Looking for some communication tips for introverts? Sure! Because introverts belong to those people whom it is so easy to misinterpret. It does not happen because an introvert shies away from other people and gets badly confused when addressed directly. The actual difference between introverts and extroverts lies in their energy sources. Extroverts are energized by interactivity with different people as well as participating in activities. On the other hand, introverts are often tired by all this and recharge when on their own, engrossed in contemplation. Outside of their customary environment, they may feel stressed and frustrated. Naturally, it creates a disruption of the normal exchange of ideas, so you cannot be 100% sure you came across as you should.
If you feel you got stuck in a situation like this, some tips can help you along to achieve a decent understanding.
Be aware of your objectives, skills and drawbacks
If you are, you’re on the perfect springboard for successful activity. For a better understanding of yourself and your position, you can pass a couple of simple introvert-or-extrovert tests to gain a deeper knowledge – yet most of us are not clear-cut extroverts or introverts, but something in-between, or, psychologically speaking, ambiverts. Nevertheless, tests may dig up a few revelations for you and bring insights on how to employ your strong points and in what direction to develop.
Make good use of your ability to listen and observe
Even the truest introverts who come across as reserved, timid, and unsociable, can use their personal qualities to enhance communication. Without taking an active part in the ongoing conversation, they can sit back and observe closely what is happening – the observation can produce interesting details that would add to what is being said.
There were studies actually showing how introverts due to their observance abilities gain a clearer comprehension of how participants feel and behave within a group. Consequently, by understanding the group dynamics, they could be more persuasive in coming up with innovative ideas.
Bear in mind that you can do a lot with your voice
To give communication due quality, first of all, you should have a worthy contribution to the conference. But that is only grounds for good communication – some people would rather forgo their ideas than voice them and expect possible backlash. Yet if we think about it, what can happen worse than others dismissing your idea and looking for new ones. It can hardly be regarded as irreparably ruinous.
Count your tools and see that you have plenty of them
When you are facing social events that you can’t avoid – job-related networking, parties you have to attend with your spouse, whatever – prepare a number of questions that will help you propel your socializing. Take your cue from these suggestions:
- “Is there any challenging project currently that you participate in?”
- “Have you had any highlights recently?”
- “What do you think about this or that popular issue?”
If you phrase your questions like this you will be inviting your interlocutor to make a short speech which will prompt further questions.
Be an active listener
While it is often difficult for an extrovert to listen to somebody for a longish time, introverts do it without demur. The ability to listen attentively belongs to the best human qualities.
Listening passively you have to hear a person out without interrupting, questioning or responding; listening actively you try to understand everything and be ready to respond and keep up the subject. Choosing to be an active listener you have to show your interest in what is being said, display your involvement by nodding and uttering stimulating sounds; your active participation may not even prove necessary.
Develop your ability to communicate
We are not all born with the gift of brilliant communication – many of us train ourselves to acquire one. When you practice better communication skills it doesn’t mean you will change your nature drastically and stop being an introvert. But when you encounter a situation you can’t squeeze out of, you will feel sure you can tackle it. No matter what kind of person he or she is, any professional ought to improve their soft skills.
You will find various books and courses in abundance, just pick out any source that will best suit your cognitive abilities.
Shift your important conversations to a friendlier environment
If it is up to you, invite people to hold significant conversations at venues that suit you best, that are quiet and non-distracting. When a place is rather noisy, you will have to raise your voice, and noise will certainly interfere with pondering over the current issue.
Your emotions will also be influenced by the temperature and color scheme of the place – brightly illuminated settings create an excitable, festive atmosphere, hampering reflections. If the place is too warm, it is no good for serious thinking, either.
Desist from speaking overmuch – it is not a good idea
Since introverts realize they are not inclined to talk too much, they may delude themselves into believing that they will acquit themselves better if they present themselves as eager conversationalists. But this is the idea that fills them with horror right from the start.
In fact, it is absolutely not required to do so. The amount of conversation is not so important as the needful information that you can impart. Be ready with a few lightweight sentences to insert into the common chat and wait for the big-time conference instead of doing small talk.
Allow for plenty of time to think around the current situation
If you are introversive, you do not follow the beaten path and can come up with innovative ideas. For generating those you need some time of your own to let your ideas mature. If you have enough time when you can concentrate on your train of thinking, you will be able to find this elusive edge over your competitors. Mark your time-out on your schedule and treat it like your must-have.
How to gain time to arrange your ideas in order
When a conversation is in progress, oftentimes the participants need to put in more concentration in order to express themselves more clearly. It is not always the best idea to speak off the top of the head. Time to think can be gained by asking the interlocutor for a few minutes by saying something like:
- “If you would wait a short while, I will try to express my opinion in the best way possible.”
- “I need to consider it carefully, could you excuse me for a moment?”
While we are mostly extrovert-minded, people are not expected to fall silent and create a pause in a conversation. You need to ask permission to make a short break socially acceptable so that the other person understands what is going on and that it relates to the subject you are discussing.
Prepare your public deliveries well ahead
So many people feel it takes so much out of them when they are to make a public speech. When you feel that you can easily lose the thread of the address, make a detailed list of your points so that you can even share it with others if needs be.
Acknowledge and be ready to bear discomfort
Certainly, some meetings can – and had better be – eluded, and issues can be sorted out by exchange of emails; yet it is bad policy to rely on such ploys endlessly. Now and then you have to brace yourself to see people and thrash out stringent topics with them. And put your best put forward. Consider undergoing therapy if you need strong support to get rid of acute anxiety. Yet you may have sufficient courage to face people if you can persuade yourself to see such occasions through without flinching.
When a conversation threatens to become prolonged, call for a break
It may well happen that the communication is going on and on taking more time than expected, and the process begins to wear you out. If you are in bad need of a break, arrange for it! You don’t need to say it out as it is; say you would like to adjourn to the restroom, order coffee for everyone, get some documents or others that are left in your car, and turn your tail on the situation. Disappear, do some stuff and allot time to spend in reflection. Wash your face with cold water, and have a drink. Recharge yourself in the best manner possible.
