5 Ways To Stand Out At Work As An Introvert

Get uncomfortable

The struggle of being an introvert trying to thrive in a corporate setting can be exhausting.

The minimal desire to step into the limelight, indulge in networking events, sell themselves, and voice their ideas, stump the upward mobility of many talented introverts.

Basically, introverts are overlooked and misunderstood.

Although there are many introverts happy to fly their flag unapologetically, over 40% would happily trade their introverted tendencies.

So here are 5 Ways To Stand Out In A Corporate Setting As An Introvert

Build relationships

Whether we like it not, in a professional setting, relationships act as currency for relevance and survival.

This means you gotta let people into your world. You don't have to let everyone in, though. Only a select few that you are comfortable with.

Whilst navigating the professional terrain, you quickly find that forming and managing relationships will not only get you far but will equally be fulfilling.

We need relationships.

Don't believe me, try living on a mountain with no one to talk to for a year and let me know how you turn out.

In fact, you don't have to go too far, just look at the pandemic's effects on relationships. Our lack of social interaction has become one of the primary reasons our emotional and mental health has taken a literal pounding over the last year. And not the good pounding.

Introverts haven't been exempt from the social isolation brought on by the pandemic. In fact, research by Frontiers Of Psychology shows that “introversion predicted more severe loneliness, anxiety, and depression experienced as a function of COVID-19 related circumstantial changes, but not cognitive impairments.”

So really, we ain’t doing so hot right now.

How to proceed

Although building and nurturing a relationship at the moment has been challenging, there are opportunities available.

If most of your work is on Zoom or Slack, show your quirky side. If you are one of the few that still work in an office, there is great potential here because you don't have to be friends with everyone at the office, but you can build relationships with the few people that you are comfortable with.

Play up to your strength

Be yourself.

Cliché, right? But this goes without saying.

The best thing you can do for yourself is being yourself. I am partial to the idea of fake it till you make it. However, there is a time and place for faking it. This is one case where you don't have to betray yourself to be valuable.

How to proceed

You don't have to indulge in small talk, but you can let your voice be heard when deep and meaningful conversations are had. Are you passionate about a new product/project or do you disagree with something and have facts to back it up? Then speak up.

This is your unique advantage and one that should be celebrated.

By being yourself and being unapologetic, you find your tribe, the people that understand you. And if nurtured properly, a long-term relationship can be fostered.

Be a valuable asset

Dear introverts, you don't have to be loudest in the room, but you for damn sure have to make them notice you. How do you do that in a corporate setting?

Your work ethic, your ability to create outstanding work, besides going above and beyond what is expected of you will put you firmly ahead of the game.

How to proceed

Be like Steve Jobs. Show your boss or coworker what they didn't think they need. Figure out what they are going to want before they do it and give it to them.

Simple example. If you have been tasked with updating the company blog, write a great article, and for good measure, why not throw in an infographic for visual readers? You weren't asked to do that, but by going the extra mile and creating an infographic, you bring another level of value to the mix. Keep improving. Track the blog traffic, reply to comments, and so on.

Not only does this show that you are an active listener, it displays your creativity and your self-motivating capability. The more value you provide, the more you are recognized.

Besides, the added advantage to you is;

• You have a trackable portfolio of work you have done
• You expand your skill-set by undertaking additional tasks

This will especially come in handy when you muster the confidence to go for that promotion.

Ask intelligent questions

Introverts are known for their active listening skills. This great. Take it up a notch and ask intelligible questions.

Asking questions can be nerve-wracking because we get too into our heads thinking we are asking silly questions. But ask. If you are worried you will ask ‘silly’ questions, then prepare.

How to proceed

Write your questions down and for good measure, memorize them a bit.

Too much? Hear me out.

Writing questions down is intentionality in action.

Questions are a gateway to starting a conversation. Now unlike extroverts that can start a conversation on the fly, introverts need a little nudge.

These questions don't have to be intrusive because no one wants to feel like they are being interrogated. The best kinds are open-ended questions.

Having a list of open-ended questions to ask, take the edge off a little. But it is also strategic because as the speaker responds to your questions, you can use your active listening skills to gather relevant information that will be useful to you.

You don't have to bog them down with questions to the point they get exhausted. No. You can pick something of mutual interest and let the conversation flow organically. Good conversation is often remembered.

This is also applicable as we conduct interviews and navigate networking in the virtual world. First,

• Research the companies of interest
• Seek out the latest news and trends
• Find professional and relevant information on speakers
• Ask intelligent questions derived from the research you have conducted
• If the opportunity arises to introduce yourself, showcase your capabilities about your organization of interest. Make it short, interesting, and sweet like an elevator pitch

Get uncomfortable

Dear introverts, let's get uncomfortable.

It is nice to sit alone and get on with the work you know you are good at. However, sometimes you will have to do something uncomfortable like public speaking for example.

Introverts tend to avoid being in the ‘limelight’ which means oftentimes the value you offer is not recognized. This is a disservice to you and your capabilities.

How to proceed

Volunteer for public speaking or lead a presentation at your workplace.

Now I know the thought of doing something like this is as appealing as a bag of sand, but getting out of your comfort zone is rewarding and makes your voice be heard.

If you are not confident enough, that's okay. Confidence is a muscle that can be worked on. Reach out to a colleague that you trust and ask for pointers on your presentation skills. Ask for help. More often than not, most co-workers are on hand to be a sounding board, when you are not confident in your abilities.

The additional benefit is that in reaching out and asking for help, you, dear introvert will quash the grand illusion that you are unrelatable.

So get uncomfortable.

Conclusion

In a world that favors those with loud personalities, the voice of an introvert is often drowned and overlooked. You will need to use your arsenal and stand out. Because no one will do it for you. Why? doing this will demonstrate your skill, communicate your value, and ultimately showcase your relatability.

As introverts, you don’t have to pretend to be someone else to thrive in your professional setting because there is nothing wrong with you being an introvert. However, we can use our strengths to our advantage. We can do this by;

• Building relationships
• Play up to your strength
• Being a valuable asset
• Asking intelligent questions
• Get uncomfortable

So, really introverts, the only thing left to do is unite and take over the world!