Introduction Business networking can be a nerve-wracking and daunting challenge for introverts. It’s important to take the time you need to prepare before heading out into the networking world, but once you are ready it will be worth your while. In this blog post, we’ll discuss 9 networking tips for introverts in order to succeed at work and achieve their career goals! Take networking online Networking as a concept is not new. It’s been around for centuries and it has always played an important role in the business world. But what isn’t happening so often these days is face-to-face networking ..read more

Signs you have an introverted personality I first heard the term ‘Introvert’ as part of a team building exercise at work. I was an executive at the London Stock Exchange, and we were taking the Myers-Brigg Type Indicator test.   I thought it was a bit of a novelty and could not wait to see my results.  “You are an INTJ” declared the coach, “one of the rarest personality types, and one of the most complex”.     My ears perked up – rare and complex sounded like an interesting mix that my ego rather enjoyed. As I dug deeper into my results it started to become very clear ..read more

Newsflash: You don’t need to hog the limelight or be a charismatic social butterfly to garner massive career success as an introvert. Classic introvert characteristics wield their own special powers and no single personality type attracts success. As a former physicist, I was always in awe of Albert Einstein. Einstein was a typical introvert.    His intelligence and sheer brilliance was evident; however, it was his incredible imagination and curiosity that led to his greatest breakthroughs.   As an introvert, it was very natural for him to ‘disappear’ into his own hea ..read more

Daily meetings and brainstorming sessions are the norm in most workplaces today… and they’re usually the most dreaded part of the day for the quiet, office introvert. With loud extroverts dominating conversations it’s all too easy for introverts to fade into the background and go unnoticed in important meetings. When there’s no room to get a word in, the obvious choice is to just sit back and listen. But holding back in meetings can have a detrimental effect on your career. Speaking up and getting your ideas heard is necessary if you want to get ahead. But here’s the thing, you actually only ..read more

Throughout most of my corporate life I was blessed with my own office space. It came with a door I could easily close to create privacy and quiet space. Highly important for an introvert like myself. It allowed me to think clearly.    My secretary always answered my phone so I wasn’t constantly disturbed during work time. And everyone knew that if the office door was closed I did not want to be disturbed. I cannot express in words how important that ‘space’ was to me.  Having said that, I would say that on average my door was open 90% of the time. But just knowing that it ..read more

Here’s a truth bomb for you. Introverts make for powerful and influential leaders – because of – not in spite of – their introversion. What?! You read that right. Introverts make powerful, and some would argue (namely me) better leaders than their extroverted counterparts. Think influential folks like Bill Gates, Albert Einstein, Eleanor Roosevelt, JK Rowling, and Barack Obama just to name a few… So how do you become a powerful leader as an introvert? I’m glad you asked. Read on to discover 7 superpowers of highly effective leaders. You probably have all of these traits but perhaps aren’t uti ..read more

Executive presence. What is it? Is it striking power poses around the office? Peacocking around your subordinates? Being the loudest voice in the room? No, no, and no. Executive presence is a skill that, once developed, has the potential to significantly impact your career. If you’re an introvert with career ambition then perhaps you’ve started getting nudges around the office that you need to speak up more in meetings…raise your hand more…basically be more of an extrovert. These comments are usually laced with good intentions by folks who actually recognize your worth around the office…but t ..read more

Despite being described as “quiet” or “shy” most of my life, I still found myself in leadership positions.   The captain of sports teams   An officer in the British Army.   Partner of a Global Consulting business.   CEO of a technology company.   Across the board, I realized it wasn’t about being the loudest person in the room (I sure as heck wasn’t), but the most observant.    In a world which is both complex and rapidly changing, we need calm leaders who have the capacity for deep focus and listening. This is where introverts shine.    And yet, i ..read more

Ever felt the need to become someone you’re not?   I remember the day I found out I was an introvert. I was in a team building exercise at the London Stock Exchange. We were doing the Myers-Brigg Type Indicator Test, and discovering I was an introvert felt like I had come second in a two horse race.  My extroverted colleagues seemed to think they had won the lottery. In a way, I kinda felt like they had.  But I decided I wasn’t going to let myself feel intimidated by my distinct lack of extrovert qualities.  Sure, it was tempting to try and mimic the extroverts… afterall ..read more

Picture this. You’re sitting at your desk quietly working away, when you hear two colleagues talking nearby. Your ears perk up. They’re discussing Rodney, head of Marketing, who recently handed in his notice. He’s moving on to another company and his position will soon be available. Your colleagues speculate on who might move into Rodney’s role. Clara is the obvious choice, she’s bubbly, vivacious and one of the CEO’s favourite employees. Secretly, you think your work is stronger than Clara’s…but you’ve received no recognition from anyone in upper management. Sure, they look to you as a solid ..read more