UK 
United States
If 007 and Johnny Utah struggle with the limelight, what hope is there for the ordinary professionals that quietly kill themselves every time they are required to attend a business meeting? Yet employers that can lean into introversion may find some invisible brilliance lies lurking underneath a quiet shell. Tapping into it is the key.
I would describe myself as an ‘introverted, extrovert’ – I was a shy child that didn’t find confidence came easily, yet I relished others' company and I soon realised that the louder school children got noticed. I was, meanwhile, hiding behind a rock, reading a book. I have grown up since but what I was born as remains – I am innately shy but have found strategies to mask it. The world of work is not geared up for people like me, it lends itself to the ones that are louder, think nothing of speaking up at a meeting, thrive off meeting new people, hold fort around the water cooler and are at peace with formality and putting on a show. So, what happens to the employees like myself? The quiet grafters – is there a ceiling on how successful a shy professional can be?
Creating inclusive environments
Eve Russell is Director of People & CSR at Ecctis, a provider of solutions and services in international education, training, and skills.
She says that HR professionals and employers should be creating teams in which quieter individuals feel psychologically safe and where all preferences are respected and valued.
Russell has taken an approach at Ecctis which involves engaging different personalities in different ways. “Those ‘free for all’ in person meetings may not suit those who tend to be quieter (for whatever reason). In a meeting-type setting, chairing is absolutely key – how is the chair managing the flow of energy and contribution in the room?” she says.
As to how you can facilitate that, Russell explains, “It’s important to ensure the same (loud, confident) voices don’t dominate – something as simple as saying - “We haven’t heard from XYZ people and I’m sure they’ve got a really valuable contribution – what do you all think?” can be helpful.”
