Welcome to post Six of the Introvert Life Email Series! This is the second post that focuses on your introvert work life. Today we’re going to look at how to advocate for your introvert self at work.
(If you missed the previous posts in this series, you can catch up here.)
Quick side note, the tips in this post are mostly based on the assumption that you work in a work environment that is, at minimum, semi-supportive. If that’s not the case, these tips will probably only get you so far, and it might be more helpful to consider looking for employment elsewhere.
The problem with most work environments is that they’re largely built with extroverts in mind. This is because most of the world is extroverted, which means most systems are designed for extroverts to thrive in, not introverts.
This is part of the reason why workplaces can be so draining for introverts.
However, there are ways to modify your work life to meet more of your introvert needs and keep you from becoming too fried or burned out.
The biggest modification you can make is by advocating for introvert needs at your job. With that in mind, here are four ways you can advocate for yourself without being a “difficult employee.”
Ask for what you need
The first post in this series was all about identifying your introverted stressors. If you find that those stressors are being triggered by your work environment, then come up with a potential solution and ask for it.
This can be true for short-term or more permanent problems.
For instance, if there’s a lot of construction going on outside your window and it’s difficult for you to focus, ask if you can work in the little-used conference room for the time being. If a new cafe just opened right near your office door, ask if you can at some point be moved and if you can work in that conference room for the time being.
The best way to have your needs met is to go to your supervisor with your problem and along with a potential solution. This puts less work on them, and it gives you a better chance of getting a solution that will actually help you.
Or better yet, if you’ve got an open enough boss, don’t ask for what you need. Tell them what you’re doing and let them stop you. So instead of asking to work in the empty conference room, let them know that’s where you’ll be if they need you for anything.
If it’s not okay, they will let you know. Then you can present your problem and possibly work together on a solution. This, of course, depends on your boss, so use your own judgment.
Don’t agree to more than is feasibly possible
Sometimes, it can be easy for introverts to lose sight of how much energy they really have to give. It’s possible that your boss may ask you to do a task that in and of itself should be perfectly manageable.
But it’s important to remember the big picture of the other tasks you have on your plate. Is it really possible for you to do that one small task in addition to the three bigger ones you’re already working on?
If it’s not, don’t agree to take the task on. It may seem like you’re letting your supervisor down. But that’s not the case if they’re asking more of you than you have to give.
It’s okay to say, “I’d really like to help you out with that, but I don’t know how I’d get to it with Project A, Project B, and Project C.”
If the only way to accomplish a bonus task is by staying late and driving yourself into the ground, don’t say yes. If you don’t protect your energy, no one else will.
Prioritize (and communicate your priorities)
However, sometimes, you aren’t asked to take on an extra task, you are assigned an extra task.
In those cases, it’s important to prioritize what you’re working on and communicate those priorities with your boss and coworkers to make sure you’re all on the same page.
Even if you’re assigned a task, several things are still true:
You only have so much time. You only have so much energy. And if you don’t protect those things, no one else will.
No matter how full your plate is, you can’t be everywhere at once. So ask your boss what your priority should be. Then make it clear that you’ll work on that task until it’s complete, then move on to the next one.
This is a technique I learned from one of my introverted office worker friends who’s had a lot of success. This approach typically helps set manageable expectations for everyone involved and keeps the introverted worker from getting bogged down.
Ask for trade-offs
This is another tip that was inspired by my office worker friend. When you’re asked to do something additional, ask for a trade-off. This can be applied to an additional task, and additional time.
If you’re being asked to add something to your list of priorities, ask what that new task should be taking the place of.
Or if you’re asked to stay late one night, ask to come in late or leave early another day.
Because again, your time and energy do not increase just because more is being asked of you. It’s a finite resource. So if something is being asked of you, you will be in a better position to succeed if you accomplish that task instead of something else, not in addition to.
Looking for more tips on how to manage your introverted life?
If you’re liking this series and are looking for more, check out the Introvert Life Guide! which gives you an even more in-depth look at each of the areas we cover in these emails.
This guide was designed to help you build the introvert life of your dreams. And it’s full of plenty of tips, tricks, and ideas to help you create an introvert life that’s uniquely yours!
It will also help you embrace your introverted nature and build a life to help you thrive!
For more introvert life tips, check out the other introvert posts!
Sound off: How do you advocate for your introvert needs at work? Tell us about it in the comments!