How to identify your strengths as an introvert

This week, I was asked how an introvert can identify their strengths.

Focusing on your strengths, rather than what you perceive to be your weaknesses, is a recognised fast track to success - but what if you have no clue what they are?

This can be especially true for those looking for their first job, or anyone moving to a new job, or environment.

You can't leverage your strengths if you're unaware of them.

And, for introverts, it's especially important to know your strengths, and be able to flex them, due to the societal bias in favour of extroversion; it's not a level playing field out there.

Knowing your strengths means you can not only feel more confident in yourself but also use this knowledge to your advantage in job interviews, performance reviews and conversations with your manager.

Common introvert strengths

We'll start by looking at some of the main strengths introverts typically share, before exploring techniques to uncover your own, unique, strengths (because introverts are not a monolith).

Here are the top ten typically introverted strengths:

1. Listening
2. Creativity
3. Leadership
4. Self-reflection
5. Independence
6. Problem-solving
7. Observation skills
8. Time management
9. Relationship-building
10. Written communication

You can find articles giving more information on each of these here and here and find out more about introverted leaders here and here.

How to identify your own, unique, strengths

Discovering your strengths involves self-awareness, introspection and exploration.

Here's a step-by-step guide to help you identify your strengths:

1. Self-Reflection:Take time to think about your experiences, both personal and professional. Consider moments when you felt accomplished, engaged, or genuinely enjoyed yourself. Reflect on activities that come naturally to you or make you lose track of time.
2. Seek Feedback:Ask friends, family, colleagues, and/or mentors for their input on your strengths. They may see qualities in you that you might overlook. DM me for some specific questions you can ask them.Consider using tools like StrengthsFinder, Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI), or Insights Discovery profiling to gain appreciation of your personality and strengths. Some organisations also have 360 feedback processes as part of performance reviews.
3. Keep a Strengths Journal:Document your achievements, successes, feedback and moments when you felt particularly capable or proud. Keep updating this document regularly and you should start seeing some patterns emerge.
4. Skill Assessment:Assess your skills and competencies in various areas, such as communication, problem-solving, leadership, and technical expertise. Identify the areas where you excel and enjoy working.
5. Values and Passions:Reflect on your values, interests, and passions. What issues or activities are you most passionate about? Aligning your strengths with your values can be a superpower!
6. Analyse Patterns:Look for patterns in your reflections and assessments. Are there recurring themes, skills, or qualities that stand out? Consider how these strengths might apply to different areas of your life.
7. Experiment:Try new activities, projects, or hobbies to see if you enjoy them and excel in them. This experimentation can reveal hidden strengths and passions. Solo travel uncovered how organised, and good at problem-solving, I am, for example.
8. Set Goals:Set specific goals that leverage your strengths. This can help you gain confidence and experience in using them.
9. Feedback Loop:Continually seek feedback as you apply your strengths in different areas. Adjust your understanding of your strengths based on real-world experiences.
10. Personal Development:Working with a coach, mentor or even therapist can also help you uncover your strengths and understand how to leverage them. DM me if you'd like to explore how I could help you with some coaching specifically designed for introverts.

Remember that your strengths can evolve over time, and it's essential to revisit this process periodically to accurately measure in which areas you excel.

Society, and especially workplaces, often demonises introverts but the reality is introverts may always not be as visible but we're often making the bigger impact.

Some of the most famous, and successful, people on the planet are introverts.

And I promise you that you have many valuable skills to offer the world; you just need to uncover them ??

Please feel free to share this newsletter with anyone it may help ??

Much love,

Sam

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P.S.?Ways I can help you:

1. Download my resources specially designed to help introverts overcome their biggest struggles?here. Some of them are FREE - and include networking!
2. Book time with me (limited offer)?here.
3. Sign up for my email newsletter for monthly inspiration and quarterly freebies?here.
4. Connect with me on LinkedIn?here?or via my website?here.
5. Get inspiration on how to escape the 9-5 and build passive income?here.

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About Me

I'm Sam ? and I'm on a mission to change the workplace bias towards extroversion, to achieve greater, intersectional, inclusivity for introverts.

As well as help high achieving introverts to thrive without changing who they are.

I offer consulting, training and coaching for DEI professionals, leaders/ managers and those involved in hiring.

I am also a keynote speaker.

Introverts:

I can help you achieve your professional goals, feel confident in your introversion and be able to step into your power OR I can help you escape the 9-5 and achieve optimal wellbeing through financial freedom.

DM me for more information!