How to Find the Answer to the Question: “Can I Really Promote Myself and My Work?”  

Last week I received an email from one of the training participants at my recent “Personal Branding” training. It was a story of difficulty about feeling wholly comfortable at the office, despite considerable success in that realm.  Following is what she wrote.

The Success – and Struggle – of An Introvert in the Corporate Sphere

“Nidhi — I attended your Personal Branding training last week. I realized I am not using this important career development tool. But to be honest with you, I am not sure if I can apply your concepts and techniques to my situation.

I grew up in a culture and family where I was constantly asked to be humble. Talking highly about oneself was disregarded. This value is deeply ingrained in me. Hence I am not sure how to alter it. I try to stay away from the limelight. The minute I start to talk about my accomplishments, I start feeling like a braggart and I fumble.

Currently, I am working as a senior consultant in a large multinational accounting firm. Over the years I have realized that I prefer to keep my head down. I do my work, excel at it, and let it speak for itself. I do not enjoy company networking evenings or going out for drinks. I prefer to work in quiet settings and in smaller groups. I don’t always have instant comments at meetings. And I don’t often express animated emotions. I know that I am an introvert.

I have also learnt the hard way that this does not work well in a corporate setting. I have suffered and struggled.

During your workshop, you mentioned briefly that introverts don’t need to “build their brand” in the same way extroverts do. 

I am keen to know more and understand how. Can I overcome my introversion and promote my work?

What do you think?

Thanks.

The Secrets to Managing – and Valuing – Introversion in the Business World

And this is what I replied:

“Thank you so much for your email and for raising this question.

First, please bear in mind that “introversion” is not your weakness. So there is no need to overcome it. In fact, now that you have identified this about yourself, no one can use it against you. As the Huffington Post recently reported, some of the world’s most successful individuals are introverts. So please, don’t for one second, feel that you need to change who you are.

The only task you need to do is this: learn to use your behavior preference as a strength in your career.  Here is how you can do it:

1. Take an Internal Audit and Pursue your Strengths 

• Ask yourself “Which activities do I truly enjoy?”
•  At what kind of events do you feel you most comfortable?  Make a list and focus your efforts only on these.
•  For example, if you enjoy playing tennis, start a tennis club at your work. You can send an email inviting enthusiasts to join you for a game after work. This way, you have achieved two things:
  • • You have let your colleagues know that you are good at playing tennis (which in turn builds your brand).
    • You have created a networking opportunity – but one where you will be in your best spirits and feel more authentic.

2.  Stand Out by Listening Well

Listening well is a highly underrated quality in the business world. People tend to keep interrupting others to show how smart they are. When they are not interrupting, they are thinking about what they will say next when the other person finishes. In an increasingly limelight-driven environment, true attentive listening, with ears and hearts, hardly happens.

Being an introvert, listening well comes naturally to you. As you are not focused on saying the next smart thing, you can pay more attention to what your leader or peers are saying. This way you can offer your suggestions at the right time. Realize that this is a strength, and use it in your favor.

3.  Use the Power of Writing and Online Branding

The fact that you prefer your “me time” over a relentlessly social schedule means you can create plenty of opportunities to sit, think and write. Your writing need not be award-winning. It just need to be out there – in the form of your thoughts, comments, and experiences. Put them all on a professional blog or use one of the social media channels. This way people can get to know you better, without you having to tell them.

And above all, remember that you can still be heard without being loud. As the philosopher Rumi said:

“Raise your words, not your voice. It is rain that grows flowers, not thunders.”