Introverts, Embrace Your Strengths and Network Like a Pro

Let’s just admit it:  The world is skewed toward extroverts and it adds an extra challenge for introverts.  Being an extrovert married to an introvert, I’ve had my eyes opened to how this affects people.  (For the record, introversion is a preference for the inner world and thoughts, which is where introverts get their energy and where they process things. It’s often used interchangeably with shyness but the two are not the same.) The world is, however, finally starting to see that introversion has its benefits, as evidenced in the recent popularity of Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World that Can’t Stop Talking.

Networking and connecting with others in social or quasi-social settings is an extroverted activity and it’s critical in many, if not most, fields.  It can be exhausting, even prohibitively so, for introverts.  There are some useful strategies, however, that will help introverts manage these events and realize their benefits.  They include:

1.     Appreciate your introversion.  It’s not a weakness.  It’s a preference.  Many times, it is even a strength as it may make you more predisposed to listening and observing things that the more talkative might miss.  At events where you need to connect, seek out one conversation at a time and ask questions.  This will help you budget your energy reserves and connect with others because it displays your interest in the other person.

2.     Reach out first and try pre-introductions before events.  If it’s possible, use social media to connect with a few people who might be at an event to ease the way.  Let them know that you are looking forward to meeting them, which will make it easier when you actually do.  If that’s not possible, practice being the first to offer a friendly contact when you meet someone in person – those old standbys:  a smile, your name, and a nice handshake – because everyone responds well to this.  Then you can use your introvert strengths (see #1 above) to wow them. 

3.    Recharge your batteries.  An introvert friend once told me at a conference that she was going up to her hotel room for an hour because she was “extroverted out.”  This was a great idea because it gave her quiet time to power up internally and prepare herself for more  events to come later that day.  Use the time you need to recharge after these types of events and you will feel better about them.

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