How introverts can thrive at work

By Julailah Wahid Introverts – they prefer to avoid the limelight, tend to listen more than they speak, feel somewhat desolate in large groups, and require ample personal time to restore their energy. In a fast-paced world where extroverted skills such as socialising and assertiveness are overvalued, introverts can often be misunderstood, especially around the workplace.

Introverts vs. Extroverts Extroverts are 'sunflowers' and stand out in the crowd with their outspoken demeanour, whereas introverts are 'wallflowers', opting to blend into the background as they observe their surroundings. While extroverts have no qualms socialising and offering their opinions freely at business functions, introverts might find such activities draining, and need time alone to recharge thereafter. On the contrary, extroverts get their energy from being around people and believe that "the more, the merrier". Key traits of introverts and extroverts: Introverts • Reenergise by spending time alone (E.g. through reading, writing, painting) • Think before they speak and offer thoughtful, reasoned comments • Feel more comfortable expressing themselves through writing • Favour one-on-one interaction Extroverts • Thrive on human interaction • (Over)zealous and are not afraid to speak up • Prefer job scope that has breadth rather than depth (versatility) • Fluid amongst crowds Misconceptions about Introverts Due to their inward nature, introverts are often saddled with adjectives such as "antisocial", "passive" and "aloof". Since they aren't always shooting ideas during meetings or fighting over others in order to be heard, colleagues might think of them as inattentive or unenthusiastic. But this is far from the truth. Introverts don't always know what they think immediately, so they often need time to draw a conclusion. Contrary to popular belief, introverts are not socially inept – they just want to engage in meaningful conversations on topics that resonate deeply with them, and require a little time before stating their views. They spend a lot of time reflecting on ideas and strategies and nurturing insights, which explains why they're also great listeners. If you're an introvert, here's how you can play to your strong suits to get ahead at the workplace: Build strong working relationships Large crowds at business events can be tiresome and intimidating, so utilise your sense of depth to build a strong network through one-on-one interactions. To make networking easier, you can have conversations with one person at a time rather than trying to chat up a group of people. Breaking down the room into manageable chunks will help you focus on making meaningful connections and building strong rapport with individuals. At work, take time to catch up with colleagues whom you work with most often, and hold regular small group meetings to get to know your extended teams better. This also creates opportunities to embrace new ideas and enhance team dynamics and communication. Let your work speak for itself "The people who have the most impact aren't the ones who are promoting themselves. They're the ones that other people are promoting," writes Nancy Ancowitz, author of Self-Promotion for Introverts: The Quiet Guide to Getting Ahead. Introverts dislike hogging the spotlight but when your work is of quality, people in the workplace will take notice, even if you are on the quieter side. That being said, taking credit for your work every once in a while (by mentioning your individual contribution instead of constantly dispersing the credit to "the team") will show your boss what you're capable of. Be prepared Introverts may feel extremely pressured when being put on the spot – a simple question like "What do you think?" can cause them to clam up at a meeting. A way to overcome this is to do sufficient research, and arm yourself with relevant information and ideas before entering a meeting. Verbalise your thoughts Introverts tend to keep most of their thoughts to themselves while working out ideas. They often stay silent until they're sure of what to say, which might make them look disinterested in the opinions or suggestions of others. To show that you are actually listening to your colleague's idea, try conveying your thought process. You can verbalise rough pointers and considerations, or simply mention that you need time to think about it. For instance, you could say, "Joanne, this is a swell idea, but I'm not sure what to suggest just yet. Let me give it some more thought, and I'll get back to you." Get some 'Me' time Constant meetings and conversations can leave introverts feeling stressed or overwhelmed. The same conversation that energises the extravert also drains the introvert. To recharge and clear your mind, take frequent solo breaks throughout the day by indulging in a solitary lunch or taking a walk around the office vicinity. How else can introverts succeed at the workplace? Share with us in the comment box below! The JobsCentral Group, a CareerBuilder company, is the owner of JobsCentral.com.sg, one of Singapore's largest job and learning portals. Get a free career personality test and more career- and education-related articles at JobsCentral and JobsCentral Community. Alternatively, Like us on Facebook or Follow us on Twitter for more career-centric content!