inner strength
The first step is to recognise that being an introvert is not a weakness that needs to be overcome, but a strength that can be played up to.
“Being an introvert comes with an array of really awesome personality traits,” Jessica says. “Harnessing these traits and transforming them into strengths that can work in your favour will give you a level up.”
Far from being bad at communication, introverts are often great listeners, which is something they can use to their advantage.
“If you are an introvert, your strengths may include conversing with people one to one and building deeper connections, using words or voice to communicate and bringing compassion to your relationships,” Jessica adds.
“Once you’ve accepted and reflected on your positive traits, you’ll be able to see them as a true advantage and utilise them in an authentic way to maximise your business.”
Find your voice
Because introverts often avoid the spotlight, they usually feel like they’re not seen or heard. Jessica says you can become adept at things like public speaking – all it takes is a little bit of work.
“The best thing you can do to aid this is to invest in your personal development and growth,” she explains.
“For example, I used to be quite uncomfortable in front of the camera, but through practice and taking a chance, I am now super-active on film in social media, webinars and even on stage. I now feel comfortable being on camera, but it does take practice. I didn’t wake up one day and become confident.”
Retreat and recharge
One thing all introverts have in common is they need time alone to recoup.
“We recharge our energy by being alone,” Jessica says. “This means we need to be careful about where we spend our energy.”
Again, it’s about owning your strengths and knowing which social situation approach suits you.
“Instead of attempting to be the centre of attention at parties or in large networking meetings, you may find that you are better off quietly chatting to one or two people to build deeper relationships,” Jessica says.
“You might also find you enjoy sitting back and observing everyone and choosing who you might want to connect with in the future.”
Finally, ensure you take time out to unwind.
“If you have a busy week with events, meetings, and group appointments, make sure you schedule in time to be alone,” Williamson adds.
“Simply working from home for half a day, taking a walk, or sitting quietly one evening can help you recharge and stay energised for your busy days ahead.”
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