Introverts in Business

My name is Amanda and I'm an introvert. Sometimes I feel like I have to open with that and identify myself so people know how I'm going to react in certain situations. But I find that a lot of people have a misconception about what being introverted really means, and can easily underestimate the value of those characteristics, especially in business.

01:08 A major difference between introverts and extroverts has to do with energy and how we're affected by the people around us.

01:30 Sometimes an introvert doesn't appear to be "shy," but that's not what it's about. We can be sociable, but we need time to ourselves to decompress afterward.

01:59 Networking can be particularly difficult as an introvert because we do better one-on-one than in large groups. I stopped going to loud, crowded networking events because they weren't enjoyable or productive for me.

02:42 You have to honor yourself and know when you need to push yourself out of your comfort zone, and when you need to accept that something isn't right for you.

03:11 At one of those networking events, someone told me I couldn't be a producer because I'm an introvert. When actually, some of my introverted tendencies make me a stronger producer. The power of observation allows me to be keenly aware of what's going on around me, helping me anticipate potential problems. Listening to others instead of always talking helps me connect with others.

04:28 Being quiet and nice are not hindrances. You don't have to be bold and outspoken to be successful. You can be those things and be successful, but the point is you can be introverted, extroverted, or somewhere in between, and be good at what you do.

05:00 Know who you are and own it. Understanding your strengths helps you navigate client relationships better. Sometimes you might choose to compromise, but other times you might realize you're just not the right fit.

05:57 Don't be afraid to have conversations with your clients, vendors, and other people you're working with - let them know how you work and why it benefits them. Just because they pay you doesn't mean they can decide how you should run your business. It all comes back to communication.

06:56 You just have to be who you are. It's the best way to stay authentic to your business and make sure you're connecting with the right people who appreciate you. You can be an awkward introvert and still be successful. You can be a life-of-the-party extrovert, and still be successful. Just be yourself and be successful.

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