Here are some steps that will support you to come out of your shell within the workplace:
- Try and determine what is making you shy
- Ask questions- takes the pressure of yourself and shows that you are genuinely interested in finding out about your colleagues. For example in a meeting ask for an opinion, clarification or next steps.
- Once you’ve started to learn more about your colleagues try and find common ground with them this helps to facilitate conversations, reduce nerves and be more approachable.
- After work activities- attend outside of work gatherings and team building activities as this can help you feel less intimidated by colleagues, breaks the ice and encourages you to get involved.
- Give it time- feeling shy when first starting a new job is completely normal, it will take time to get settled and feel comfortable in your new work surroundings.
- Be yourself- allow your personality, skills and qualities to show as they are often why you were chosen to be a part of the team.
- Organise smaller huddle meetings as these can be more productive and you are more likely to contribute to smaller group discussions.
- Share someone else’s achievements rather than focusing on your own to make the conversations feel less awkward for you
- Buddy up and share feedback alongside someone else on your team, this can help you to gradually speak up more independently.
- Set intentions and goals for meetings for example introducing yourself, asking a question or greeting people, if you achieve your intended goal reward yourself for it.
- Leverage your listening skills as a strength, carefully consider what others say then try and summarise or bring a fresh perspective to the discussion.
- Follow up with an email to show that you have taken all the information in and have given the matter extra time and thought.
More resources:
https://icould.com/stories/6-ways-to-overcome-shyness-in-a-new-job/
https://www.refinery29.com/en-gb/shy-and-mighty-book-nadia-finer
