Imagine stepping into a room full of buzzing conversations, lively debates, and networking galore—welcome to the typical day in Learning and Development! If you’re an introvert, this might sound more like a scene from a horror movie than a typical workday. But worry not because it's time to flip the script! We've crafted this guide especially for you - the quiet achievers, the deep thinkers. We'll explore how introverts can leverage their unique strengths and carve out a thriving career in L&D. Ready to embrace your superpowers and make waves? Let's jump right in!
What does it mean to be an introvert?
Contrary to popular belief, introversion has less to do with how sociable someone is, and more with how they recharge and get their energy.
One of my most favourite ways to explain the difference is with a car. Imagine you have 2 cars – one electric and one with a solar panel (you are clearly an environmentally-conscious individual!).
Let’s say that on Monday you decide to take out your electric car out for a few errands – grocery shopping, banking, meeting with friend for lunch and stopping by the post-office to pick up a package. By the end of the day, you come back home, park your electric car in the garage and the battery is drained. So you plug it in and leave it overnight to charge up.
On Tuesday you happen to need to do the exact same thing – grocery shopping, banking, lunch, post-office – but you decide to take your solar paneled car. You drive around all day and by the time you come back home, it is fully charged and ready to go!
The same is true for people. Extroverts are like the solar car – the more it spends its’ time outside, interacting with the world around it, the more energised they feel. Introverts are like our electric cars. They will accomplish the exact same thing as the extroverts (and chances are they will look very sociable doing it!), but by the time they come home, they need to recharge their batteries by spending some alone time – reading a book, watching a movie or staring at nothing in particular.
Here are some other differences between extroverts and introverts:
Extroverts | Introverts |
Draws energy from other people | Draws energy by spending time alone |
Talks first, thinks later | Thinks first, talks later |
Prefers working with other people | Prefers working by themselves |
Is interested in discovering a breath of ideas | Is interested in digging deep into an idea |
Usually talkative and outgoing | Usually quiet and reserved |
Can feel fatigued from having to spend too much time by themselves | Can experience fatigue from having to spend too much time with people |
If you want to learn more, check out the works of Carl Jung or the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator.
How can introversion impact your career in L&D?
While introverts have many valuable habits (like listening and observing, attention to detail, empathy, strategic planning and so many others), they may also experience difficulties, especially when it comes to career development.
Whether you like it or not, networking is a big part of career development. And if that is something you struggle with, then your career may suffer from it in the long run. But fear not, there are things you can do. Read on!
Tips to start thriving as an Introvert in L&D
Carve out your alone time
We know how important alone time can be for an introvert! So, don’t ignore it. If you need some time to just rearrange your thoughts or you’re feeling overwhelmed by the environment you’re in, politely excuse yourself and find a quiet corner. We promise, no one is going to be mad at you. Especially if you explain why you need it.
Leverage your strengths
As an introvert, you have some superpowers, like listening, observing, written communication and delving deep into topics. Leverage those! Volunteer for projects that require you to listen attentively, observe others or analyse the situation (like the yearly Learning Needs Analysis process!). If you need to say something but are not sure how to do it face-to-face, write an email. (By the way, this is the last time we’ll be recommending writing MORE emails, this is just for the purposes of helping our dear introverts).
Pick the right role in L&D
Did you know that some L&D roles do not require as much social interaction as others? For example, LMS administrators mostly work with the Learning Management system. Perhaps you can specialise in one of those roles? Just pick the one(s) you think might be interesting and compare your existing competencies to the ones needed for the role of your choosing.
Build one-on-one relationships
Just because you might feel anxious during networking events, doesn’t mean you don’t network at all. Leverage the power of one-on-one relationships. Pick a person and approach them for a coffee chat or lunch. Use your superpowers of listening and observing to learn more about them. Ask (appropriate!) thought-provoking questions that will help you build trust and rapport. And do it for the sake of creating a new friendship, not only when you need something in return. Relationships take time!
Bite the bullet
Sometimes you just have to turn your “extrovert mode” on! It’s not easy, and it takes some practice, but it is absolutely possible to look for opportunities to be more social – grab a drink with someone, invite a bunch colleagues to lunch, initiate a conversation in the elevator or watercooler. Of course, you will need your alone time afterwards to recharge (we get it!) and it’s perfectly ok. You just need to plan accordingly.
Thriving as an introvert in the world of Learning and Development might feel like navigating with a solar panel on a rainy day, but with the right strategies, you’ll shine brighter than ever. Embrace your unique strengths and remember that even introverts can conquer the networking jungle — sometimes, you just need a good recharge session afterwards.
So, how do you take advantage of your introversion? And how do you deal with the pressure of this extroverted world we live in? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below. We can’t wait to learn about your introverted superpowers in action!
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