Where are you along the introversion and extroversion continuum?

This month I have done more extroverting that I normally do so needless to say, I am exhausted. Yesterday I was invited to be a guest speaker in a local Chamber of Commerce networking group.

Let me pose the same question to you as I did to them: knowing that we ALL do introverting and extroverting all day long, can you identify some of your favorite activities of either type?

Not surprising to me, however to the group it was, once they got going, light bulbs began to come on!

Yes; many people like reading - on the introvert side of the continuum. On this side are also activities like contemplating, planning, preparing, meditating, gardening, having lunch alone, listening to relaxing music at a low volume, and listening.

I believe that listening is more toward the middle of this "doing" continuum.

And then the extroverting actions are more like hosting a party, lunching with friends, happy hour events, networking events, speaking or in public, going to a party.

Most people, once they understand the continuum, can identify their preferences of "doing" and then have more understanding of what gives them energy.

What other activities do YOU like doing and which side of the continuum would you list in on? Read more!

2007 Networker of the Year is One of Two Recognized Twice in 28 Years

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:
Patricia Weber
Professional Strategies Inc
757-870-1953
pweber@prostrategies.com

May 29, 2007

2007 Networker of the Year is One of Two Recognized Twice in 28 Years

Download this Press Release as a PDF Document

WILLIAMSBURG, VA: Patricia Weber of Williamsburg was recognized with the 2007 Peninsula Women’s Network (PWN), Networker of the Year Award. PWN of Hampton, Virginia, is the longest continuously operating women's network in the country. Its first meeting was in May 1979.

Weber is only the second member in its 28 years to receive this award twice. Weber has been on the board since 2004 serving as VP of Membership twice, leading the organization into technology with it’s member only website, is a contributing staff writer to the newsletter and facilitates annual teleclasses for the members on use of their website.

Weber, America’s #1 Sales Coach for Introverts, owner and founder of Professional Strategies Inc, concentrates her business on coaching salespeople, independent professionals who sell and small business owners, primarily introverts.

The Networker of the Year is selected from the members, currently 178, in recognition of outstanding service to PWN. It acknowledges that Weber contributed her time, talent and energy to helping connect people with people throughout the community.

“It’s a privilege to have this recognition. When I consider the friendships I have in the network, the award is second place. That’s the introvert in me! I love helping where and how I can because it’s what this network is about,” says Weber.

Patricia Weber, America’s #1 Sales Coach for Introverts, has been serving clients around the world since 1990. The company offers a wide array of professional development services including business coaching and critical soft skills training for the public and private sector. For more information, visit www.prostrategies.com or call 757-870-1953.

### Read more!

More comfortable, confident sales approach for introverts

Can you answer any of these questions, “yes?”

- Are you uncomfortable with selling?
- Does marketing at a networking event make you queasy?
- Do you procrastinate with follow-up, just a little?
- Are you nervous or ill-at-ease when speaking in front of people?
- Is your impression of a successful salesperson one of a hand-shaking, smooth talker?
- Do you think you have to be a high-energy extrovert to have the sales success you want?

What if you could go through your day with a focus and comfort on your highest sales priorities that are natural for you?

How good would you feel to no longer have those self-doubts and nagging habits that keep you from your sales goals?

What if there were a way to boost your sales and have more energy than ever at the end of a day?

If you visit my website, you'll find out how to sell with more confidence and more easily.
Read more!

Additional Introvert’s Communiqué in the Workplace

Here are another six thoughts on perceptions of introverts in the workplace:

I don’t always socialize during networking or other social events.
TRUTH I prefer in-depth conversation and find little value in chitchat.

When I start dragging at social events people call me a party pooper.
TRUTH I need time alone to reenergize and recharge.

I come across intense.
TRUTH I’m probably using my strong ability to focus and concentrate.

It seems like I’m a loner or territorial.
TRUTH Time and space to myself is energizing.

You think I don’t like people.
TRUTH I am self-reflective, even around others.

I can be uncomfortable with change.
TRUTH I prefer a thoughtful, creative approach to changes.

There are certainly more than these and the first six posted. What's important to me it seems is that we work toward clearning up this misperceptions. Read more!

How did we give people this impression?

Today I was a guest at a BNI meeting - Business Networking International. My membership expired in my own chapter and I decided not to rejoin for a third year. Suddenly now I am being invited to other chapters as a guest. I must have been getting too comfortable with my own chapter because I either never noticed this or somehow the misperception about introverts continues!

A Mary Kay director asked me, "what kind of work do you do?" I told her I help introverts, shy and reluctant who sell so they can boost their confidence, their prospects and their business. While HER first reaction was, "Wow. How do you do that?" a man standing by put his arm around a friend of his, with his eyes cast down and a monotone voice he quipped, "Oh then please help me." Then he giggled like a school boy.

It may have been a misinterpretation but to me clearly, he was portraying a withdrawn and likely boring person.

Do you get the connection of what I saw?

How do you react to something like that? I'm asking before I tell you how I responded. Read more!

An Introvert’s Communiqué in the Workplace

Here are some top perceptions of introverts in the workplace and the corresponding truth to them:

I don’t always speak immediately in meetings.
TRUTH I usually think before I respond or speak.

Brainstorming or bouncing ideas around aloud does not excite me.
TRUTH I prefer to use analysis and thinking to come up with solutions.

I don’t share personal information easily.
TRUTH I prefer to share private thoughts with friends.

I seem unfriendly or quiet.
TRUTH I communicate best one-to-one and listen easily.

I appear uneasy meeting new people, and making friends.
TRUTH I can be very self-confident in front of an audience.

I prefer to work on my own rather than do group work.
TRUTH I work well with others, especially one-to-one relationships.

“It is actually healthy to be an introvert. The only unhealthy part of it is denying your true self and trying to disguise yourself as an extrovert.” psychologist Linda K. Silverman, 2001 Read more!

FINALLY - the keys to sales success tied to introversion!

There is a short article that cites Keys to Sales Success; introverts will recognize most of them as our natural tendencies! If you are interested in corroborating evidence to my own conclusions, as the article says, "As many as seventy five percent of all top salespeople are defined as introverts on psychological tests."

Maybe we don't want to shy away from a sales profession. Seems like if we excel in sales, we're often pegged incorrectly on some career assessments.

Let me know what you think about the article or your thoughts on introverts success in sales. Read more!

It's an Introvert's Unfair Advantage

Clemson University’s Professional Development for Women invited me for another year of doing a training program. This year it's on April 20th in Seattle Washington.

If you know anyone interested in the following topic, they can register at the Clemson website; follow the links for Professional Development for Women.

The title is:
The Introvert’s Unfair Advantage in Your Workplace That Even Extroverts Want to Know.

If you live there, maybe you know someone who could benefit - introvert or extrovert. Read more!

The one tell tale question about your introversion

Yesterday at a local Starbucks, a client and friend of mine, were talking about how do you easily know whether you tend to be more of an introvert or extrovert?

In conversations with people who seem surprised that I tend more toward introverting, they are often curious about how would they know their preference. As if maybe they are introverted also.

Of course I let them know they take one of the many online Myers Briggs assessments to fully determine this. Still if they can answer the following one question, they have a general sense of their preference.

Here's the question:

In general business networking events, as the event goes on, are you usually more energized or more ready to leave to head on to a quieter venue?

How would you answer this?

If you thought or said, I've got my coat on and am heading toward the door... you are more than likely more introverted.

What's great about being who I am, for me, I don't get all caught up in having to meet as many people as possible. I network with a specific intention, usually to meet 2 to 3 new people, and then I am quite content to say my goodbyes.

How about you? What do you tend toward the longer a business networking event goes on?
Read more!

Introversion and Extroversion Basics

People relate introvert with words like shy and withdrawn, which can actually be the situation. More on that in another discussion. They also equate introvert with inept at speaking.

Come on.

Please know from now on that introverts are probably some of the most eloquent speakers. And why? Because, we have actually planned what we want to say so many times in our head that by the time the words reach our mouths, it sounds incredibly brilliant.

The difference is, once a speaking program is complete for an introvert, energy is at low levels. We have to find OUR way to recharge.

Here's what this means.

An extrovert can go right on speaking, head to a networking event, make their way to another event of any kind.

But an introvert, when they complete speaking in front of an audience, we best recharge by some activity with solitude.

Which turns out isn't all that bad.

Is this more clarifying for you? Read more!

More misconception about introvert and extrovert differences!

When you find yourself in sales as an introvert, it's just not something you publicize. Why would you when, 80% to 90% of the population, at least in the USA are extroverted!

What's a tell tale difference between us? Well, next time you are at a networking event, look and listen to who is talking about themselves most of the time. That's one sign.

I've also recently discovered another sign. It happens when there is an opportunity to claim, "Yes, I enjoy sales even with my introversion tendencies." And then, the extrovert wants to deny you the claim!

For people who might know me or meet me the first time, they think because I have command of the English language, can articulate myself clearly and appear confident that, "No! You must be extroverted!"

I find so much confusion about these distinctions so, I'm hoping you'll join me on my mission to change this.

Have you found the same type of misconceptions? Read more!

New report for introverts who sell!

If you go to http://www.prostrategies.com/introverts/index.php, you will find a free report which is the foundation of my upcoming ecourse and coaching program, "6 Truths for Introverts Who Sell: What We Don't Need to Learn the Hard Way!"

Several people inspired me to create this. One is a small business owner I met online Meghan Wier. You can find her book in pdf format at iuniverse.com - Confessions of an Introvert. After I contacted her, she pointed me to this website of pdf digital version books and I purchased a copy of her book. You'll find some good overall advice - and life stories you can relate to as an introvert. Read more!

If you can relate to this, you belong here!

As much time as I was taking to think and talk this through, some people might think I was procrastinating. Well, okay, maybe there was a smidge of that. The main thing is I'm finally here. And if you have more than 50% of introversion tendencies, you have a deeper understanding of what I mean by this.

Thanks for stopping by.

I'm exhausted right now. This was a big step in my business. Do you know what I mean?
Read more!