AN INTROVERTS GUIDE TO ACHIEVING JOB SATISFACTION - Introvert Whisperer

Introvert Whisperer / AN INTROVERT’S GUIDE TO ACHIEVING JOB SATISFACTION - Introvert Whisperer AN INTROVERT’S GUIDE TO ACHIEVING JOB SATISFACTION It is common for most introverts to try to become more extroverted in order to achieve career satisfaction. But why? Very often introversion is seen by executives as an obstacle to better performance and career development; this can sometimes force introverts to become more active and present. So most introverts decide that being more present means being an extrovert. And what happens next? Some introverts succeed in turning themselves into extroverts but they end up pushing themselves too far outside of their comfort zone, but in most cases introverts simply shut down. The real problem behind all of this is that many introverts grow up without knowing how to truly embrace their introversion, which eventually causes a great deal of stress. Many introverts end up in careers that do not really suit their personality traits and strengths, whereas some of them find themselves in careers that suit their strengths but where they have a hard time achieving job satisfaction. There are many good resources online about jobs that suit best the introverts, but there is very little information on how to achieve job satisfaction as an introvert. To fill this gap, here are 3 essential steps you should follow in order to feel satisfied with your work as an introvert. 1. SAY GOODBYE TO THE “INTROVERTS VS. EXTROVERTS” BATTLE There is a fair amount of debate about introverts vs. extroverts. Most of it does not bring any substantial value. On the contrary, it creates a lot of confusion as to what introverts are and what they are not. Surprisingly, most of this talk comes from introverts and extroverts themselves. What will help you on your way to achieving job satisfaction is to dissociate yourself from that never-ending battle, especially at your work. Remember that your extrovert colleagues are not in any way superior to you in work ethics, effectiveness or value they bring to the company. You just do not even need to compare because it is like comparing apples and oranges, or bicycles and scooters. They are just different. Full stop. Important note: if that “introverts vs. extroverts” battle comes is initiated manager, take your time to be vocal, explain your point of view on the issue and how it affects your work. Being transparent about what makes you feel uncomfortable is key to job satisfaction.   2. KNOW YOUR STRENGTHS AS AN INTROVERT There are many strengths that introverts bring to the team that extroverts simply cannot. What will help you achieve job satisfaction is to know your strengths and learn to embrace them. Two of the most common ways to identify your strengths: ask your friends and colleagues or take one of the many strengths tests online. When I was looking to understand my strengths, I came across HIGH5, a free strengths finder that helped me identify my top 5 strengths and also let me ask my friends to evaluate my strengths via the same platform. Knowing your strengths gives you an indication of areas and activities that invigorate you and are in line with the way you perceive the world. When you utilize these strengths as an introvert at your everyday work, your satisfaction grows because you are actually applying what you are good at.   And when you do so, it actually increases your self-confidence. Important note: knowing and applying your strengths might take some time, but eventually it will bring you a lot more satisfaction at work than you thought. If you are looking for some motivation boost, take a look at one of my favorite TED Talks from Susan Cain, The Power of Introverts. 3. KNOW THE STRENGTHS OF YOUR COMPANY Ask yourself, “What is my company good at? What is it known for? What is that one strength that company’s most employees have in common?” Understanding the strengths of your company can give you a clearer indication of the way it works and what it actually believes in. If you work at a research company, two things that might pop out as company’s strengths will be written communication and independent work. Boom! Those are the strengths of almost any introvert. So knowing the strengths of your company helps you better comprehend its working style and increases your motivation when your strengths match with those of your company. Important note: Even if the strengths of your company do not completely match your own, you should concentrate on the value you bring to the table. In any type of company, things should be getting done and introverts are those who actually get things done instead of just talking about it. Experienced managers know that in order to create highly-effective teams, a good mix of introverts and extroverts is indispensable. Each group will excel in their respective areas and will feel happy once they feel accepted the way they are. But remember that there is no perfect job until you find your own strengths, understand what makes you happy, what motivates you and what is important for you. From there on, the choice becomes easy! In case you want to know how to build your dream career, take a look at this guide to first steps in your dream career building. About the author: Anatoli Chernyaev is a content marketing manager born in Armenia and currently residing in Lyon, France. Being an introvert himself, he writes about various topics such as self-awareness, positive thinking, personal development, and career advice. 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