4 Management Tips From a Shy, Introverted Manager
Who needs extroversion when being quiet can be even more inspiring?
I manage people based across the world in Western as well as Eastern Europe, Southern Africa, and Asia. This means managing time zones, remote working, and cultural differences from my 10-square-meter bedroom in Morocco.
I’m shy, introverted, and pretty damn awkward sometimes, making it an even more daunting challenge. I’ve also never met my team members in person because they’re new, having joined us during these pandemic times.
So how does a stuttering introvert who couldn’t even say hello on the phone five years ago handle being a manager? It’s taken quite a few years of work, but it boils down to doing these four things.
Choose authenticity
Don’t push against your shy, quiet nature. Embrace it. There’s strength in silence. There’s power in stuttering through a sentence and choosing to keep your head held high, rather than saying sorry for something you can’t help.
Prepare before heading into a meeting. Whisper positive affirmations to yourself. Whatever you need to do, but go into it being yourself. You’d be surprised at how attractive that is to people.
