Be sociable. You may be the quiet type at work, but make sure you’re noticed by attending meetings and social events (at least for a short time). Make an effort to get on well with your colleagues; pay compliments and ask questions if you’re stuck for conversation.

Focus. As we’ve seen, introverts have excellent focus and concentration and are less likely to be distracted from their task than extroverts. They’re detail-oriented, organized, meticulous, dedicated and persevering. You could sum up the situation like this: If you want something done quickly, ask an extrovert. If you want something done properly,

We don’t like mixing with others or meeting strangers, and we’re not interested in flattery or small talk. A serious discussion on a profound, relevant subject with one or two similarly-minded people is another matter! But this reluctance to mingle can limit us socially and professionally.

Introverts have a tendency to live in their own world and can forget to observe the usual customs of our society. We might forget to smile and greet people, or respond to someone who’s telling us something to show that we’re still listening. It’s not much good being a great listener if other people feel you’ve switched off.

As we saw in Chapter 3, introverts tend to be concerned about other people’s feelings and welfare,

Like Kate, you need to build in moments during the day when you can get away from the noise and bustle for a while. Maybe your job allows you to work flexible hours so you can take advantage of quieter times of day, or work from home one day a week. Spread out meetings and appointments over the week instead of close together to allow for some

Many introverts feel they are pushed into acting like extroverts every day. Even our schoolrooms and offices are laid out in open-plan, communal working areas which do nothing to help those who work best alone. So how can we thrive as introverts while coping with an extrovert world?

However, it’s fair to say that other people don’t always see us that way. As introverts we can miss out on some great jobs and may fail to advance in our careers because we don’t fit. Businesses often want to see short-term gains and quick-fix solutions; not every company has room for steady, reliable thinkers and planners when they have an eye on

Introverts are not known for having a great many buddies. They’re usually happy with just a few close friends. This can affect us at work, at school, or with any activities we join (Facebook, for example) because we’re not great at getting to know people. It can get quite lonely.