When surrounded with colleagues
who are outgoing, liberal with sharing ideas and just constantly
chattering, allowing yourself to succumb to introverted tendencies is a
dangerous path. Certainly you don’t want to risk having your value to
the team questioned, or even just letting your great ideas go unheard.
On the other hand, constantly trying to speak up in such a group is flat
out exhausting, especially if you’re introverted
by nature. Fortunately, there are some key strategies you can help you
assert your value without feeling like you have to blurt something out
at the first quiet moment.
Resist the “Extrovert Fest”
Dennis O’Neill, an Executive Coach with a PhD in Adult Education as well as a Master’s in Organizational Psychology, talks about something he calls the “extrovert fest.” “When a group of extroverts become excited about something, be it the presence of a senior executive, a stimulating or controversial group discussion, a brainstorming session, or anything else,” O’Neill says, “they can get competitive, and frankly, sometimes it is not very pretty.”
Like I said before, the temptation is to rush to assert yourself at every possible opportunity. Instead, O’Neill advises, “Do not get swept up with the excitement of the moment by trying to outdo every one of them at the game. If you compete with them, you become lost in the fray as just one of them.”
Become a Moderator
Of course, this is no easy feat, but with practice and patience,
it is possible. “Develop the maturity to credit others for their ideas
or contributions,” O’Neill says. “Build on what you think is viable from
what has been said and provide a summary or propose an idea that
incorporates the ideas of the other extroverts–without competing
directly with them.” Support each member without being threatening,
bringing all the group’s thoughts together in a positive way.
Career Counselor Lynn Berger also says that the key to the extrovert is that he or she must be heard, so by listening carefully, validating what was valuable about the comment, and expanding upon it, you can contribute without trying to overpower anyone.
“You can distinguish yourself at a higher order, as a leader,” O’Neill says, “by helping all of them to come up with the best solution or idea. You selflessly label it as ‘the group’s idea’ and help them all to ‘feel the win.’” Ultimately, resisting those chaotic brainstorming sessions (or “extrovert fests”) in favor of a supportive, productive summary will work both in your favor and your team’s.
Read the rest of the article from Levo League...
Resist the “Extrovert Fest”
Dennis O’Neill, an Executive Coach with a PhD in Adult Education as well as a Master’s in Organizational Psychology, talks about something he calls the “extrovert fest.” “When a group of extroverts become excited about something, be it the presence of a senior executive, a stimulating or controversial group discussion, a brainstorming session, or anything else,” O’Neill says, “they can get competitive, and frankly, sometimes it is not very pretty.”
Like I said before, the temptation is to rush to assert yourself at every possible opportunity. Instead, O’Neill advises, “Do not get swept up with the excitement of the moment by trying to outdo every one of them at the game. If you compete with them, you become lost in the fray as just one of them.”
Become a Moderator
Of course, this is no easy feat, but with practice and patience,
it is possible. “Develop the maturity to credit others for their ideas
or contributions,” O’Neill says. “Build on what you think is viable from
what has been said and provide a summary or propose an idea that
incorporates the ideas of the other extroverts–without competing
directly with them.” Support each member without being threatening,
bringing all the group’s thoughts together in a positive way.Career Counselor Lynn Berger also says that the key to the extrovert is that he or she must be heard, so by listening carefully, validating what was valuable about the comment, and expanding upon it, you can contribute without trying to overpower anyone.
“You can distinguish yourself at a higher order, as a leader,” O’Neill says, “by helping all of them to come up with the best solution or idea. You selflessly label it as ‘the group’s idea’ and help them all to ‘feel the win.’” Ultimately, resisting those chaotic brainstorming sessions (or “extrovert fests”) in favor of a supportive, productive summary will work both in your favor and your team’s.
Read the rest of the article from Levo League...
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