There’s a big misconception of introverts
People think introverts are loners who want to live in the woods by themselves. As an introvert, my answer: No! Introversion isn’t that.
Myths are going around in our society that make introverts feel and look bad.
But being an introvert isn’t bad. I love it and don’t want to change.
Accepting myself took a long time because society told me something different growing up.
I need to speak up and louder. They persuaded me that something was wrong with me because I wasn’t outgoing. This limited my beliefs in myself, and it’s still affecting our children.
Let’s bust the biggest myths and spread the word:
#1 “They’re not confident.”
Just because we’re quiet doesn’t mean we aren’t confident. Confidence has nothing to do with how much or how loud we speak.
I experienced it the other way around: the loud people are usually the insecure ones looking for attention. Quiet people are generally more confident than the ones being loud. Because we aren’t looking for attention to feel good about ourselves.
We let actions speak. We don’t need to dominate the conversations. But when introverts say something, it’s well-prepared and a good contribution.
It’s a valuable strength introverts have: to speak when we have something useful to say. We aren’t wasting our or anybody else’s time.
It took me a long time to get my confidence because growing up I had the feeling I was doing and saying everything wrong. Mobbing gave me that impression.
I know a lot of introverts feel the same way because we’re quiet and an easy target. It takes us years to gain confidence and overcome the trauma.
The general perception of confidence is being loud, proud, and charismatic. But it’s actually about the consciousness of your power. Introverts show that confidence differently.
How to confidently network as an introvert: I’m telling you all about it in this course.
#2 They can’t lead and present awkwardly.”
Like most things in life, leading and presenting can be learned. Nobody liked giving a presentation at school, right?
But with practice, I got more comfortable and confident. Presenting is just another skill that everyone can be good at with practice.
My first presentations were really bad. Shaking from the nervousness and struggling to say full sentences. Even though I hated presenting, I’m glad we were forced to do them because with every year I got better and better.
At university, I was already confidently presenting my semester project and led meetings as the president of a student organization. Something I could’ve never imagined doing when I had my first presentation with 12.
Studies found that introverted leaders are more successful than extroverted ones.
Why?
We have strengths that are important for leading people:
- Introverts listen
- Introverts don’t interrupt
- Introverts are empathic
- Introverts calmly analyze and then decide.
- Introverts focus well
- Introverts are prepared
We lead with structure and empathy. Introverts don’t like inefficiency or improvisation, so we are well-prepared for every meeting. We ensure clear communication, which improves the decision-making process.
We listen to problems and work on a solution with focus.
But what we need isn’t modern open-plan offices, but quiet rooms for ourselves to figure it out. The needs of introverts are usually not met in work environments.
Micromanaging and talking with people the whole day is not the leadership type introverts are. We choose our employees wisely, listen, and know their strengths to use them appropriately.
This is what makes introverts great leaders. Don’t underestimate us!
#3 “They don’t have friends.”
Introverts love being alone. It recharges our energy, but that doesn’t mean we’re lonely.
Like every human being, we need relationships. We aren’t loners.
But we don’t need people around us daily to be happy or have fun. We have our close friends with whom we can be open and show our extroverted side.
Our bond is strong, so we don’t need to talk with them daily or weekly. We have deep conversations and exchanges and then need time to recharge.
It’s different with my boyfriend. We live together, and I usually don’t need space from him to recharge. We’re in the same room doing our things, and sometimes we cuddle or go on a day trip, and it’s not depleting my energy.
Because I’m 100% myself with him. We understand and support each other 100%.
Other people might feel like introverts don’t have friends, are arrogant, or cold because we’re selective about whom we want to spend energy on. We thrive in 1:1 or small group settings, having deep conversations with people we genuinely connect with.
Introverts take time to warm up to someone, but as soon as they feel comfortable in the presence of this person, they glow up and show their deep personality and thoughts.
Find your balance
Those myths in our society hurt us because growing up we believe them, and they limit us to reach our potential.
We’re introverts AND we can be leaders AND successful AND have friends.
But the world is made for extroverts, and it’s up to us to find the balance for optimal energy.
Now that you know the common myths about introversion.
Let’s show the world what we can do!
Don’t listen to them and find your way of living a successful life!
Quiet people don’t need to “come out of their shell.”
Being quiet isn’t something that needs to be fixed. It’s a strength that deserves to be celebrated.
And we are so much more. Just like the saying goes, “Still waters run deep.”
