Around every boardroom table you will meet a wide range of different personality types. You will meet the loud, over-bearing types, you will meet the quiet types who like to listen before they speak, and you will meet the shy types, the ones who find it hard to speak up.
A shy employee is a very valuable employee, because he or she is able to observe and absorb everything that is going on. What you need to do is help them to overcome their shyness. Of course, if you’re the shy person yourself, there are many self-help ways you use, to put you on the fast track to effective collaboration around the conference table.
- Fake it until you make it – sometimes faking your own confidence brings it to life
- Write down your ideas before you enter the room
- Choose a quiet moment to speak, don’t try and speak above the noise
- Take a breath before you speak and allow yourself to be calm
- Own your shyness – if your voice wobbles, so what? You’re being brave and speaking out and that’s the most important thing
- The more you do it, the easier it will become
Overcoming shyness is like flexing a muscle at the gym – the more you do it, the stronger the instinct becomes. The next time you’re sat around the boardroom table and chairs, just try it; take a breath, and contribute your ideas. Your ideas deserve to be heard!
Do you have any handy hints and tips for overcoming shyness in the collaborative setting?