As humans, we have an innate desire to fit in, feel accepted and seek a sense of belongingness wherever we go. Before the Fellowship, I hadn’t pegged myself for someone with such a strong penchant for community but living in an unfamiliar environment pushed me to look inward, get comfortable with feeling out of my element and seek connection more than ever before. The journey exposed me to diverse societal and work cultures that were starkly different from what I was accustomed to. Finding my place in these new environments, especially as an introvert, was both challenging and enlightening.
Upon joining my host organization, for example, one of the first things that struck me was the stark contrast in communication styles. Since all I’d known before this were fast-paced work environments where formal communication (mostly over email) would override all other kinds, the sudden shift to relying mostly on face-to-face interactions felt unfamiliar and somewhat disorienting at first. I soon realized that personal relationships were at the heart of work dynamics in my new workplace. It was as though the essence of the broader social culture seamlessly intertwined with the way people approached their work. So much so that towards the end of my time there, I’d actually got quite used to my colleagues affectionately scolding me about my modest appetite. As an introvert, it didn’t surprise me that building these connections, fostering relationships and adjusting to a relationship-first work environment took me a while.
Moreover, the nature of my Fellowship project was such that it required me to work largely independently. While I appreciated the autonomy, it was challenging to balance my introverted tendencies with the desire to connect and collaborate with others, something I was used to and valued in my previous workplaces.
Looking back, a few strategies helped me adapt and thrive while I navigated different work cultures.
Prioritizing meaningful connections: The allure of excelling in every social interaction can be hard to resist but it also often left me drained of energy. Over time, I started focusing on cultivating deep and meaningful connections with a few individuals instead. These authentic relationships not only provided me with much-needed support at work but often also extended beyond the workplace.
Understanding that it’s okay to not be “on” at all times: In a predominantly extroverted world, it’s easy to succumb to the pressure of constantly engaging and being outgoing. However, recognizing my need for spending time alone and allowing myself moments of downtime helped ensure that when I did engage with my colleagues and other stakeholders, I was able to bring my best self to those conversations.
Embracing your introvert superpowers: I began recognizing my ability to engage meaningfully in one-on-one conversations, listen attentively, and reflect on matters independently as some of my “introvert superpowers” that made me dependable. The fact that I could immerse myself in work for extended periods and let the quality of my work speak for itself also added credibility to my contributions. For some of us, it can be easier to connect with stakeholders and colleagues over work and common objectives before anything else. And that’s okay too.
In our capacity as Fellows, we’re bound to encounter unique dynamics of collaboration, communication styles, and work paces, which can make “fitting in” feel especially challenging. While I realized establishing connections and maintaining a sense of belonging were important to me, it was also daunting as an introvert in an extroverted culture. Around a month into my Fellowship, though, I was able to take a step back and recognize that the energy and fulfillment I felt was often a direct function of two key factors a) the quality of my interactions with colleagues and stakeholders and b) the meaning I derived from my work. So, I leaned into fulfilling these two factors in ways that worked for me. As we navigate different work cultures and environments, it’s essential to recognize that we cannot control every aspect of our surroundings and that’s also what helps us grow. Seeking fulfillment is a perpetual endeavor of identifying the key factors that lead to our satisfaction and leveraging them while remaining true to ourselves.
