Quiet but Mighty, Part III

Maintaining Balance: Working effectively, managing office presence

This is Part III in the five-part Quiet but Mighty blog series exploring ways introverts can remain true to themselves and still experience a satisfying professional life.

Life is an exercise in balance in many capacities, including within your internship or job. As an introvert, it’s important to learn how to cater to your personal work preferences as well as how to stretch yourself. Below are a few thoughts as you begin developing into the best worker you can be.

Create your best working environment

As an intern, you probably don’t have much choice when it comes to the location and set-up of your workstation. However, there are little things you can do with the resources provided that can make you more comfortable and productive.

To avoid distractions, situate your computer or work materials to face away from a heavily-traveled walkway. If the employees around you converse loudly, ask your supervisor if you can wear headphones to listen to music softly. If you have to conduct an interview or make several phone calls, see if you can use an empty conference room. Small things like this can better suit you to tackle projects.

Know when to fake extroversion

Chances are that you cannot hole up at your desk and avoid human interaction completely. You wouldn’t want that anyway. But you also don’t have to be the person who spends a quarter of the day mingling with the rest of the office.

Sometimes, it’s in your best interest to simply fake extroversion. Maybe you are working at a company-sponsored event greeting guests. Maybe you are pulled into a customer service role. Maybe you’re in a company meeting and your input is critical.

Remember, when you temporarily adopt characteristics that don’t come naturally to you, it’s important to do it for the right reasons and to make sure you remain true to your character foundation. Right reasons: to complement your work, elevate your productivity and display a welcoming, team-oriented persona. Wrong reasons: to give someone a false impression of who you are and what you offer.

Find ‘restorative niches’

This is a concept that author Susan Cain discusses in her book, QUIET: The Power of Introverts in a World that Can’t Stop Talking. To function at their best, it’s important that introverts don’t burn themselves out during the course of the day. A restorative niche is someplace you can go to recharge. Maybe you get out of the office for a walk. Maybe you spend your lunch break reading in a quiet place. Whatever it is that gives you time to unwind and collect your thoughts, try to do it every day.

Many hallmark introvert personality traits are very valuable (though sometimes underestimated) in the workplace. It’s important for you to embrace those traits and learn how to leverage them to make yourself a better worker. But understand that sometimes it’s in your best interest to step outside your comfort zone to achieve desired results. Just be sure you don’t confuse this concept with stepping outside yourself. That will never be necessary.