How to Thrive in the Workplace as an Introvert
Many workplaces and business hierarchies were built with extroverts in mind. While extroverts are busy keeping the spotlight on themselves and their accomplishments, introverts often struggle to speak up and highlight their contributions.
If you’re an introvert looking for ways to thrive in your workplace, you’ve come to the right place. The following are our favorite ten tips to help you thrive at work.
1. Choose a career that lets you spend time working alone.
If possible, choose a career path and select jobs that allow you to do work alone.
Since you likely do your best work when you’re alone, take advantage of jobs that allow you to work independently. Consider working as a graphic designer, writer, programmer, or accountant.
While it’s possible to succeed at jobs that require more interaction, it will be a lot more exhausting for introverts to work in jobs like customer service or sales, since these jobs require significantly more time in front of others.
If you choose a job that requires you to interact with people on a regular basis, do your best to set aside extra time to rest and recharge.
2. When possible, set aside time to work alone.
If you work at a desk in an open office space, find time when you can step out and be alone to work. Even if you can’t work somewhere else, take advantage of your breaks throughout the day to get away from people and recharge.
A recent survey by Pew Research found that 62% of workers with a bachelor’s degree (or higher) education can do their work from home.
If you work best in solitude, consider asking your employer about allowing you to work from home a few days a week. This may boost your productivity and provide you with the space you need to thrive.
3. Find ways to block out noise.
One study found that introverts are more easily distracted than extroverts.
If you’re constantly fighting distractions during your working hours, noise-canceling headphones might be just the thing to help you tune out workplace chatter and focus on what’s in front of you.
You can also block out noise by shutting your office door (if you have your own office) and purchasing a white noise machine.
If you really need to get an important task done, consider finding an alternative workspace that allows you to concentrate without the distractions of your usual work environment.
4. Create a game plan for office “small talk.”
Introverts hate small talk. Unfortunately, this type of conversation is common in the workplace and an essential part of building workplace relationships. For many introverts, small talk causes anxiety because they just aren’t sure what to say.
You can help offset this stress by thinking of a few questions to ask during chats with coworkers. The following are a few questions you can ask:
How was your weekend?
What projects have you been working on?
Did you do anything fun over the recent holiday?
Do you have any special plans coming up?
These questions not only give you something to ask, but help your coworkers see you as someone who is interested in their lives. You’ll break the ice and avoid the usual small talk anxiety.
5. Make the most of your good listening skills.
Time Magazine published an article about how introverts have a knack for listening to others. They often do better at paying attention than their extroverted counterparts, making them an asset in the workplace. Use your listening skills to make connections and solve conflicts.
While you may not speak often, your listening skills will give you plenty to say when you do need to speak up.
In management positions, introverts are adept at making the people under them feel heard. Don’t forget how valuable this skill is in the workplace!
6. Write things out before phone calls, meetings, and presentations.
Studies have found that introverts usually do better with written communication than verbal communication. This important skill gives you an edge when it comes to written workplace communication like emails and instant messages.
However, a large amount of workplace communication happens during phone calls, meetings, and presentations.
If you know you’ll need to speak to others, write down everything you have to say. There’s nothing wrong with reading what you’ve written to ensure you’re presenting everything exactly how you want.
If you’re making phone calls and leaving voicemail messages, write out a script with the exact words you want to use. This will help alleviate your stress and provide you with an opportunity to present your best self.
7. When possible, set boundaries around workplace communication.
Certain types of communication are usually more draining for introverts, such as phone calls and interruptions. Whenever possible, set boundaries with others about how you’d like them to communicate with you.
For example, you might say, “Hey, I’m working on this big project. If you need something, send me an email and I’ll get back to you when I’m at a good stopping point.”
Sometimes this just isn’t possible. Since other people may prefer phone calls and meetings over digital communication, you may need to use their preferred methods on a regular basis.
When these types of communication are unavoidable, set aside a little time after each call or meeting. Use that time to recharge and get things done.
8. Prepare for office parties and other networking events.
A room packed with people is often an introvert’s worst nightmare. Instead of trying to talk to everyone there, plan ahead and figure out which people you really want to connect with at the work event. Pre-plan discussion topics to help keep the conversation going.
The other thing you can do in preparation for networking events is figuring out a graceful way to duck out early. In most cases, you won’t need to be there from start to finish. Plan ahead to determine when to leave without offending anyone.
Alternatively, you can offer to lend a helping hand behind the scenes for an event. This gives you a ready-made excuse to duck out of the room to catch your breath.
9. Speak up about your accomplishments.
It’s uncomfortable talking about everything you’ve done at work, especially if you’re afraid people will think you’re bragging. To thrive in the workplace, you will need to be able to honestly assess your accomplishments and communicate those accomplishments to the right people.
Many jobs have their employees fill out performance reviews where they assess their effectiveness in the workplace. It’s important that you don’t undersell your accomplishments on these reviews, since they are often used to determine raises and promotions.
Your critical inner voice may be whispering to you that you haven’t done enough or that your best just isn’t good enough. Take a bold step and confidently share your accomplishments with your coworkers and superiors. Let them see how well you’re doing!
10. Take time to manage stress and enjoy rest.
It takes time to restore your energy after the social pressures during the workday. Set aside time for rest to help you stay energized and motivated. The following are a few suggestions to help you manage your energy at work:
Set aside ten minutes of rest after a long meeting. Find somewhere you can be completely alone for ten whole minutes.
Take your lunch breaks! Resist the urge to eat meals at your desk and take the opportunity to eat elsewhere. Use your entire work break to get away from people and do something fun. Whether you read a chapter from a book or play games on your phone, make your lunch hour a genuine break.
Give yourself alone time at home after work. If you live with others, make sure they know that your need for alone time is important for your work and your relationships.
Do something fun on your day off. While people often use their days off to get things done around the house, make sure you’re scheduling time for fun. Your hobbies are an important investment for your overall happiness and well-being.
Even when you get plenty of rest, stress can build up and cause problems. Make sure you aren’t allowing yourself to get carried away in a cycle of negative thoughts and stress. Invest in stress-relieving activities like exercise and meditation to help you manage your stress levels. If your stress may be due to a chemical imbalance, seek help from a medical professional.
Conclusion
Even though most workplaces seem to be designed with extroverts in mind, introverts can still thrive at work. The ten tips above will help you block out noise, manage workplace relationships, and handle everyday stressors.
No matter how introverted you are, you can thrive in the workplace. In fact, an article published by Forbes says that introverts can be the most valuable employees. When you allow your abilities to shine in the workplace, your coworkers will see you as the valuable asset you are!