Introverts Unite: Recognize and Celebrate Your Quiet Strengths

We all have them–strengths I mean. Unfortunately, introverts, especially those of us working in extroverted work environments may not value our strengths. In fact, we may focus more on our weaknesses, comparing ourselves to our more outgoing and energetic co-workers.

It’s no wonder we act this way as we are encouraged from an early age to be more extroverted.

This is what author Susan Cain describes as “the extrovert ideal”.

She writes, “We live with a value system that I call The Extrovert Ideal—the omnipresent belief that the ideal self is gregarious, alpha, and comfortable in the spotlight.”

Fortunately, in our fast-paced, hyper-active and unfocused world, there is a growing recognition that the strengths that introverts bring to the workplace are vital for the success of both individuals and the organizations that they work in.

And as we learn to value our introverted strengths we can be role models for others.

But first we may need to identify, develop, value and accept our quiet strengths.

Each of us will have our own strengths but I’d like to share a few that I think are worth celebrating:

Listening and engaging others which are important leadership skills
Staying cool and calm under pressure
Thinking first and talking later which usually leads to better decision-making
Networking because we tend to listen and develop close relationships with people
Sales because we listen and are able to develop relationships with a diverse group of people
Conflict resolution…again because we are able to listen and allow space for others to solve their own problems

So, how do we go about identifying our strengths? There are many different ways to do this depending on how much time and money we have. The cheapest may be just to ask yourself some questions and reflect on your answers:

What energizes you? How can I do more of this?
What do you value about who you are and what you do for others?
What have you accomplished so far in life and how have you been able to this?

And there are some brilliant on-line resources and tools such as the ones available from the Authentic Happiness website at the University of Pennsylvania which offers a free “short strengths survey”.

Another way to identify your unique strengths is to ask other people so be prepared to listen to the positive things that people have to say about who you are and what you do best.

Cheers!