No one is completely extroverted or introverted. Both of these personality types have underlying inclinations in each of us. Even while being an introvert has many benefits, there are occasions when you must embrace your extrovert side, particularly in the workplace. You may interact with both present and potential consumers more effectively by developing your extrovert side. Additionally, it might assist you to strengthen your bonds with staff members and enhance communication inside the workplace.
How do you develop your extroversion?
Here are some suggestions on how to become an extrovert more quickly, easily, and naturally, even if there are no specific steps to follow.
1. Benefit from playing at home.
Typically, introverts feel best at ease in their environment. If you can, host as many personal and professional gatherings at home as you can, whether it’s a farewell dinner at your preferred restaurant, a home-cooked meal for a date, or a business happy hour at your preferred bar.
This allows you a secure area to practice chatting with people, listening to group discussions, and finding out about other people’s hobbies while also assisting you in starting to identify other individuals with those circumstances. Every gathering is an opportunity for practice that will make talking to people more natural for you and teach you how to interact with people more effectively. Where you feel the safest is the ideal place to do that, especially at first.
2. Define clear objectives.
Create particular goals that can help you become more extroverted rather than a general one like “being more extroverted or outgoing.” At initially, these objectives might be more modest, but that’s good. A goal could be as simple as praising someone for a job well done, responding to a coworker more than once, or setting up lunch with a different coworker every week. You might be able to get closer to achieving your broader aim of becoming more extroverted by taking on these tiny challenges that push you outside of your comfort zone.
3. Rehearse, rehearse, rehearse.
You should try to talk to someone who isn’t in your regular social or professional circle each day. “How are you doing today?” you may ask the person. Ask a fast follow-up question such as, “What did you think of (the topic or recent news)?” to continue the conversation. then start an interesting conversation. As much as you can, try to pay attention to the other person and react appropriately. It’s crucial to practice having conversations with various people and subjects because they can be challenging at times.
Allow a conversation to continue if someone starts one with you by asking a question or even offering a compliment. Sometimes, impromptu chats can develop into lasting bonds. The more you practice this, the more probable it is that you’ll be able to use it when networking when it’s truly necessary. At least once a day, force yourself to engage in a brief discussion with someone, like the barista at your preferred coffee shop or the teller at the bank. The more unnatural things you do, the more at ease you’ll become.
4. Allocate time for rest.
Even while they like (some) people, most introverts will concur that they also need time to themselves. Give yourself time to relax before and after an event where you will need to be outgoing. Consequently, you might have to decrease social engagement in one aspect of your life while increasing it in another.
For instance, take a quick nap or partake in a relaxing activity like meditation or writing before a major meeting or a situation when you know you will need to be outgoing. This can help you divert your attention for a little while and quiet your thoughts. Additionally, it enables your body and mind to have a full charge, which many introverts want before entering a highly extroverted environment. After the event, give yourself some time to relax. To do that, you might engage in yoga, take a bath, read a book, or even get to bed early.
5. Be a part of a speaking organization like Toastmasters.
Is public speaking the hardest thing for you to do? Join a formal organization where you can find support and opportunity to get over this obstacle, like Toastmasters International. Aside from honing your communication abilities, joining a group like this is a fantastic way to network and meet new people.
You will frequently be requested to come up and talk in Toastmasters or other organizations. You’ll be able to think more clearly in public settings and become a better public speaker as a result of this. You will feel more at ease speaking in front of others as you do it more frequently. According to public speaking specialist John Rampton, “there will be many situations in the business sector where you have to publicly talk.” “It will be beneficial for you and your business the more you get acclimated to this. As I went from speaking at one event a year to five or six events a month, I found this to be incredibly helpful over the years.
6. Test out saying “yes”.
For a certain amount of time, establish a challenge for yourself to accept every invitation (a month is a good starting point). You’ll have lots of chances to cultivate extroverted traits by forcing yourself into novel circumstances.
Introverts sometimes turn down invitations to social events because they find it exhausting, overwhelming, or nerve-wracking to interact with a crowd. However, accepting invitations or going to activities you might ordinarily decline might broaden your social circle and give you more opportunities to develop your conversational abilities. Clients are more likely to trust business owners who are eager to participate more deeply, but you can’t engage if you don’t take advantage of socializing chances.
Naturally, it’s not always a good idea to accept every invitation because a full schedule can lead to exhaustion, but being more receptive to frequent social engagement will benefit the development of your company.
7. Allow yourself a break.
Do you become anxious just thinking about going to the holiday office party? Give yourself a break by agreeing to attend an event for at least 45 minutes. Simply having a goal in mind beforehand can alter your perspective. You might decide that you want to remain longer.
This also holds for business activities. Schedule a meeting for 15 to 30 minutes if you are giving a presentation to a big group of individuals. Setting a deadline forces your mind to concentrate on being sociable and outgoing for that time limit; everything beyond that is just a bonus success. It also aids in keeping track of how long you will spend being outgoing on any particular day.
8. Make judicious use of liquid bravery.
Don’t get overly dependent on liquid courage if you enjoy the occasional drink, especially in social circumstances, but know that it’s a tool you can utilize if it works for you. In tense circumstances, one or two drinks (maximum) can be helpful, but they shouldn’t be your first option. If nothing else seems to be working, a drink could help you unwind in a social situation.
9. Recognize your position.
Do you hug the walls during a networking event or a party, or do you go straight to the concession stand and stay there? You probably won’t see any of the extroverts you know standing still or leaning on walls. Instead, they usually occupy the center of the room and engage in conversation with others nearby.
Stand a few feet away from the person you are speaking to and look them in the eyes. Aim to stand exactly in front of your conversation partner. This will enable you to get to know them better without breaching their personal space or making them feel more uncomfortable due to your close closeness.
10. Act as though you’re hosting.
The newlyweds make it a point to make eye contact with everyone at the reception and avoid sitting close to those they know the best. At every event you go to, act like the host and engage as many people as you can. This is something you should do in professional settings, networking events, and even family get-togethers. After all, improvement comes through practice.
11. Use active listening techniques.
The most interesting people are usually the best listeners, and introverts can flourish in this area because they are frequently talented listeners. Show genuine interest in what others are saying by following up with questions and comments. Without great verbal and nonverbal communication skills, you are unlikely to develop a successful sales team, close deals, or attract clients over the phone.
12. Review recent events.
Check out the top news stories of the day before going to an event. This will guarantee that you are knowledgeable about current affairs and have conversation topics. If someone brings up a trending issue to you, you should also appear knowledgeable.
13. Identify the conversation starters in the room.
Choose a few icebreakers and make use of them, whether they are a person’s unique jewelry or the most unusual item at a silent auction. For instance, you can choose to start a conversation with a possible business partner by making small talk about what they are wearing or carrying, such as a pocketbook or briefcase. This can lessen the anxiety that most introverts experience before engaging in an activity that calls for them to be more outgoing.
14. Put your phone away.
Both introverts and extroverts may find this to be a significant difficulty because business owners frequently have notifications and communications flowing in nonstop. If it gives you a way out of talking to someone or an excuse for not responding, a phone can also become a destructive comfort blanket. If you appear to be busy, most people won’t want to chat with you. The other person may feel frustrated and unheard as a result of this disrespectful behavior. Avoid the temptation to use your phone as a crutch in situations where you should be concentrating on interacting with others by leaving it in your luggage or car, if at all possible.
15. Be prepared with a few anecdotes.
Have relevant jokes and tales on hand whenever you are required to interact with others. Look up a few relevant fun facts or recent news pieces that guests of the event will find fascinating if you’re going. These are excellent conversation starters and will put you at ease in a potentially stressful scenario. Although changing your thinking and ingrained desire to shun social interaction is difficult, it is possible. The more you apply these suggestions, the better your leadership and business will be.
Who are extroverts?
However, for any of these suggestions to be effective for you, you must have a clear grasp of what an extrovert is. Extroverts are more outgoing and vocal in their conduct and interactions with others, whereas introverts are more on the quiet side and like to keep to themselves. The renowned psychologist Carl Jung said that these two personality types derive their energy from several sources.
According to Jung, extroverts gain energy through interacting with others and the environment. They feel most at ease when they are collaborating with others, discuss their ideas loudly, and solve problems in groups. Extroverts tend to be more spontaneous, which encourages risk-taking. Their spontaneity aids in their adaptability and ability to deal with changing conditions. It is simple to understand why these abilities—which have to do with communication and confidence—are important when managing a corporation. You should search for these traits not only in managers and other high-level employees who support your company’s leadership but also in yourself.
What advantages do extroverts have in the business world?
Businesses grow when introverts and extroverts collaborate and play to each other’s strengths. Extroverted behavior and contact, however, can be more advantageous in a business, particularly when dealing with coworkers, clients, or customers. Here are some advantages of being an extrovert in the workplace.
- Positive feelings: Extroverts frequently have more positive feelings, which can prevent burnout. Extroverts are less prone to experience burnout because of their social skills, love of being around people, and capacity for situational adaptation. This is not mean that they will never feel burnout.
- Strong feelings: Extroverts are more likely to be viewed favorably by coworkers or employees, and they may persuade people to help them. Extroverts are better at distributing duties and articulating what they want or need. Extroverts often take up leadership roles for this reason.
- Continued motivation: Those who are outgoing are frequently not afraid to speak out for themselves, fight for their professional aspirations, and stay driven to accomplish goals and work towards rewards.
- Collaboration: When coworkers and leaders work together to achieve objectives, a corporate environment functions best. Because it enables them to speak about their ideas aloud, hear others’ suggestions, and work together to develop solutions, extroverts typically prefer working in teams.
