Quiet Courage

I’ve learned my strengths and limits as an introvert as I’ve navigated my professional journey. Ask me about a topic I’m passionate about, and I can talk for hours… even to a roomful of people. Ask me to make small talk, and I have to work much harder. Understanding that contrast, and developing strategies around it, has served me well throughout my career, including as I moved into leadership roles with greater and greater visibility. Becoming a business owner as an introvert has presented a new challenge.

How do introverts build visibility for their own business in a way that feels authentic?

That question came to life hilariously in a recent clip from The Curiosity Shop podcast. Brene Brown, Simon Sinek, and Adam Grant laugh at themselves as they compare their rules around social interaction. Brene enjoys speaking to groups but feels anxious when people she doesn’t know approach her afterward. Simon says he’s happy to talk to you one-on-one but not as a group and he skips afterparties altogether. Adam avoids conversations before speaking, when there may be little to discuss, but welcomes them afterward, when there is a shared topic.

If you haven’t seen the clip, it’s worth a few minutes. Their willingness to laugh at themselves resonated with me: https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1DKS4ueGXH/?mibextid=wwXIfr

What stayed with me was not only their success, but also their honesty about who they are and how they work best. They have built influential businesses and platforms by understanding their preferences rather than fighting them which is a powerful reminder that introversion is not a barrier to visibility, credibility, or meaningful professional relationships. Knowing your limits is an asset.

Their honesty gave me confidence, and a good laugh, as I find my own way to build visibility and genuine connection.

Fellow introverts: What is one strategy that has helped you build visibility while staying true to yourself?