Why Quiet People Have the Loudest Minds... An Introvert's Secret to Success

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At the start of my career, I was a very quiet person.

I rarely raised my hand when prompted to answer a question in group settings.

I prefer to sit back and observed instead of openly sharing my thoughts and ideas.?

In the absence of my words, people automatically assumed that I did not know much about anything.?Not smart, for a lack of a better word.

Think about it.

When was the last time you met a person who was fairly quiet? What was your immediate thought of that person in terms of confidence or competence in their professional development?

Although introverts are generally quiet, we certainly bring value to the table. The irony of it is introverts tend to be people who have abundant insights and ideas because we think about things extensively from different views and perspectives.?However, the biggest challenge for us is that we are shy to voice out and always keep our thoughts to ourselves.?

Extroverts, on the other hand, are more upfront in asking and answering questions, unlike introverts who prefer a safer and quiet environment to feel comfortable sharing their thoughts.?

But fret not, if an introvert like me can move up to senior positions in my twenties at an international bank, then so can other introverts out there too.?

As long as you have the willingness to step out of your comfort zone as I did, you can get there too.

So, how can you shine as an introvert??

Recognising your introverted side is obviously the first and most basic foundation for you to get started.?

Remember that communication anxiety is solvable. Working on it is not about changing our introverted personality, but about overcoming the fear and improving our communication skills. It is time to stop standing by the sidelines and hiding behind your emails in hopes to grow in your career. In fact, continuing bad habits like these will only lead to miscommunication among your colleagues and superiors.

Focus on your communication skills to build rapport and engage with others at a level that feels comfortable for everyone. Since communication is a two-way street, developing your listening skills is also just as important. So, focus on that too.?

Miscommunication can also come from the other side of the spectrum where managers or bosses are unable to develop a healthy working relationship with their subordinates who display inherent introversion.?

Different people express themselves differently where some are able to speak their thoughts in a split second but some might need a little bit more time and space.

If you are a team leader or happen to work with a fellow introvert, it is important for you to give introverts the freedom to express themselves to understand their mindset instead of applying judgement to them solely based on whether they are outspoken or not. If that is the case, I would suggest spending time getting to know their personalities through one-on-one sessions, coaching or mentoring, whichever is most comfortable for the both of you.?

And that’s never stupid, no matter how you say it.

In fact, introverts are pretty darn smart.

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Remember...

Hope is not a strategy, and that confidence comes from competence.

Inspiring your career growth in 3-2-1!

—?Mei Phing

? Grow your career with clarity & confidence!

? Download my FREE “5-Day Career Growth Guide” today! ??

? https://www.meiphing.com ?