Hi dear friends!
Welcome to my blog!
I came across a lot of questions online about how being an introvert interferes with the ability to adapt to normal workplace and social interaction, and how to handle this aspect. Therefore, I thought of writing an article to share some ideas and tips that could benefit those of you who need it.
As you would all agree, there are different types of personality styles. Similarly there are 3 main ways some of us may relate to people around us. Some are quiet and introspective these are Introverts, some display both behaviours these are Ambiverts and some love to be surrounded by people these are Extroverts.
It was, around 1907, in the personality theory of Carl Jung that the terms introversion and extroversion were coined. He observed that a group of people were energized when they were around people, these he termed as extroverts. Another group felt drained when they were around people, and were termed introverts. Typecasting people as introverts or extroverts is very common, these days.
There is a third type also which is lesser known and they are Ambiverts, these people have both traits.
For some reason, introverts are made to feel like misfits in society. Their quietness is misunderstood to be conceit. They are judged by their more outgoing peers as stuck up or boring. However these assumptions are far from the truth. Introverts are bubbly, exciting and lively with their near and dear ones. They prefer to express their emotions to a select special few. Introverts prefer to be alone and feel energized by reading a book or listening to some soothing music.
Most people are neither introverts nor extroverts they are somewhere in the middle and are called Ambiverts. These people can adapt to either situation, for eg: if a presentation needs to be made they will be able to make a reasonably good presentation. After that, they must be left alone to gather their energy before moving on to another socially demanding activity.
Introverts become more conscious of their inability to spontaneously interact, and intermingle with people. That pushes them further into their shell. They are not longing for any company, they prefer not to have people around them. People tire them out.
1. Contrary to their introverted nature, they are the ones who are on stage telling people how to do things and solve problems.
According to Devora Zack’s book, Networking for People Who Hate Networking, the main general characteristics of introverts and extroverts can be summarized in three words says LYDIA HOFFSTAETTER.
Welcome to my blog!
I came across a lot of questions online about how being an introvert interferes with the ability to adapt to normal workplace and social interaction, and how to handle this aspect. Therefore, I thought of writing an article to share some ideas and tips that could benefit those of you who need it.
So, with that let us begin.....
As you would all agree, there are different types of personality styles. Similarly there are 3 main ways some of us may relate to people around us. Some are quiet and introspective these are Introverts, some display both behaviours these are Ambiverts and some love to be surrounded by people these are Extroverts.
It was, around 1907, in the personality theory of Carl Jung that the terms introversion and extroversion were coined. He observed that a group of people were energized when they were around people, these he termed as extroverts. Another group felt drained when they were around people, and were termed introverts. Typecasting people as introverts or extroverts is very common, these days.
There is a third type also which is lesser known and they are Ambiverts, these people have both traits.
For some reason, introverts are made to feel like misfits in society. Their quietness is misunderstood to be conceit. They are judged by their more outgoing peers as stuck up or boring. However these assumptions are far from the truth. Introverts are bubbly, exciting and lively with their near and dear ones. They prefer to express their emotions to a select special few. Introverts prefer to be alone and feel energized by reading a book or listening to some soothing music.
An Introvert in social and work communication
Most people are neither introverts nor extroverts they are somewhere in the middle and are called Ambiverts. These people can adapt to either situation, for eg: if a presentation needs to be made they will be able to make a reasonably good presentation. After that, they must be left alone to gather their energy before moving on to another socially demanding activity.
Introverts become more conscious of their inability to spontaneously interact, and intermingle with people. That pushes them further into their shell. They are not longing for any company, they prefer not to have people around them. People tire them out.
A few prominent traits of introverts:
2. Most introverts are gifted in arts, they are successful singers, actors, artists, creators of new things and beautifying the world.
3. They are very good listeners, and speak only after they have heard everyone, and understood the other side of the story, and after weighing the pros and cons.
According to Devora Zack’s book, Networking for People Who Hate Networking, the main general characteristics of introverts and extroverts can be summarized in three words says LYDIA HOFFSTAETTER.
Introverts: Extroverts:
Reflective Verbal
Focused Expansive
Self-reliant Social
The specific challenges and struggles faced by you, dear introverts, at work place are unique to you
Here are 7 most common challenges you may or might have faced:
1. You are not comfortable attending meetings
2. You prefer to remain absent from work when there is a social or cultural program at work where you may have to participate.
3. Even if someone comes and speaks to you, your answers are short and to the point, this creates misunderstandings and can cause problems between you and your boss and colleagues.
4. You prefer to eat alone and have just one or two people you talk to.
5.You are not seen as manager or leader material because you are mostly soft spoken and lead by helping your juniors rather than yelling and shouting and making a big show.
Can your situation be made more comfortable?
6. You are sensitive and emotional, but do not display your vulnerability to others, lest they add insult to injury.
7. You are slow to speak because you think before you say anything. You generally don’t say anything for “fun”, so you seem too serious and disinterested.Can your situation be made more comfortable?
Yes it can…
Some immediate steps to blend in a little more with your external environment, and make your professional an social life less stressful and easier.
2. Keep a few standard statements ready, in case you are taken by surprise, for eg: "Thanks so much....", "Excuse me...", " I really appreciate...., "Oh I'm sorry to hear..." etc..
3. Practice smiling more and keep your voice audible and stable.
4. If you are unable to respond at that moment don't worry go to the person concerned later when you have your thoughts collected and express your opinion.
5. Write out your feelings in meaningful sentences and practice saying them out aloud, hear yourself. Do this for all your most prominent feelings, emotions and thoughts that you find difficult to explain. Do this till you feel comfortable and at ease while expressing yourself.
6. Attend a communication skills workshop, and develop a working self, which you take with you when you go out of your home. In fact, most people have those 2 identities, personal and professional. Its like dressing up for work, you must not just wear your formal attire, but also wear your formal self.
Some immediate steps to blend in a little more with your external environment, and make your professional an social life less stressful and easier.
12 tips to deal with work and social life:
1. Breathe deeply (take 5 deep breaths) and focus on your breathing it will calm you.
2. Keep a few standard statements ready, in case you are taken by surprise, for eg: "Thanks so much....", "Excuse me...", " I really appreciate...., "Oh I'm sorry to hear..." etc..
3. Practice smiling more and keep your voice audible and stable.
4. If you are unable to respond at that moment don't worry go to the person concerned later when you have your thoughts collected and express your opinion.
5. Write out your feelings in meaningful sentences and practice saying them out aloud, hear yourself. Do this for all your most prominent feelings, emotions and thoughts that you find difficult to explain. Do this till you feel comfortable and at ease while expressing yourself.
6. Attend a communication skills workshop, and develop a working self, which you take with you when you go out of your home. In fact, most people have those 2 identities, personal and professional. Its like dressing up for work, you must not just wear your formal attire, but also wear your formal self.
7. Interact with just one new person every week. Once you are fairly comfortable with that person find the next new person to speak to. Slowly and steadily you will create a bigger circle of people you are comfortable with.
8. Plan and practice for a meeting, if you have something to say please say it, it is most probably a great idea, that no one else thought of because they were all busy speaking. If your idea is not accepted don’t feel too bad, start thinking of a new one. You can come up with many.
9. Study a little about various personality styles and you will know that there are different types of people. Variety is the spice of life.
10. Remember that, so called outgoing or bold people are not always comfortable either. They too have their moments of doubt and hesitation, but they express it to people around them and accept the response, quite sportively. Be slightly detached.
11. Never take your gifts for granted, you are blessed with the ability of introspection, focus and self reliance. These are wonderful gifts, you are independent and contented, you love your own company.
12. Try to look at interacting with others as a basic human need, then you wont feel pressured.
You are not alone, check out these 23-amazingly-successful-introverts-throughout-history and 30 famous-introverts-introverted actors and actresses and their traits, to name a few well known introverts, Mahatma Gandhi, Bill Gates, Mark Zuckerberg, Hillary Clinton, Barrack Obama.
I do hope enjoyed reading this article and found the information useful.
You are not alone, check out these 23-amazingly-successful-introverts-throughout-history and 30 famous-introverts-introverted actors and actresses and their traits, to name a few well known introverts, Mahatma Gandhi, Bill Gates, Mark Zuckerberg, Hillary Clinton, Barrack Obama.
I do hope enjoyed reading this article and found the information useful.
Introverts comprise of 30 percent of the population. This article is for you dear introverts and your introverted loved ones!! Read and enjoy..
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