Interpersonal Skills for Introverts
I can’t think of too many professions where you can succeed without some sort of interpersonal skills. But, as I’m sure you’re aware, interpersonal skills don’t come naturally to some people. There are people out there—perfectly kind, warm-hearted people—who like to keep to themselves. Unfortunately, though, people in the workplace can’t read minds. So, the person who might be content eating alone and reading the paper might come off as anti-social and, worse yet, rude. But, if you’re an introvert, or you’ve broken the through the shell of an introvert, you know they mean no such thing and that they’d probably be the nicest people in the workplace if they opened their mouths. Well, believe it or not, an introverted personality doesn’t necessarily hurt your interpersonal skills. In fact, you can greatly enhance your people skills through reading and meditation.
Reading
From the first time you cracked the spine of Dr. Suess, everyone has told you reading is good. And, for the most part, you probably placed it in the same useful category as fruits and vegetables. However, reading has proven to be useful for your mental health as well as your social skills. Reading arms you with knowledge for just about any conversation. By reading, you become an expert in a variety of fields, and you’ll be able to carry engaging conversations without faltering. It’s similar to when you study hard for a test, and you breeze through it without a worry. This can be quite the confidence boaster. And anyone involved with interpersonal skill training knows that confidence is perhaps one of the most important traits to possess.
Meditation
Mediation is about as introverted as it comes. Who would think that sitting alone in silence for 20 minutes could enhance your people skills? Well, like reading, meditation is good for your physical health as well as your interpersonal skills training. Naturally, meditation helps you control your thoughts, but it also increases creativity and confidence. Whether you’re a painter or a financial advisor, creativity is crucial to the work environment. Those who can think outside the box and convey those thoughts to others are those who move up the corporate ladder. Meditation helps harness your thoughts and arrange them in a productive fashion. So, again, similar to reading, this practice typically associated with introverts is one of the best ways to improve your social and communication skills.
