Many people are under the common misconception that you need to be an extrovert in order to be confident. That it’s being outgoing, having the killer smile, the perfect conversational abilities, a power wardrobe and the physique and posture that screams strength.

Well it’s not.

AND, more often than not, when you see that person that’s really not what they are about either, at least on the inside.

Confidence is in large part about being true to who you are, and if you’re an introvert, then so be it – you’ve got advantages.

I have many introverted tendencies. It seems hard to believe since the majority of my business is professional speaking and training but at my heart I am mostly introverted. I love to people watch, I enjoy listening to the conversation and just letting it flow over me, and I enjoy when it’s about someone else (which is a definite benefit for my clients – because it is all about you).

Here’s 5 reasons why being an introvert works in building confidence.

  1. You already know how. Confidence and Introversion are usually contextual. You are confident in some situations and not in others. You may feel very confident in your writing abilities, just not when you have to present your report in person. Likewise you may feel extroverted when you are with a small group of people you know well but introverted with a large group of people you’re not familiar with. More than likely, you already are confident in some situations and you just need to replicate what you already know how to do, in others.
  2. Confidence is, in large part, who you are on the inside. As an introvert you may spend a good deal of time inside your own head. You’ve had a chance to contemplate what is important to you and you know what you value – which is huge! Acting on what is of value is the key to building your confidence.
  3. Introverts usually aren’t about big groups. This means you like smaller, more intimate gatherings and you have the chance to build deeper relationships. In networking for business or socially, this gives you an advantage – quality over quantity. Quality relationships in your “tribe” lead to more quality connections and support which leads to confidence.
  4. Introverts listen and speak very carefully.  Do you fully consider what is being said and carefully formulate an answer before speaking it? Introverts usually do and this leads to much greater confidence in communication because you avoid the pitfalls of “cleaning up” something that may have been said inadvertently.
  5. Introverts can be very creative and when you give yourself the chance to act on that creativity it naturally builds your confidence. Creative exercises allow you to move beyond where you are and are great for getting unstuck – another confidence booster!

I hope you will now recognize your own introverted and extroverted tendencies and how they naturally work together to make you a more confident person. Confidence is whatever it means to you, not anyone else, so embrace who you are while giving yourself opportunities to stretch as a person.

Until next time, here’s wishing you the clarity you deserve!