Introvert but not anti social.

A Shy Person’s Guide to Networking

Are you an introvert who finds her own company better than being with others. Is your energy drained by being around other people?

Introverts are more concerned with the inner world of the mind. They enjoy thinking, exploring their thoughts and feelings. They often avoid social gatherings.

Some introverts develop good social skills through practice. Even then they prefer solitude to crowds. If they have to mingle with others for a long time such as at a party, wedding or a corporate gathering, they get pissed off. After such events, introverts need some time alone to recharge themselves.

Being an introvert doesn’t mean that they can’t have or do not want to have conversations. But the conversations that they enjoy are about ideas and concepts.

If you are an introvert — not a “people person” — and still connect and build a network, there is a way out. Here are some ideas on how to do it,

Acknowledge your introversion. Trying to act like an extrovert when you are not one, is a surefire recipe for disaster. Accept that you are an introvert and identify what you are good at. Seek work that plays on the strength of an introvert — like writing and research.

Handling your introversion with grace could actually get people to be more comfortable when they are with you. Introversion is simply a state for the inner world of ideas and this is where an introvert get his energy to do big things. When you let people know your strengths — directly or indirectly — they also come to you for that strength. If your friends and associate know that you are good with ideas — and that you are willing to help — they will come to your for idea. Eventually you can become a go-to person for ideas.

Play on your strengths: Introverts may not want to speak but they can listen for sure, and others — who are not introverts — want to speak. So in friendship be the listening friends — one who cares for others. In business meeting — you can build your reputation as someone who is an woman (or man) of few words but speaks powerful words. So do your research and make definite short statements and you will look like a leader.

Get out of your comfort zone. Don’t make your introversion a handicap. Get a little out if your comfort zone. During a conference, be friendly with people around you. If you are in the line for food or waiting for a workshop to begin, start up a conversation with the person next to you. Ask them what they do, and then continue to listen. If you find someone who likes to talk a lot — even better — because then they will be the ones doing most of speaking.

Remember, you’re awesome. Be confident about your strength and move around in life with silent grace. This is more powerful than you think. Try to enhance the greatest asset that you have. Don’t think what people would think of you when you talk to them. You will realize that people actually want to connect with you and love you and your work.

Now get ready to rock the world in your own way.