I would guess that millions of dollars have been spent this past year on time management books and training programs. We all seem to want to know the answer to managing the chaos around us.
“Much of my work as a virtual assistant involves social media these
days. Initially, this was much easier for me to handle as an
(extreme) introvert. Strangely enough, I find that as friend counts
climb and the volume of online communication grows, I react with the
same sense of overwhelm, stress and exhaustion as I do to live or
phone communications. Have you heard this from others?”, she asks.
If you’re intimidated at the prospect of a networking encounter, focus your attention on what’s important to the person you’re meeting. Your ability to listen and tune in to the other person will make a positive impression – and if the other person is an extrovert, you’ll be creating an opportunity for the extrovert to do what extroverts enjoy most – to talk!
Chill out. In meetings, conversations, and even casual chats, slow down and give your introverts time to reflect and respond. Put space between your questions—counting “1…2…3” in your head if you have to—and avoid what most introverts perceive as a cross-examination.
When do you come up with your most creative ideas? If you are like me, it is NOT when you are sitting in meetings or parked on conference calls. .” All this forced collaboration gives us little time to pause and reflect. More likely, you are driving in the car, running on the treadmill, spacing out in the shower or even awake in the middle of the night. Introverted leaders embrace solitude and are energized by spending time alone.
I had the pleasure of meeting Wendy Gelberg, career coach and author of The Successful Introvert: How to Enhance Your Job Search and Advance Your Career, on my recent trip to Cambridge, MA. Wendy offered some tips for introverts that I know you will find useful.
Fast forward a bit. I am sitting with Sam, a new executive coaching client. A bright, ivy league introverted guy who is managing people for the first time. He shares some feedback about being seen as too intense and intimidating.
I asked him to breathe. Sam squirmed in his chair but consciously took in air and let it out. I asked him to do it more slowly, more deliberately. We even breathed a few breaths at the same time. I encouraged Sam to check in with himself. “How do you feel?”, I asked. “Calmer,” he replied.
At a recent book signing, Sheri, an introverted training manager, told me she holds onto an image from nature to comfort her when she feels overpowered by extroverted team members. As…
I love the universality of the introverted leadership theme. Language is no barrier when we strive to deepen our understanding of temperaments.
Subscribers will receive updates about Jennifer's program offerings and this practical guide to record your learnings for you and your team.
