Where do you want to be in your career in 10 years? When I think back 10 years, meetings, meeting, and more meetings come to mind. Not a perfect match for me as an introvert. However, I learned a lot about how to thrive in a corporate environment from my days on Wall Street. And then I left to radically change my life and my career. Now, as a business communication coach, I have fun helping the Garbos I coach go from cubicle to corner office. To learn more about my journey, check out the article I just wrote for the New York Times titled “Success Isn’t Only for the Extroverts” (Sunday, Nov. 1, business section). You may get an insight or two to inspire your own journey, whether you decide to stay on your current path, take a different road, or go somewhere where there are no roads.

In his “Talking Points” article for Entrepreneur magazine, Ross McCammon (better known as “the Esquire guy”) shares heaps about “How can you go from ‘public speaking isn’t my thing’ to full-fledged confidence.” I’m interviewed in the article.

Stephanie Overby makes a good point in her new story in CIO magazine, “Self-Promotion: Learning the Right Way to Brag.” “When someone essentially invites you to brag—‘What’s new? How’s everyone in IT?’” she says, “responding with a laundry list of accomplishments won’t work.” Yes, in fact, that’s one way to get labeled a bore! Instead, she adds, “Prepare for such moments by first compiling a list of accomplishments: recent successes, obstacles overcome, compliments from a client or colleague. Update the list often so it stays current.” And of course, make it timely and relevant to your conversation partners. Overby interviewed me and Peggy Klaus, author of BRAG! The Art of Tooting Your Own Horn Without Blowing It, for her story.

In her recent Washington Post article, “Career Coach: Tips for Introverts Who Aspire to Leadership Positions,” Joyce E. A. Russell, Ph.D., dispels misconceptions about introverts and offers concrete guidance to help you get ahead. She draws from her own experience as an industrial and organizational psychologist who coaches executives as well as from my book, Self-Promotion for Introverts®. She also quotes Jennifer Kahnweiler, Ph.D., author of The Introverted Leader, on reasons introverts make great leaders. Happy leading (fanfare and drum rolls optional)!

Sure, take the high road. But first, aren’t you entitled to get peeved—at least, privately—when your boss or colleague takes credit for your ideas? For tips to help get—and keep—your name attached to your ideas and creations, check out Rhymer Rigby’s Financial Times article, “The Careerist: Coping with Idea Thieves”; I’m interviewed in the article.

“In a perfect world, diligently doing a good job would be enough to ensure pay raises and career advancement,” says Sara Eckel in her article, “Get on Your Boss’s Radar.” If only! She continues, “But the truth is that you also have to put yourself and your work on display for your boss and other managers.” Eckel also says that shy, unassuming people are often overlooked. Check out her article, in which she interviews me and other career resources—for five tips to help you raise your profile in the office. Of course, you can do so while remaining authentic.
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I picture myself at the old Algonquin Roundtable with pundits from my circle, and we’re discussing how introverts can promote themselves to Jo(e) Extrovert—who, incidentally, is busy working the room. See what Cathie Black, president of Hearst Magazines, Seth Godin, marketing guru and internationally bestselling author, and the other super savvy business brains share in this new free excerpt from Self-Promotion for Introverts® on Monster.com.

Introverts are in. Or at least we’re becoming better understood—and learning more to use our quiet energy to our advantage. In a recent story for Inc.com, Jessica Stillman praises Susan Cain’s ubiquitous Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking—which people can’t seem to stop talking about! “From a Time cover story to a New York Times Sunday Review piece by Cain, the topic of how our society undervalues introverts and the needs of those with a quieter disposition has been making frequent appearances in the media lately,” says Stillman. (more…)

If you’re a small business owner, you probably need to spend a fair amount of time pitching your ideas and selling your wares. If you’re an introvert, you’d probably rather provide value to your customers than talk about the value you provide them. While you may not be programmed to toot your own horn, you can use your quiet strengths to build your business. Check out the tips for introverts I share during my interview with Karen E. Klein on the Bloomberg BusinessWeek – Smart Answers Small Business Tips and Advice podcast.

“Why doesn’t my good work speak for itself?” asks a self-described shy, reserved reader of Joyce Lain Kennedy‘s nationally syndicated “Careers Now” column in the Los Angeles Times. “If you don’t say good things about yourself, who will?” replies Kennedy.
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