In my career as a paid trainer and speaker since 1990, there were times early on I wondered, “What is wrong with me?” You see, I was just learning about my introvert tendencies. While many other business associates who attended high-energy, people filled events, seemed to always be in full gear, I was constantly, braking. My encouragement to stay the course came from my clients’ testimonials. Here’s what they said that anyone more introverted could learn to put into practice:
“It’s not often that motivational speakers take the time to customize their program to address specific needs of their client.” We introverts like to plan out important tasks. If you are asked to speak pro bono or paid for your work, it is critical to understand your audience. Taking the time to talk with and even survey the meeting planner and even just a handful of attendees will satisfy anyone with analytical tendencies, and leave the audience wanting more.
“Hats off to you for capturing and keeping everyone’s attention regardless of it being a Saturday morning combined with potential daydreaming of golf and beach going.” More introverts like meaningful conversation than idle chitchat. Whether you speak for marketing or your marketing attracted you a paid event, clients appreciate it when you keep your content relevant. I think because of our natural desire to go deep and wide about topics we have a natural advantage of keeping the listeners focused.
“I thought we would need a cane to get the participant volunteers off of the stage – you created such a fun exercise.” We’re often more comfortable being an observer than a participant. While I can ham it up to the degree of any one on the platform, speaking in public is an incredible energy drain. To balance energy, consider experiential activities in your agenda if at all possible. This allows you to facilitate. Then if you can tune into your already highly tuned intuition, give yourself permission to observe the audience and bring further insight into your program.
“Your content was key. By getting people to focus on how they interact, you got them thinking more about their personal behavior and how to get more cooperation through diplomacy.” We have a natural tendency to focus. Since we work best being focused, when we are on the platform we’re going to naturally keep the audience focused and on track.
Audiences come to listen to the message and you. If you are true to yourself – take time to plan, stick to the key points, get others involved to give yourself some downtime and stay focused – people are going swear, “You’re no introvert!” Why? Because when we relax into our strengths instead of trying for force that extrovert side of us to take over, the real us comes through in the most positive of ways.
Thank you Connie Ragen Green for asking this question which otherwise, I might now take for granted.
More to come. But, how helpful was this?
I like this post. Using your strengths reminds me of a quote:
“I can’t change the direction of the wind, but I can adjust my sails to always reach my destination.”- Jimmy Dean As an INTJ, I simply adjust the sails to catch my introvert strengths
Most everything reminds me of a pun.
Pick introverted judges when possible: If a judge loves the sound of his own voice, expect a long sentence. #pun