Do You Have an Introverted Preference? Your Guide to Recognition Superstardom!
By Sarah McVanel, Chief Recognition Officer, Greatness Magnified
“How do you recognize others when you’re introverted?”
This was a great question left in the chat of a recent virtual keynote. And not an uncommon one!
First, a note on introversion versus extroversion. It’s all about where you get your energy. It’s not “extroverts are people-people, and introverts aren’t.” Nope. It’s that those with an extroverted preference walk around the world gobbling energy through interactions with others like Pac-Man. For folks with an introverted preference, too little processing time and too much group time, particularly small talk with “a bunch of randoms” (an expression my kids will probably cringe at as it’s no doubt out of vogue) is an energy-zapper like those ghosts that are Pac-Man’s demise.
Before moving on, notice I didn’t say “Extroverts” and “Introverts”. You’re not one or the other like one-dimensional beings (or characters in an arcade game). We are on a continuum of where we get our energy, with introversion on one extreme and extroversion on the other end.
So, back to the original question, or at least a version of it: How do you keep your energy up and does recognition zap it?
The short answer at each end of the energy continuum:
- Introverted preference – the more you know your folks and can give that recognition one-on-one, recognition can actually fuel your energy
- Extroverted preference – the more you can spread recognition around and feel the buzz it creates, the more it will fuel your energy.
Now that is the overly simplified answer. I make it to establish this truth: Your energy preference does not make you good or bad at recognition. There will be some contexts where you’ll find it easier and more rewarding than others.
Let’s dive a little deeper.
Introversion and Recognition: Let Me Tell You About My Hub…
Might be surprised to know, if you watch our antics on my IG page, that my husband leans toward the introverted preference side of the energy continuum. He’s super friendly, easy to get to know, and always quick with a joke (often of the dad joke variety…”A for effort” darling). Many people assume he’s on the extroversion side of the continuum. However, let me tell you, after standing in front of a room full of teens teaching business, he needs his drive home by himself to recharge. The trifecta of exhaustion would be to spend his spare with new kids covering for teachers in an “on call”, attend a staff meeting, and then attend a work social. Let’s just say he sleeps hard on nights like that. His happy place: on his excavator in our backyard listening to music, stopping long enough to have meals with the people he lives with and loves most.
Not everything meets the eye. Energy can be masked by effort.
He knows as a teacher, though, he needs to positively reinforce in his classroom so students can learn, and be a listening ear for his fellow teachers. He recognizes in small and big ways all day long. He’s really great at recognition. (He’s so tuned into it…one guess why…that when he doesn’t get it, it depletes his energy and motivation more so than any effort he has to expend.)
So we’ve established that we all can give recognition, regardless of energy preference. So how do you, my introversion preference peeps, do so without depleting your tank? Here are some ideas.
1. Schedule It
When do you feel most energized? If you have a recognition practice (such as writing thank you cards), do it before you’ve expended all your energy for the day.
2. Team Meetings
Build recognition into the first minute or two of team meetings so that it becomes a regular part of it. Encourage others to kick it off so it’s not all down to you.
3. One-on-One
Your energy is highest one-on-one so lean into recognition in this form. Frankly, you can’t go wrong – you don’t embarrass the folks who are too shy to receive it publicly, plus who doesn’t like to have a personalized kudos from someone directly?
4. Keep a Record
Some folks tell me after a keynote that they remember what to appreciate about someone by making a note of it when they see it (in a notes app, in their work journal, etc.). It dials down the pressure to come up with something on the spot.
5. Resource Gossip
Say nice things about someone behind their back, and let the good gossip train carry it to that person.
6. Peer-to-Peer
Encourage recognition to be everyone’s job. Create an MS Team’s kudos thread, turn a physical bulletin board into a team recognition space, and pass on grateful client/patient cards for others to read. Enable spaces – passive and active – that encourage everyone to F.R.O.G. -Forever Recognize Others’ Greatness ™.
No Limiting Beliefs
When we see why we cannot do something, our solution-curious brains don’t have a job to do. When we say, “hum…how might I”, it allows you to noodle (my British mom’s word for ponder) on how something might be possible.
Everyone needs to know they matter to someone else. Your closest colleagues, peers, and direct reports need to know they matter to you. Don’t let your energy preference be a barrier to connection. Let it be a tool for insight to help fuel the best way for you to be successful and more satisfied in recognizing others.
Curious about how to keep fuelling recognition habits? Here is a program that might help.
FROG on friends!
We have lots more yummy ideas on how to fuel recognition:
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Want to Create a Shareable Recognition Experience that Boomerangs Compliments for Your Team?
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How One Company Rocks In-Person, Hybrid & Virtual Recognition
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Want to recognize your team? 5 Tips for creating your own FROG Board!
Re: Do You Have an Introverted Preference? Your Guide to Recognition Superstardom!
It is an excellent question. I can definitely relate. As a child and into my early thirties I was very much an introvert, unable to have conversations with strangers and women. Thanks to a trainer I had to pick up at the airport, he explained that shyness was derived from having attention to yourself, that is, worried about “impressing” rather than “expressing.” I understood what he was talking about. When we were riding the elevator to our destination, he started talking to me in a rather loud voice, “Have you ever noticed how people in the elevator look at either the floor numbers or the floor?” “Nobody talks on elevators.” Then he started engaging people on the elevator and had several of them talking before we got off on our floor. That taught me something. I was determined to leave my comfort zone and talk to people. Nowadays, I talk to just about anyone. I say hello to people in the hallways, I make comments to people in the gym and even commented on a saying a person had on his t-shirt. My biggest takeaway was the importance of connecting with fellow human beings. It caused me to be part of a greater community than just me. It changed my outlook from obligation to serving to being of service. To share my knowledge with others. These are all things that are open to introverted people. The scariest part is to move out of one’s comfort zone.