To succeed professionally, you don’t necessarily have to be extroverted. Introverts can also demonstrate great qualities, which are essential in the professional world. The same goes for orals. Just because you’re an introvert doesn’t mean you’ll necessarily be penalized! Find out how to successfully stand out.
Being an introvert does not necessarily mean shyness. If extroverts feed their energy from those around them and constantly need to be surrounded by others, introverts direct their energy inward (thoughts, feelings, meditation, etc.).
This does not necessarily mean that they are not sociable and that they prefer to stay in their corner without interacting socially with their colleagues, far from it. During meetings, they will tend to process information internally and very rarely speak publicly. It is only when their thoughts are well structured that they make themselves heard. So they are very thoughtful.
A daily life marked by fear
Introverts usually feel that they will be judged by their colleagues or that they will never be listened to if they express their opinions, especially in public. In certain cases, this feeling can paralyze them and harm their career development, especially in professions where social ease and the ability to do work networking and to exchange are essential elements. However, introverts demonstrate exceptional empathy and emotional intelligence, so many soft skills valued and sought after by recruiters and juries during business school oral exams.
To be as effective as possible at work or in interviews and overcome daily fears, it is recommended for an introvert to:
- Work in a calm environment and favor teleworking
- Take breaks alone to reconnect with your inner energy
- Listen to music and meditate
- Work with a group of people with whom he will feel comfortable
Prejudices to avoid when talking to an introvert
Introverts don’t like interacting with those around them
This idea that introverts don’t like talking to their colleagues is completely false. This prejudice comes from two elements, they are not naturally comfortable with the idea of approaching people they do not know and it requires a lot of energy to discuss everyday subjects. But, if an introverted person is comfortable with you and considers you their friend, you will see that they will enjoy the idea of interacting with you!
Introverts can’t stand being the center of attention
This prejudice is not completely false. Introverted people are likely to feel uncomfortable if they are showered with compliments or if they have to give a presentation in front of a large group of people. However, in the professional context, feeling that their work is valued and being thanked will do them the greatest good. In the same way, if a project or idea is particularly close to their hearts, they will not hesitate to present it with enthusiasm and passion.
Orals and interviews: Qualities to highlight when you are an introvert
To stand out, you just need to highlight a few qualities that will make the difference both during oral competitions and in companies or during recruitment.
Listening ability
Introverted people have exceptional listening and compassion skills. They will not be the first to speak, but will remember what you say and give you the best advice. They also have great empathy and will understand what you are going through.
This may certainly seem improbable, but all these qualities and this level of emotional intelligence make the introvert a very good manager. For example, Barack Obama, Bill Gates and many others were introverts and that did not stop them from excelling in their field. Such a level of responsibility certainly requires effort and great sacrifice, but that does not mean that they will not succeed in their work.
Diplomacy
Introverts know how to step back from a situation and reconcile the points of view of different people. It can be difficult to work in an environment where personalities differ, but an introvert will be diplomatic and make the best decisions possible without offending any party involved.
Independence at work
Introverts are used to working in a calm environment, while extroverts necessarily need others to be productive. So, for an introvert, working in complete independence represents a certain comfort. Solitude does not scare him at all and he handles it extremely well. As far as group work is concerned, he will not be reluctant to make his contribution and put forward his ideas.
In business, it is essential to reconcile different profiles and include introverted and extroverted people. The complementarity between the two personalities is very interesting and inevitably leads to the success of the projects.
