In today’s fast-paced corporate world, the spotlight often falls on those who speak up the loudest, which can present unique challenges for introverts.
Modern workplaces, with their open-office plans and constant networking demands, tend to reward extroverted behavior.
Introverts, who may prefer quiet, focused work, often find themselves overshadowed despite their abilities.
This brings us to a crucial question: How can introverts succeed in environments designed for extroverts?
Deb Liu, CEO of Ancestry.com and former Facebook executive, has shared advice on this very topic.
As an introvert who navigated her way to the top of some of the world’s largest companies, she offers actionable strategies to help fellow introverts overcome the common hurdles they face at work.
Deb Liu’s Journey: From Introverted Product Manager to CEO
Deb Liu’s career journey is a testament to what introverts can achieve with the right mindset and strategies.
Starting as a product manager at PayPal and later creating Facebook Marketplace, Deb Liu steadily rose through the ranks to become the CEO of Ancestry.com. However, her success didn’t come without its challenges.
As an introvert, she initially struggled with self-promotion and networking, skills crucial for advancing in the corporate world.
She openly admits that she was once the quiet employee who believed that hard work alone would lead to recognition.
But she soon realized that in a world where visibility matters, it wasn’t enough to just be good at her job, she needed to learn how to market herself effectively.
Today, as a CEO, Liu draws on her experiences to guide others on the same journey.
The Critical Skill for Introverts: Self-Marketing
The one skill Deb Liu emphasizes for introverts is self-marketing.
It’s a misconception that introverts don’t want to be recognized or promoted. Often, they simply struggle with how to put themselves out there in a way that feels authentic.
Liu explains this using an analogy, imagine you’re an engineer creating the world’s best light bulb, but you don’t tell anyone about it.
How will others know its value?
Self-marketing isn’t about bragging or being overly self-confident.
It’s about ensuring that your contributions are visible to the right people.
Without this skill, introverts may find themselves overlooked when opportunities for promotion arise, regardless of the quality of their work.
Real-Life Example: The Overlooked Product Manager
A compelling real-life example of this issue is the story of an introverted product manager who consistently delivered exceptional results but never talked about them.
She assumed her work would speak for itself, but when it came time for a promotion, she was passed over for someone who had been more vocal about their contributions.
This scenario is all too common.
Many introverts are highly capable, but without the skill of self-promotion, their efforts go unnoticed.
The lesson here is clear, you need to find ways to ensure that your work is recognized, or you risk being overlooked despite your talent.
Practical Strategies for Introverts to Market Themselves
For introverts, the idea of self-promotion can feel uncomfortable or even disingenuous. However, there are practical, low-pressure strategies to increase visibility while staying true to one’s personality.
Document Your Achievements: Keep a record of your accomplishments. When it’s time for performance reviews or team meetings, you’ll have concrete examples to share.
Leverage Written Communication: If speaking up in meetings feels overwhelming, consider sharing your ideas and successes through well-crafted emails or reports.
Seek Feedback Regularly: Ask for feedback from colleagues and supervisors. This not only shows your initiative but also creates an opportunity to highlight your work.
Start Small: Begin by mentioning your contributions in one-on-one settings before transitioning to larger group interactions.
These small, consistent efforts can gradually help introverts become more comfortable with self-marketing and ensure their hard work doesn’t go unnoticed.
Changing the Workplace: How Leaders Can Support Introverts
While introverts need to adapt, leaders also have a responsibility to create inclusive environments where all employees can thrive, regardless of personality type.
Deb Liu advocates for leaders to make conscious efforts in this regard.
For instance, rather than rewarding only those who speak up frequently in meetings, managers should actively seek input from quieter team members and recognize different styles of contribution.
Some companies have already started to implement changes to support introverts.
Buffer, a social media management company, conducts meetings in a written format, allowing introverts more time to process and contribute without the pressure of speaking on the spot.
These types of inclusive practices can ensure that introverts are valued and heard.
Learning to Speak Up: A Necessary Skill for Introverts
One of the biggest challenges introverts face is learning how to speak up, especially in group settings.
According to Deb Liu, speaking up is a skill that can be learned. It may never come naturally for some introverts, but that doesn’t mean they can’t improve over time.
The key is to view communication as a muscle that needs to be strengthened.
Here are a few tips introverts can use to improve their speaking skills:
Prepare in Advance: Before meetings or presentations, write down key points you want to discuss.
Practice in Safe Environments: Start by speaking up in smaller or more familiar groups before transitioning to larger settings.
Use Non-Verbal Communication: If speaking up feels too daunting, try to assert yourself through eye contact, gestures, or facial expressions.
These techniques can help introverts develop confidence in their communication skills, allowing them to contribute more effectively in the workplace.
Final Thoughts: Turning Introversion Into an Asset
The advice shared by Deb Liu is clear: introverts can thrive in the workplace, but they need to embrace the skill of self-marketing.
While the process may seem uncomfortable at first, learning to share your accomplishments is essential for career advancement.
However, introverts don’t need to change who they are. Instead, they should view their quiet strengths, like deep focus, empathy and listening skills as assets, while also working on their ability to make those strengths visible to others.
By taking small steps, introverts can balance their natural tendencies with the need to market themselves in a corporate environment, ensuring they are recognized for their contributions and opening the door to future opportunities.