8 Tips to Help Introverts Thrive at Work

Introversion is more common than most people think, researchers have found. Introverts are everywhere, even in people-focused careers like financial planning. Jeremy Walter, a certified financial planner and the founder of Fident Financial, jokes that he's a fake extrovert. "I realized long ago (like back in school) that if I wanted to be heard, I had to speak," he said in a Twitter message. "Which sounds stupidly simple — but it's true. And so I can internally gear myself up to be outspoken, whether that's in small meetings or larger gatherings. It doesn't come naturally." While the gift of gab has its place, introverted advisors pride themselves on their other people skills — for example, they can empathize with the quieter member of a client couple and make sure their input is included in the financial plan. Not all introverts are shy, but they tend to be drained by interacting with people and need alone time to recharge. How does one build a business and attract clients while finding the process draining? "I think in today's world, being authentic and vulnerable is more important than portraying the image of the classic extroverted 'salesman," Daniel Tripp, a CFP and founder of Thirty Mile Financial, said on LinkedIn. "I have to trust I'll attract clients who are looking for authenticity and a qualified financial advisor capable of helping them organize and manage their financial lives." In the ALM Young Professionals Network, our LinkedIn group focused on career development, we discussed introversion at work — overcoming shyness, getting heard at work, what extroverts can do and how being introverted can be an asset. Check out the gallery above for highlights of the conversation. --- Check out The Advisor-Client Relationship: The Forces You Can't See on ThinkAdvisor.