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<\/div>\n?Research indicates that one-third to one-half of people identify as introverts\u2014which generally means they draw their energy from being alone rather than in a group. That can be a challenge when you\u2019re looking to advance your career in a profession focused on meeting the workplace needs of others, particularly if you\u2019re the only person in your organization who handles HR. <\/p>\n
I asked HR professionals from around the country who identified as introverts\u2014many of whom were solo practitioners\u2014to share their advice for excelling in their HR careers. Here are their tips: <\/p>\n<\/div>\n
1. Prepare and practice. <\/p>\n
Introverts generally like to think things through before they speak. For that reason, practicing before a big meeting or interview can be a great tool for ensuring that you have the right words ready at the right time. <\/p>\n
\u201cTo manage my career in HR as an introvert, I found that investing the time to do my homework and thoroughly prepare for internal meetings, one-on-one meetings with employees, civic events and presentations pays off,\u201d says Gretchen Woods, HR manager at The Wenatchee World, a newspaper company in Wenatchee, Wash.<\/p>\n
2. Enlist allies. <\/p>\n
Briefing colleagues on what you want to say prior to key events is also helpful. \u201cWhen I have an idea, suggestion or solution to share in a meeting, I will find allies both on the staff and in management beforehand,\u201d says Woods, who serves as the solo HR practitioner in an organization of roughly 100 people. \u201cThat way, they help me amplify my message if I don\u2019t speak up quickly enough.\u201d<\/p>\n
3. Follow up later. <\/p>\n
Even with the benefits of planning and allies, it\u2019s not uncommon for introverts to realize that they didn\u2019t share everything they wanted to say at a meeting or event\u2014or to think of new ideas or feedback after they\u2019ve had more time to reflect. <\/p>\n
In those instances, it\u2019s important to remember that it\u2019s never too late to let your voice be heard. \u201cIf I feel awkward [at a meeting] and don\u2019t speak up but have an idea or solution to share, I handle it later that day,\u201d says Eileen Gabaldon, SHRM-CP, an HR manager for law firm Harris, Finley & Bogle P.C. in Fort Worth, Texas. \u201cI\u2019ll approach the person and say, \u2018After the meeting, I thought of this option\/solution\u2019 and lay out my plan in a one-to-one conversation. That way, I make my contribution and manage my introverted side.\u201d<\/p>\n
4. Be forthcoming. <\/p>\n
Some people find that being upfront about their introverted nature can take some pressure off them and ease others\u2019 expectations for them to immediately engage. That\u2019s a strategy that Julie Worden, an HR department of one and self-described \u201chardcore introvert,\u201d uses often when navigating new situations\u2014like when she first became the finance and office manager for K Strategies Group, a Dallas-based public relations firm with 12 employees. <\/p>\n
\u201cI soon realized that, in order to do my HR job well, I needed to get to know people well,\u201d she says. She found that to be especially true when she was working with other reserved people. That\u2019s one reason it can be helpful for introverts to share insights into themselves\u2014it encourages others to open up about who they are as well. \u201cFortunately, I found my tribe so I have a supportive network at work,\u201d Worden says.<\/p>\n
5. Connect with peers. <\/p>\n
To enhance her career, Worden knew she needed to have a presence in the profession. She joined her local Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) chapter and founded its department of one group, which is flourishing. <\/p>\n