Terri's Tuesday Tip of the Week - August 9th

I'm a real extrovert, but when I'm round someone new, I'm super shy. - Serena Williams

An extrovert looks at a stack of books and sees a stack of papers, while an introvert looks at the same stack and sees a soothing source of escape. - Eric Samuel Timm

I'm an introspective person. I'm not an extrovert. - John Thaw

Last week, Terri's Tuesday Tip gave a high level overview of the difference between extrovert, introvert and ambivert. This week, let’s go a little more in-depth about extroverts.

Extroverts are individuals that refresh/refuel/energize by being around people.  They like to talk through issues with other people, brainstorm and challenge ideas.  Burst of energy for extroverts come from smiling, making eye contact or making small talk.  At work or in social situations, they can still be shy, but once they feel comfortable they will “work the room” and know every detail based on their socializing with others.  

In our busy society, it is important that we meet the needs of each other.  According to Fast Company, Extroverts need:

• To be respected for their independence
• Complimented in front of others
• Allowed to explore by talking things out with others
• Provided options
• Allowed to shine  

Famous Extroverts are: 

• Muhammad Ali
• President Bill Clinton
• President George W. Bush
• Boris Yeltsin
• Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher

CHALLENGE: Think of someone in your “Inner circle” that is an extrovert.  What can you do this week to allow an extrovert to shine?

Resources:

http://www.fastcompany.com/3016031/leadership-now/are-you-an-introvert-or-an-extrovert-and-what-it-means-for-your-career

http://flowpsychology.com/famous-extroverts/

http://www.theadventurouswriter.com/blog/extrovert-at-work-personality-traits-of-extroverted-people/

Terri's Tuesday Tip of the Week - August 2nd

Knowing yourself is the beginning of all wisdom.  - Aristotle

Accept everything about yourself–I mean everything, You are you and that is the beginning and the end–no apologies, no regrets. - Clark Moustakas

I have to be alone very often. I’d be quite happy if I spent from Saturday night until Monday morning alone in my apartment. That’s how I refuel. - Audrey Hepburn

Introverts are dependent on their own inside noise, extroverts are dependent of outside noise. The outputs are dependent on quality of those noise. - Amit K Ghosh

Extrovert…Introvert…Ambivert…

These words have become very popular in the last few years with the publication of Susan Cain’s book, Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking.  These words have been around for a while because MyersBriggs included introverts and extroverts when characterizing an individual’s personality style.  Understanding how we get our energy and understanding how others get their energy is so important.  This week, the blog post is giving a high level overview of the differences and in the coming weeks different aspects of each personality style will be discussed.  

Extroverts are individuals that get their energy from active involvement with people and different activities.  These individuals usually like to talk about a problem out loud with others to solve.  They are usually seen as outgoing or a “people-person”.  Extroverts are usually comfortable in large crowds and know lots of people.

Introverts are individuals that get their energy from being alone allowing time for introspection.  Often times, they solve problems in their minds without seeing if their solution will fit into the world.  Introverts are known as reflective or reserved.  They usually are comfortable doing things alone or with one or two people.  

There is no such thing as a pure introvert or extrovert. Such a person would be in the lunatic asylum.  - Carl Jung

Ambiverts are individuals that have both extrovert and introvert qualities.  Ambiverts are individuals that like to have quiet time, but can also handle being around large groups of people.  They are often the best at sales because they are listeners to find a customer’s true needs and think through the problem.  Once the customer has stated their concern, the ambivert is then able to solve the problem with a product/service.  These individuals adjust their energy to the individual they are interacting with.  

By understanding your energy style, it helps you accomplish more in life to make sure you get the time you need either being with people or quiet time alone.  It is also helpful to understand other’s personality styles so that you understand how they process and why they interact with you and others the way they do. 

CHALLENGE: Do you know if you are an introvert, extrovert or ambivert?  To discover your personality style, take one of these simple and quick assessments: http://www.danpink.com/assessment/ or http://www.quietrev.com/the-introvert-test/.

There are tons of articles online and many books to read.  Below are just a few I reviewed to write the blog post. 

Resources

http://nymag.com/scienceofus/2016/07/fixating-on-introversion-limits-your-life.html

http://www.myersbriggs.org/my-mbti-personality-type/mbti-basics/extraversion-or-introversion.htm

http://www.quietrev.com/ambivert-results/

http://www.scienceofpeople.com/2014/12/are-you-an-ambivert/?utm_expid=40598772-27.GUo7WtuzTPijmAjYBtNktQ.1&utm_referrer=http%3A%2F%2Fr.search.yahoo.com%2F_ylt%3DA0LEVvfMsp9XkHIAHRgnnIlQ%3B_ylu%3DX3oDMTByNXM5bzY5BGNvbG8DYmYxBHBvcwMzBHZ0aWQDBHNlYwNzcg--%2FRV%3D2%2FRE%3D1470112588%2FRO%3D10%2FRU%3Dhttp%253a%252f%252fwww.scienceofpeople.com%252f2014%252f12%252fambivert-extrovert-introvert%252f%2FRK%3D0%2FRS%3DKsBB3dzGWodvDcDJugGD4y1KTHo-

http://www.lifehack.org/articles/communication/10-signs-you-are-probably-ambivert.html

              

Terri's Tuesday Tip of the Week - July 26th

Pulling a good network together takes effort, sincerity and time. – Alan Collins, author of “Unwritten HR Rules”

The currency of real networking is not greed but generosity. – Keith Ferrazzi

You can have everything in life you want, if you will just help enough other people get what they want. – Zig Ziglar

Networking is marketing. Marketing yourself, marketing your uniqueness, marketing what you stand for.     – Christine Comaford-Lynch

Tips for Networking

Dress for success - Our society has gone to business casual and even more casual in some offices.  This is definitely not appropriate attire for networking.  Your attire will be determined based on the event attending, but always dress appropriately and no less than business casual! 

Business cards – A great way to be remembered is by providing a professional business card.  This may be a business card from the company you work for or you can purchase inexpensive professional business cards with your personal information on it.  When attending events, everyone will be talking to a lot of people.  Business cards will help a new contact remember you.   

Risk it!  - When going to a networking event, the likelihood is that you will not know anyone.  Take the risk and go introduce yourself to someone.  New contacts = New opportunities

Firm handshake – According to the American Psychological Association, a firm handshake can cause a favorable first impression.  Research has shown that a firm handshake indicates extraversion and open to new experiences.

FOLLOW UP – As I am attending events, my goal is to write a handwritten note to the individuals I meet to set myself apart.  When I first started going to meetings on Capitol Hill for the company I work for, I would write handwritten thank you notes and I believe that is why so many people on The Hill remembered us.  Sometimes, handwritten notes are not an option so sending a cordial email and connecting on LinkedIn may be the best option. 

Your smile is your logo, your personality is your business card, how you leave others feeling after having an experience with you becomes your trademark. - Jay Danzie

CHALLENGE: The goal is to meet someone, interact with them and then follow up.  By having three interactions with an individual, you have made an impression and they will remember you. 

Based on your unique skills or profession, what other ideas can you incorporate into your networking opportunities?

Additional Reading & Resources

http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/236x/62/8b/1a/628b1a389568bdadfa3d813351d2fd45.jpg

http://www.careers24.com/career-advice/job-hunting/why-is-networking-so-important-20140702

http://www.businessinsider.com/the-importance-of-networking-2011-5

http://www.foxnews.com/story/2008/06/03/importance-networking.html

http://www.scienceagogo.com/news/20000611025925data_trunc_sys.shtml