Overcoming Shyness…
Communicating with people you don’t know that well, whether they’re clients or co-workers, can be stressful. This is especially true if you happen to be shy. But, there’s really nothing to worry about.
Being shy or introverted won’t stop you from making connections (and maybe even friends) at work. By following these tips, opening up to the people you interact with will be easier than ever before.
Start Small
If you’re shy, it can be difficult to “jump right in” and start networking with strangers. So, start out by practicing with close friends and family members. Interacting with people you already know takes away the element of not knowing the other person. This makes the conversation less tense. Not only that, positive interactions with friends and family helps build your confidence and makes future conversations with people you don’t know a more pleasurable experience.
Stay Confident
Projecting yourself as a confident person goes a long way toward having positive interactions. If you seem confident in yourself, it’s easier for your peers to view you as someone who knows what they’re talking about. On the other hand, if people view you as apologetic or introverted, it’s generally harder to get noticed.
Seize Opportunities
Any time a someone asks you for help or tries to engage you in conversation, you have the opportunity to get to know this person a wee bit better. Rather than dismissing him (or her) or giving a one-word response, it’s best to say something that keeps the conversation going. If you’re not comfortable talking about your personal life, keep the conversation focused on work-related or more generic topics instead.
Help Others
Helping people out is a sure way to leave them with a good impression. If you have a particular skill which is helpful to your peers, let them know that you are readily available to provide assistance.
Each time you help with a project, it lets people know that they can count on you in the future. Lending a hand to your peers also helps to ensure that they’ll have no problem reciprocating, if and when the time comes.
Take Risks
It’s difficult for some people to take risks in their social life, especially people who are introverted. The fear of being turned down or getting a negative response is enough to keep most people from putting themselves out there. But, if you can get over this fear of rejection, you will open yourself up to all sorts of new networking and connecting opportunities. You will also be better prepared for future conversations with strangers, such as customers or contractors.
Prepare Ahead of Time
Presentations or discussions with the boss can be nerve wracking, especially when you’re trying to think of what to say. Never put off preparing for these things until the time arrives. The more effort you spend preparing material, the less stress you will feel during these events.
For presentations, you can even go so far as to write up a script and rehearse it in advance. If you’re getting ready to meet several people at once, think of a couple of light-hearted questions to ask everyone to break the ice.
Whether at work or in your personal life, it’s important to open up to and communicate with people. If you’re the type to keep to yourself, don’t let that keep you from taking advantage of every opportunity. Remember, working to overcome this shyness has a big impact on your career and your future.
