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Common Challenges* of Introverts in the Professions
*challenge - "something that by its nature or character serves as a call to battle, contest, special effort, etc." -- Random House Dictionary |
You're highly skilled as a professional, whether your field is accounting, medicine, engineering, or another of the professions. You've studied for many years to become an expert. You're extremely competent at what you do. And you're a high achiever. But, no matter.
At any stage of your career, if you're an introvert, you still may face professional challenges (or outright problems) that arise as a result of your introversion. Although it's not a given, your years of training, professional skills, and advanced knowledge at times can be little help when it comes to managing your professional presence. Especially when navigating interactions where extraverted behavior is revered, as it is in many companies, professional situations, and definitions of leadership.
Not all introverts face the same things or all of the things on the list below. Just some of the challenges faced by introverts are:
- feeling drained by the demands of your interactions
- being expected to lead others in an outgoing, take charge way
- sensing a communication mismatch between yourself and subordinates, bosses, colleagues, or even clients
- disliking and being uncomfortable with networking
- failing to get the recognition you really deserve that would enable you to move up or earn more
- lacking political influence and leverage in your organization
- wanting to shine in interviews, performance reviews, presentations, or similar public spotlights
- being overlooked or taken-for-granted in meetings and decisions
- dislike for thinking on your feet, especially in stressful situations
- being misunderstood and underestimated
I know many introverts who have had these experiences. You are not alone. But they are not your destiny and need not define you.
These are simply challenges that serve to call you to action. With your strengths and abilities, you can also tap the power of introversion.
What you may lack is a knowledgeable professional to help you see your capabilities objectively and to help you use them to gain advantage in your specific milieu. The services that I provide are aimed at closing this gap.
Early in 2009, I conducted an informal survey of subscribers to my newsletter, "Insights for Today's Leaders" to identify the introversion-related challenges that they face.
challenge. (n.d.). Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) . Retrieved August 29, 2009, from Dictionary.com website: http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/challenge
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