If you are like me, chances are the idea of networking in a room full of people or client presentations may sound exhausting to you. In consulting having a gregarious, extroverted personality is admired and seemingly preferred. After all, it’s about being trust and confidence with your clients, teams, and leaders. One of the biggest hurdles that I had to overcome was my introverted nature. While I enjoyed the challenges of consulting and helping clients solve problems, it was not automatically easy for me to put myself out there in social settings.
At first it was really uncomfortable and awkward. While at the event, I would find myself daydreaming about being with my computer in a locked room with a good cup of coffee and music. I realized that a lot of my life goals such as being a consultant required that I had to make changes in order to become successful. Over time, I began building a muscle that I am able to tap as I need to. Once I changed my mindset and step out of my comfort zone, life started to get so much easier.
One way that helped me overcome was learning how to flex my style during moments that matter and then making sure that I scheduled downtime to give myself space after a social situation. For example, I may not attend all of the team dinners and happy hours, I would attend one event and direct energy to that event with scheduled downtime immediately afterwards to re-center myself. I also created accountability partners; for example, when I started a project, I would pull the manager aside and be upfront about my goal of working on. I also recommend reading Susan Cain’s Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking, an amazing book for fellow introverts out there.
Would love to hear from other introverts suggestions or recommendations on how you have been able to successfully adjust in the workplace.
