The Introvert's Guide to the Workplace: Concrete Strategies for Bosses and Employees to Thrive and Succeed

by Thea Orozco

Tap Into Your Natural Introvert Strengths in the Office with Actionable Tips and Advice
 
Introverts make up a third of the population, and we’re hardwired to thrive—especially in the workplace! However, it’s not uncommon for introverts to feel out of place in the office, where it seems the only ones succeeding are outgoing personalities ready to toot their own horn.  
 
Thea Orozco busts that myth, showing how the workplace is truly a setting for introverts to succeed based on their innate skillset and natural introvert strengths. With topics ranging from overcoming phone phobia to developing an authentic leadership style, The Introvert's Guide to the Workplace guides introverts through thriving at work without having to shout—whether you are a boss, an employee, or a career person. Learn from actionable tips and practical advice, and surmount office challenges and let your introversion take the lead:
 
Combat interview anxiety and negotiate your salary
Make meaningful connections at networking events
Be heard and noticed at meetings or on the stage
Navigate difficult social situations
Become an effective leader with your introvert strengths
And more!
 
Including diverse expert interviews, The Introvert's Guide to the Workplace is every working introvert’s handbook and guide that they can refer to throughout their career for guidance on tricky or draining situations and motivation to enlist the power of their inner introvert to succeed.
 

Genres: Nonfiction, Business, Self Help

272 pages, Paperback

Published April 14, 2020

Reviews

[Latoya · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was recommended by a co-worker during the self-assessment cycle at work. It was very beneficial. I am an introvert. I'm what's considered a shy introvert. This book helped me to understand some of the things I do and why. It offered useful tips I can incorporate into my work life as well as my personal life including my work in the community. It also offered tips for managers of introverts. I plan to share some with my managers when they ask how they can help me be successful. Usually I don't have an answer...now I do.

[Rickie Franklin · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you are graduating college and are looking for a manual to help you as a guide to the workplace then this is the book for you. "The first step toward a fulfilling career and life is finding out what success and thriving mean to you."

The book is a slow read, with many quotes from other books, and some chapters you may feel the need to skip over. "Seth Godin refers to the decisions we made in the past as sunk costs, a business term that refers to money that was spent and that can no longer be recovered. Just because you put time or effort or money into something doesn’t mean it needs to still affect your decisions."

The author does to some things very well, they include links to previous chapters in the book, however that link only goes to the first page of that chapter. They also include interviews from other people, but that formatting was messed up for me (not taking up the entire width). There are also a number of spots where the author encourages you to stop and complete a task, with at least one of them containing a table, which doesn't do well on a e-reader.

Even as someone who has been in the workplace for many years, there were chapters that were very helpful and some I completely skipped over as they weren't relevant to me.

"We also use cultural autofills—shortcuts—to help us decide if certain behaviors are considered “normal,” and therefore accepted and praised, in our society."

"One way to counteract imposter syndrome is to keep what’s called a Smile File. A Smile File is a physical or digital file that contains external validation of your accomplishments and strengths."

"When you let go of trying to fit the extrovert bias that speaking is king, let go of an education system that stamped out curiosity, and let your natural state of listening and openness take over, you’ll find the right balance between listening and speaking."

"It may seem annoying to have to make small talk with our coworkers, but it’s like brushing your teeth: while you probably don’t love doing it, it’s worth the effort in the long run—and it’s easy to turn into a habit."

"For instance, if you’ll just be going to the event because your boss expects you to, then make sure your boss sees you—then leave half an hour hour later."

[Evgeny Alekseev · Rating 3 out of 5]

On the one had the author summarised many interesting cases about introverts daily-life and challenges that they have. Different and interesting "small interviews" with different people make the book more dynamic.
However the book is full of repetitions. Probably, it might help reader not to switch their context, go back to find the definition of the acronym. Again and again I read the same definitions, the same examples and situations. There is a great idea: footnotes. If it is required to remind what acronym means, it would be easier to make a footnote. Probably, the modern editors demand extra pages even if they do not contain new information.

[Xzs · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book helps to reframe the societal stigma assigned to introverts. As an introvert, I appreciated the theme. The explanations of energy draining circumstances are on point. I expected to find more helpful tips and tricks to incorporate into my daily life. So I was a bit disappointed that there was no “easy fix” given for life’s energy drains. Although I have been experimenting with reframing my public speaking as “exciting” opportunities rather than nerve filled episodes of sheer dread. Thus far, I’ve had mixed success with the results. Of course, it’s unrealistic for anyone to expect a silver bullet solution for the challenges life throws at an introvert!

[K Paul · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked the premise of this book and how the author expanded the topics well beyond the workplace. In addition she provides tips to managers to create a better work environment for introverted employees. My key reason for reading this book was the section on networking, and it didn’t disappoint. I think anyone would benefit from this chapter. The only reason I didn’t give 5 stars was it took me a bit to really sit down and focus on it, perhaps because I wanted to jump ahead to the specific chapters I was mostly interested in.

[Ame · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've loved this book. It has kept me company during a very deep and challenging change in my life: my first full time experience at a company. Every morning, Thea helped me reframe my fatalistic thoughts about my introvert self. Commuting time was smoother thanks to her. I've taken plenty of notes about the strategies she suggests, and have done practically all the exercises she shared with us. In a nutshell: great book for insecure introverts who are yet to accept and appreciate their natural strengths.

[Hannah ZR · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 honestly since some stuff is repetitive, especially about networking. Lol, that's a far off concept after the pandemic hit so don't hold your breath about meeting new people during a networking event. Lots of helpful advice, tips, confirmation and explanations that made me feel validated for the first time since... Ever! It's ok to need alone time to recharge your batteries and say no to lunch with a co-worker, you're not a jerk just not an extrovert.

[Rob Sedgwick · Rating 4 out of 5]

Never too late

Some good stuff in here. I have been working for 30 years and never really thought about what I should be doing in the work environment other than the job I am paid to do. There are lots of things in it not relevant to my type of job but still plenty of ideas to take forward.As Thea says: it is never too late.

[Tatyana · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really really enjoyed reading this book. It was so interesting and very very informative. I learned a lot while reading this book. I also believe that after reading this book, I now know how I can be able to thrive and succeed in the workplace. I highly recommend every introvert should read this book.

[Karen Murnane · Rating 2 out of 5]

Fiona (pages 47 and 48) made me stop reading. Whiney enititled baby. This book is trying to be helpful but still cow tows to extroverts.

[Nicole · Rating 2 out of 5]

I found points repetitive and advice not too ground breaking.

[Stephanie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Maybe it will help some people, but I am not one of them.