Many seasoned executives and professionals describe themselves as introverted and, by their own admission, lacking talent in public speaking, business and technical presentations. Surprisingly, it is their tendency towards introversion that gives them the qualities required to become competent and effective speakers. Here are 5 reasons why introversion could be a valuable asset to leverage your professional development.
First, let us define introversion as a psychological disposition characterized by a predominant orientation of interest and attention towards one's own inner life, to the detriment of external stimuli. We tend to associate introversion with shyness and yet these two words are not synonymous. Shyness is linked to social anxiety, while introversion is a modality of functioning that reflects a preference for reflection and tranquility.
You might think that this is not a foregone conclusion for introverts, but, on the contrary, here is what they can use to achieve success.
1. ADDED VALUE
People who have a strong tendency towards introversion are reluctant to speak out without careful consideration of the intrinsic value of their contribution to the debate. If they do not see added value, they will abstain. When they attend a presentation themselves, they evaluate the opportunity cost associated with being in the room, so be sure that they factor in the cost-benefit of their presentation when it is their turn to present. For them, presenting is serious business, and listeners can be assured they are in the room for a reason.
2. RESEARCH
While they tend to invest a lot of effort in preparation, it is likely that these speakers will have thought about the composition of the audience and targeted the key listeners in their preparation. The presentation will have a well-defined strategic objective, and they will self-evaluate, often a little harshly, against this target. Nothing will be left to chance. The presentation has a defined purpose, and the auditors have been identified.
3. TIME MANAGEMENT
They will often be efficient and economical in their presentation and will stick to facts and a logical framework without spreading themselves too thin in personal considerations. Time is limited and therefore precious. While one might think that the presentation will lack a bit of pizzaz, the talk will at least be effective. The challenge for speakers who have a tendency towards introversion is to share their inner experience with the topic and to externalize their thinking and feelings. Here, Storytelling is an important tool for these speakers to integrate into their delivery.
4. PRACTICE
These speakers will tend to favor practice and repetition because they have convinced themselves in advance that they lack natural talent. Presenters who have a tendency toward extroversion often gloss over this part of the preparation because they rely on what they mistakenly believe, is a natural talent that gives them an unfair advantage. Some people, it is true, have a natural propensity and, one could say, a certain talent, but nothing replaces preparation, practice and work. Here the methodical approach of the introvert will win milestones.
5. ATTENTION
If people who have a tendency towards extroversion often present themselves to us as the center of attention, those who have a tendency towards introversion find it quite difficult to bear being the focal point of the meeting. Paradoxically, the best speakers are the ones who downplay their importance in this public space and present to the people in the room. An introverted person tends to turn the spotlight on the listeners and away from self, a quality that is highly valued by the audience and one of the most important in the success of a speech.
CLOSING REMARKS
By my own admission, I'm an introvert, just like my more illustrious counterparts in the introversion camp who, like Warren Buffett, Barack Obama, and Winston Churchill, had to work just a little harder to become effective communicators. When people ask me why I chose a job in which I present publicly to dozens, if not hundreds of people every day, I simply tell them that my toolbox is just a little more complete than that of the average person. Keep hope my fellow introverted brothers and sisters, what you believe to be a handicap is an advantage!