How to Support a Shy Colleague

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I think one thing that's really important is not to encourage them to be bolder. The idea isn't to just conform better to the stereotype. I think it's even okay to say, hey, look, I'm having this reaction now and I'm so consumed by this reaction. So can we just go really slow with this or can we like figure out what the bullet points here? Because my brain is a little bit knocked off.

We all have preconceived notions about which personality types are fit to be in positions of power. And as a result, a lot of incompetent men become leaders because of the confidence they give off. But being self-assured doesn’t make you good at the job. Imagine if there were more reserved but truly competent women in leadership? So what if your boss blushes easily, as long as she’s emotionally intelligent and inspires her team?

One woman’s struggle with shyness prompts us to explore the seeming conflict between being shy and being a leader. With the help of an expert, we examine the professional advantages of certain personality traits related to shyness — like sensitivity and thoughtfulness — and discuss strategies to overcome the aspects of them that may hold you back at work.

Guest:

Alice Boyes is a former clinical psychologist turned writer and is author of The Healthy Mind Toolkit and The Anxiety Toolkit.

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