Did you happen to watch the new Celebrity Apprentice on Sunday? You know, I'm such a fan of that show. I don't know what it is, but the whole thing (celebs, charity, business-related tasks) is intriguing to me. It's also rough when you're the first one fired, as Cheryl Tiegs was on Sunday. I really felt for Tiegs, because it seemed like she was really an introvert trying to compete with some extremely extroverted individuals. She admitted that she wondered if this was the right place for her, and I got what she meant by that.
At a few of my corporate jobs, I felt as if I was constantly being talked over. When I would be asked something, I'd take a moment to compose my thoughts, and before I could even get them out I'd be talked over. People probably thought I didn't have anything to say or that I was stupid. Who knows. But when I watch Celebrity Apprentice, those boardroom scenes are really difficult. I know I would totally rock the tasks but I'll admit in the boardroom I'd still have a hard time defending myself. I think that's the case sometimes with introverts, and I got the impression that Tiegs was definitely one.
Now, that isn't to say that you can't compete, but I think it's hard. While many of us won't have to sit in Donald Trump's boardroom like those on Celebrity Apprentice, some of us will have to deal with situations where we need to defend ourselves. As introverts, we need to figure out how to deal with situations that are not as dramatic as the boardroom (thank goodness!) but still stressful because of the amount of energy that it takes to interrupt, speak up, and be heard. I've seen some introverts completely give up, and that can't happen either. I think there are ways to excel in an extroverted world, but you have to know how to communicate in order to be heard during those key times when it matters.
Believe it or not, this happens a lot in friendship as well. Most of the world is extroverted, so if you're going to get along and make friends with people, you're going to have to show your personality in that world. It might not feel comfortable, but once you make friends, people will get to know you and accept your natural tendency for solitude. They'll accept you for who you are, but you have to allow them the opportunity to see who you are first, and in order to do that you might have to communicate in a way that isn't comfortable for you.
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