Most people are surprised to learn that I am an extreme introvert. I do a fairly good job masquerading as an extrovert when it really matters – at business functions, during my own training sessions, when meeting new people, etc. etc. But there’s no denying my natural tendency toward solitude and quiet, and my great need to recharge after being around people. I used to wonder what was wrong with me, but after reading The Introvert Advantage by Marti Olsen Lany, all became clear. Some people are hardwired to gain energy from being around people and others (like me) lose energy in the same situations. (OK, there’s more more to it than that, but you get the gist…)
The problem is that introverts get branded with many unattractive and often derogatory adjectives like “shy” “reticent” “loner” or “stuck-up”. And I have found after 11 years working as an image consultant that introverts may have particular challenges with many of the appearance, behavior, and communication skills necessary for impactful professional and executive presence. If you live and work in a country like the United States that celebrates extroverted personalities, introverts need a little extra help understanding what behaviors to adopt in order to compete more effectively, influence more easily and communicate more robustly. Helping these individuals find more professional success has become my stock-in-trade.
More evidence that introversion is a hot topic is Susan Cain’s book Quiet – The Power of Introverts in a World that Can’t Stop Talking. Check out NPR’s coverage of the book here and take the handy quiz to see if you tend toward the introvert side of life…. Cain suggests that 1/3 of people tend this way. If you, one of your loved ones, or someone you work with is introverted, it’s worth learning more about this topic and, in particular, reading The Introvert Advantage, a book that literally changed my life.