For too long, female introverts have been expected to stay silent and conform to extroverted expectations of society.
The truth is that speaking up as an introvert can be incredibly powerful—it can offer a unique perspective that changes conversations, brings exciting ideas to life, and gives you the courage to pursue your passions.
It might seem like outspokenness and confidence are traits reserved for extroverts. And while these qualities play their part in communication, there are also unique traits that come with being an introvert—intuition, careful listening skills, and analytical thinking.
Many successful businesses were founded by introverts who found their voices by speaking up. Such leaders include Susan Cain (author of ‘Quiet: The Power of Introverts’), Marissa Mayer (former CEO of Yahoo!), and Mark Zuckerberg (founder of Facebook). These inspiring people all realised the value that comes with tapping into the power of their inner voice.
So how do you go about speaking up?
As an introvert, it’s important to recognise what works best for you first before taking any steps.
Consider your environment; maybe talking in large groups doesn’t feel quite right but you can still help shape conversations with smaller circle discussions. Feeling confident in not behaving like an extrovert is really the first step.
It's also helpful to set small manageable goals on your journey toward finding your voice. For example, each week strive to make one comment during a meeting or conversation where it feels natural and comfortable for you to do so– gradually increasing this over time until eventually find yourself comfortable voicing opinions regularly.
The key thing is not to feel overwhelmed or pressured by the idea of 'speaking up'.
Recognise when enough is enough and take breaks if needed – self-care like journaling can be beneficial for getting in touch with our thoughts and feeling more confident within ourselves.
You deserve to use your voice just as much as anyone else does! Shatter the silence so that you can unlock the power hidden within all those quiet moments — unleash your potential today with just a few words!
If you need support speaking up- book here for a free discovery session
Try this blog on 'Can Introverts Be Confident'