The Introvert's Guide to Success

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THE INTROVERT’S GUIDE ���TO ���SUCCESS���

One of the leading experts on introverts, Jennifer Kahnweiler is the author of The Introverted Leader:

Building on Your Quiet Strength and Quiet Influence: The Introvert’s Guide to Making a Difference. Her

latest book, The Genius of Opposites: How Introverts and Extroverts create Extraordinary Results Together,

will be out in summer 2015. She is also a global speaker and a faculty member of the American

Management Association.

MEET JENNIFER KAHNWEILER!

Jennifer answered questions from members of Connect:

Professional Women’s Network about how introverts can stand out at work. Here’s some of her

most popular advice.

At my job, there’s a lot of pressure to work together on teams, face to face. How can I handle this as an introvert? Help your colleagues understand that for introverts, much of the important work gets done in solitude. Suggest that not all feedback be made in a group setting. Tell folks you need time to think, and then reconvene at a set time. The talkers and extroverts will adapt and, in time, realize they’re getting better feedback from you when you can reflect.

How can I feel more confident about speaking up in meetings? Introverts tend to live in their heads, but that can take you away from the moment—which won’t serve you in a meeting. Instead, make an effort to be present. Preparing for the meeting is key, as well. Adopt the “meeting before the meeting” tactic, where you can float your ideas to a few colleagues and get buy-in before launching them to a roomful of people.

How can a company accommodate and encourage its introverts? Keep in mind that introverts thrive when they have their own space and time to think. If your offices are in an open-space environment, offer private spaces for people to escape to when they need to work alone. If possible, let people work from home more. Don’t overwhelm them with meetings, and when you do meet, don’t dismiss them because they think before they speak.

WHY INTROVERTS MAKE GREAT LEADERS

•  They think before they speak. •  They seek depth over breadth. •  They exude calm. •  They can express themselves in writing. •  They embrace solitude, which fuels their

creativity.

How can an introvert feel more comfortable networking? PREPARE is the key word here. Have questions and a talking agenda ready before you walk into the room. They can be as simple as “What have you been up to?” or “What are you interested in learning about?” as long as they get the conversation going. With preparation comes confidence.

Telecommuting is a good fit for me as an introvert, but I often feel out of the loop. How can I make sure I’m included? You have to be more proactive than in-office workers about networking activities and staying in the informal loop of conversation. You can do that from home, but it’s also important to schedule face-to-face time and phone conversations. Make sure you check in with people regularly and spend some time finding out about them.

I’m often recognized for being a great listener, but I’m not seen as a decision-maker. How can I show that I’m capable of both? Balance your listening with engaging in the conversation. Put your ideas out there one-on-one first so you can get comfortable with your point of view on an issue. Also, try the first-five-minute rule: Get your voice in the room in the beginning of a meeting, and it will be easier to do later on. You’ll be putting your stake in the ground and will be seen as a team player.

INTROVERT’S GUIDE TO SUCCESS:���FOLLOW THE 4 Ps:

•  PREPARE for the people part as much as for the task itself.

•  Have PRESENCE and stay engaged without distraction.

•  PUSH yourself and help your team do the same.

•  PRACTICE continually and refine your leadership skills.

Corporate culture can be aggressive, fast-paced, and relentlessly social—not exactly ideal for an introvert. Any advice on how to survive? Strive to make self-care a priority. One woman I coached often traveled for work and was expected to join the group for dinner and drinks every night. She told her team that in order for her to be at her best the next day, she needed to regroup. Interestingly, others in the group felt permission to speak up after she did.

I’ve been asked to write my own performance review, but I feel awkward about tooting my own horn. Any ideas? Try asking peers you respect to give you their perception of your strengths. Also, make an effort to stamp out any negative self-talk and replace it with positive statements to get yourself in the right mindset to write the review.

As an extrovert, how can I get the most out of phone conversations with introverts? Most introverts don’t love talking on the phone. The key is to make sure you’re not catching them off guard. If you let them know when you’ll be calling and what you want to talk about, it will give them a chance to prepare and be focused on the conversation.

INTROVERT’S GUIDE TO SUCCESS: ADVOCATE FOR YOURSELF

•  Communicate regularly with your manager, both face-to-face and via email.

•  Develop connections with influential people in your organization so they can “brag on you.”

•  Raise your profile by leading discussions and connecting with members in online groups like Connect: Professional Women’s Network.

Any tips on how introverts can embrace public speaking? PREPARE. Go to Toastmasters or a public-speaking class, rehearse it aloud, and practice so many times that if you were to be woken up in the middle of the night you could sit up and start your talk. Memorize just the beginning and the end, but use talking points for the rest to help it feel more natural.

How can I become more comfortable talking to the “higher ups” in my job? Even if you’re not feeling confident, you can convey confidence. Take what I call a “power pause” before you go into these situations. Prepare answers to the questions you think they’ll ask, and focus on your voice and your body language. Warm up your voice by yawning and breathing deeply—and remember to have good posture!

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JOIN THE CONVERSATION! LinkedIn and Citi’s Connect: Professional Women’s Network is an online community with more than 450,000 members that helps women achieve the careers they want and discuss issues relevant to their success. Visit linkedin.com/womenconnect for more information and to join the group for free! For more great insights on introverts at work, check out Jennifer Kahnweiler’s discussion in Connect. PHOTO CREDITS: 1: Coneyl Jay/Getty Images

CONNECT: PROFESSIONAL WOMEN’S NETWORK ©2014 LinkedIn Corporation. All Rights Reserved. 19