When the pandemic forced most of us into remote work situations, I was initially ecstatic as an introvert. The lockdown was it; an opportunity to be a genuinely remote worker without the added pressure of showing up on-grounds and into forced work and social interactions. That feeling lasted for about six months, and then I noticed something. I wasn’t making the professional connections my previous arrangement had offered me. It wasn’t FOMO exactly; it was more a feeling of missing meaningful relationships with professional colleagues. What is this feeling?

For introverts, working with multi-personalities is difficult. While the culture may be just optimal, the notion of interacting with others is a drain on the introvert’s psyche. Introverts don’t work well in groups.

They’re more likely to tackle projects alone and less likely to go to mentors or leaders for help. Oneness isn’t a character flaw; introverts are statistically deep thinkers and use time as a resource for producing high-quality work. But introverts are not extreme personalities. Most of us recognize the need to connect with peers; we just lack the inclination. But how then can we may real connections that help our careers? The following are a few tips to help you connect with others (even extroverts) while staying true to yourself.

The Introduction

Whether you’re new at the company, exploring a new role for a possible promotion, or just joining a team, formally introduce yourself. You might say, “Hey, I’ve been working here for a year. Why do I have to introduce myself?” The answer lies in your personality. No one knows you. How many members of the leadership team are aware of your ambitions? How many are aware of your ideas? You don’t have to interrupt leaders and team members during meetings, but send an email or set up a call. Make your mark on your organization.

The appreciative team member

When you work remotely, it’s hard to show appreciation for co-workers, but you can do it. When a team member or other work colleague accomplishes something for the organization, recognizing it — sending a friendly email offers a soft avenue into building a professional relationship with others emerging in the company as leaders. Remote workers also have more opportunities to have face time with leadership.            

If your whole team has regular meetings, take the opportunity before one of those meetings to ask a leader for a few minutes of their time once the session ends. When granted that time, be sure and let the leader know how much you like working for the company. If you have a good chat, send a follow-up email to thank them for taking the time. Fostering an ongoing mentoring relationship can find its foundations in a simple, “Thank you.” Talking to leaders can seem scary to introverts, but the rewards can often outweigh the risked anxiety.

Networking for center

Networking-for-center is an ideal exercise for the introverted professional. Whether working remotely or not, update your social media profiles. You have to build your network. It is easier for an introvert to reach out in a way that doesn’t require heavy social interaction. Follow people who you admire. Follow industry leaders on Twitter and Clubhouse. Show up for their chats and talks. These platforms allow you an opportunity to ask questions directly to the person with whom you’re trying to connect. You can even share a stage with leaders on the clubhouse app without having to be so public about it. That is to say, it’s less emotionally draining, which can be a challenge for introverts.

Be Brave

Last, be a little braver. Attend that office Zoom happy hour or the HIT Like A Girl Pod, “Martini Monday”. I hear they’re pretty inclusive. Stepping out of your comfort zone, if only temporarily, can be rather stimulating. You can make a special connection by connecting with industry leaders and peers outside of the formality of an office setting in a way that’s safe and fun.

If you try any of these tips, I’d love to hear about them. DM me. I’m on Twitter at @Shereesemaymba