Written by Vrinda Agarwal, Vice President
As teenagers who were just pushed into reality and were forced to make sense of everything happening around us, an introvert finds different versions of the same reality in a unique and fragmented way.
From a very young age, I was a composed and reserved person, often misunderstood as arrogant and antisocial one but there was a whole layer of fun and mysteries beneath the skin of a 16-year-old girl. I was often told to be more open and to participate more in conversations around peers and family which were certainly something I had to do out of my comfort zone.
Growing up and seeing the influence people had on each other be it positive or otherwise, I wanted to make an impact with my words which seemed a bit more challenging as it was coupled with introverted characteristics. When I decided to do a major in public relations, the only thing that scared me was coming out of my shell and sharing that voice.
How could you make a difference when you know that it is twice as hard for you to get started?
- Start small:
Starting small is a very underrated yet most effective strategy. Start with a club, or a group of people in that club and try to share what you could contribute to, even if it’s organizing all the files for the presentation. Taking an active part could mean differently to most of us and doesn’t always involve being the most vocal person in the group.
- Build deep relationships:
While extroverts can be more comfortable networking and socializing, you could focus on building fewer yet more solid relationships with friends and other stakeholders to expand your network. Always value quality over quantity.
- Value Uniqueness:
Since getting your voice heard is a struggle, don’t let the chaos of the world doubt your uniqueness and strengths. Often the quietest people are the ones with the most ideas and solutions. Therefore, don’t be afraid to embrace and acknowledge that.
- Be a listener:
Introverts are great listeners and observers; leverage that. In today’s industry, we need more listeners than speakers due to the boisterous nature of media and tech. As an introvert, you’re likely to absorb information quickly (because, you know, you’re listening), and use that to your advantage in the work that you produce.
- Fake it:
When you are out there, feeling squashed by extroverts can be easy. After attending countless networking events, the best piece of advice I could offer anyone would be to pretend to be an extrovert in moments that truly mattered.
I would rather be uncomfortable drawing attention to myself at times than regret not having my voice heard later. And every time I think I did so, I became more confident at sharing my views when it matters and could make a difference.
It’s okay to be this way because there is strength and peace in isolation. Isolation of your thoughts and knowledge, but when you think it’s time, just go for it and it will be the most liberating feeling of all times. Be aware of the strengths that come with introversion and focus on honing and developing these skills and traits.
Happy Valley Comm 