Tips for Surviving in the Corporate World as an Introvert
I was 23 working as a Process Analyst at an Insurance Company and I had just been asked to moderate a brainstorming session with a group of ten senior leaders to discuss the ideal underwriting process for property insurance. I never realized what I was getting into until I was there. I was never a fan of brainstorming sessions, but if you think getting your ideas through at a brainstorming session is hard, moderating, trying to listen to everybody and guide the conversation is 10 times harder.
After this incident, I was ready to switch careers. What was I doing working in business as an introvert? I should have been a software engineer or a writer. But then I read a book that quite literally changed my life and my perspective on my introverted personality.
I used to see being an introvert as a flaw — why couldn’t I excel at socializing or public speaking or being the most participative person at a meeting? The book Quiet by Susan Cain provides a fresh and scientific perspective on introverts. Plus, it offers great advice on how to best use our strengths and watch out for our weaknesses. Needless to say, I didn’t quit my job or changed my profession. I actually went to Business School and while I have changed domains and industries, I’m still to this day working in the corporate world.
I think the most important thing I learned from the book Quiet is that introverts are simply designed differently — our nervous systems are more reactive to external stimuli, so we can more easily feel overwhelmed by constant social interaction. So, for the fellow introverted community, I want to share some of the tips that have helped me survive and thrive in the corporate world for almost 10 years.
Make new connections on a 1:1 basis: We introverts are usually great at conversation but in a small group setting. So, go ahead and start scheduling some coffee chats with people you are interested in connecting with. It doesn’t have to be too formal. Even getting coffee or lunch with a coworker can help you strengthen the connections naturally.
Be strategic about networking events: Of course I hate networking events. But we cannot deny that networking is crucial to advance your career in the corporate world or in any domain actually. Having worked in the corporate world both in Peru and now in the US, I can tell that networking is equally important in both countries. But the difference lies in the ways. One thing that I realized when I moved to the US to get my MBA is that people here are much more intentional about networking while in South America it happens more organically (but that’s a topic for another day). I’ve come to realize that going to networking events is still important if we don’t enjoy the experience, so I’ve found my own ways to make networking work for me:
- Bring an extrovert friend to a networking event: I don’t know why but I have a lot of extroverts friends. I think sometimes extroverts like us and adopt us. Anyway, instead of going alone to an event, bring your extrovert friend. Then, they can help you get a conversation started.
- Arrive early: It is easier to be one of the first few people at the event so that you can start talking to people in small groups rather than trying to break into a group later on.
- Start the conversation: I usually feel more confident and find it easier to keep the conversation going when I’m the one that takes the first step.
Use your introvert superpowers: It may seem that we introverts are at a disadvantage in the corporate world, because the industry prefers the “extrovert ideal”. That’s why we usually see the most extroverted people getting promoted faster. But, as introverts, we have many strengths that can make us into great leaders too. It is better to focus on these strengths rather than dwelling on our weaknesses. These are some of the many strong personality traits of introverts that I have gathered from Susan Cain’s book and also confirm based on my own experience.
- Introverts are great critical thinkers.
- Introverts are better at delaying gratification and more disciplined.
- Introverts are great listeners and we learn from other people.
- Introverts are great at taking calculated risks.
- Introverts may not have as big of a network as extroverts but we excel at creating deeper connections.
Create an extroverted persona: Even though I have accepted and embraced my introverted self, there are some situations when pretending to be more extroverted could be beneficial. For example, if you have to lead a discussion, you may want to sound more excited and portray a strong demeanor. Or if you are going to a work Happy Hour, and you will need to engage in casual conversation. While some people may suggest to just avoid going to the happy hour entirely, I do think that socializing at these events is useful for advancing your career and growing your network. So, for situations like this I have created an extroverted alter-ego — I call her Vanessa. She is assertive but agreeable and transmits high energy in team settings.
Prepare and speak up early: One of the hardest things for me as an introvert is to participate in large meeting settings. This is not because I don’t have anything to contribute but because I like to form an idea in my mind first and make sure it is something that is going to add value to the conversation before sharing it. Extroverts are usually great at just sharing whatever comes to the mind without second thoughts. So, how can we try to speak more during meetings? Well, I like to come prepared with a few topics/themes where I know I can add value. Then, try to speak up early in the meeting, because if I don’t do that, then I spend the whole meeting stressed thinking that I have to speak and not really paying attention to the discussion.
Work on your personal brand online: Studies have shown that introverts are more likely than extroverts to create relationships online that then translate to real life connections. And this is one of the things that inspired me to start working on my personal brand online through LinkedIn and TikTok.
In conclusion, navigating the corporate world as an introvert can be a daunting yet fulfilling journey. Embracing our introverted nature doesn’t mean succumbing to limitations but rather leveraging our unique strengths.
So, to my fellow introverts embarking on this corporate adventure, embrace who you are, harness your strengths, and carve your path to success on your own terms. The corporate world may be designed for the extroverted, but with the right mindset and strategies, introverts can not only survive but thrive and lead with authenticity and impact.
