Introverts are gaining more appreciation in recent years but they may still be misunderstood and undervalued, especially in the workplace. Yet, in their quiet way they’re probably making meaningful efforts which aid in their own success, that of the company, and even of their coworkers.

If you’re an Introvert who doesn’t feel appreciated for the quieter contributions you make, you’ll likely feel validated by the points below. And if you’re an Extravert who thinks your introverted coworker isn’t doing their share, you may start to see them differently – even if you don’t always know what’s going on in their solitary cubicle! 

Here are 10 ways that Introverts are quietly making a big impact in the workplace. 

1. They know that listening is powerful

While many Introverts are so quiet they may not be noticed, they’re actually doing a lot in their anonymous way. One of these things is careful listening.

Listening is more powerful than it seems, for a number of reasons. Perhaps most importantly, by listening more than they talk, Introverts take in useful information – about the task at hand, the big picture, and even about their co-workers. They make good use of all of this information to do a better job, generate high-quality ideas, and improve their understanding of the people they’re working with and how to get the best from them.

This last part is even more important if they are managing others, or want to show that they’re capable of doing so. 

2. They think before they speak

If you pause to gather your thoughts before speaking up, you're more likely to avoid saying the wrong thing, which might offend others or make you look ignorant. You’ll also avoid repeating what others have said, and you’ll have something well-developed to contribute to the conversation. 

Introverts may seem to have less to say than their extraverted peers. But pay attention when they do speak, and you’ll likely realize they were making good use of their silence before they made themselves heard. To them, the point is not to make noise, but to say something worth saying, at the right time.

3. They keep their heads down

Introverts are less likely to be tempted to look away from their work and chat every time a coworker passes by or otherwise get distracted by socializing, so they’re able to sustain their concentration. This helps them get more done and perhaps do higher quality work. 

They also tend to avoid office politics and gossip, which saves them from wasting time and energy, and helps keep rather than disrupt harmony with their fellow workers.

4. They work well on their own

Well, obviously – they’re Introverts. But the ability to work solo can be incredibly powerful. Introverts don’t need to wait around to hear from everyone else before they get down to the task at hand. And they don’t need to feed off others all the time for energy and motivation.

They can be happy and productive in their own workspace in the office, in their work-at-home space, or wherever they happen to be. While they may not be as noticeable, and certainly aren’t the squeaky wheel that gets attention, they can impress others when they reveal what they’ve done while nobody else was noticing.

5. They create one-on one partnerships 

While Introverts are especially good at working alone, they can also work well with others, especially one at a time. Instead of trying to be everything to everyone, they may find one or two people they work well with and use those relationships to do more and better work together or in tandem. 

Not only do these partnerships help them, they help others as well, often so discreetly it isn’t obvious what they’re doing. Knowing who to turn to when you need help, and also being that person for someone else can be an important factors in success at work.

6. They step back and observe

When there’s a meeting or other group activity, Extraverts tend to either be at the front holding court, or right in the middle of things. On the other hand, the successful Introverts in the room will instead step back a bit and take it all in. This gives them an advantage in being able to observe objectively without wasting energy engaging in the fray.

That observation allows them to gain information, understand individual personalities and group dynamics, and draw insights that help them know what the next best steps are likely to be and how to mitigate any possible problems.

A bit of distance can be both a protection and an asset. It gives Introverts a different perspective that can be just what is needed at times. 

7. They notice things

Another benefit of all that listening, observation and gentle distance is that an Introvert will pick up on subtle cues that others miss. This could be a crucial bit of data, a potential personality clash, or other information. Noticing the details that others miss can give them an advantage in meeting goals, helping others reach their potential, or achieving better results.

8. They don’t need a lot of external feedback

Introverts tend to be self-motivated, so they don’t need someone standing over them to give them guidance. For the most part, they don’t rely on others for direction, motivation or praise. 

When they are around others, Introverts save everyone’s time by only weighing in when there’s a reason for it, instead of extending the discussion just to hear themselves talk. They rarely seek admiration or unnecessary approval, which can be a source of unnecessary workplace drama.

9. They go deep

Introverts tend to do more research, follow a thought trail further, and generally prefer substance over appearance. All that time alone helps them read, think, generate ideas and put all the pieces together into insightful and useful conclusions.

Introverts also develop deep relationships, so they can inspire the best from others by digging under the surface and getting to know them well.

10. They put it in writing

Introverts tend to be more comfortable with writing than with speaking, and this skill can serve them in several ways.

By developing their thoughts in writing before giving their input, they’re able to think through and refine their ideas so they don’t have to speak off the top of their head when they may not express their opinions as well. This helps keep meetings, brainstorming sessions and action plans on track. And, since some form of writing is necessary in many kinds of work, even if it’s not directly in their job description, they’ll likely be appreciated for being willing to offer their skills in this way.

Diane Fanucchi
Diane Fanucchi is a freelance writer and Smart-Blogger certified content marketing writer. She lives on California’s central coast in a purple apartment. She reads, writes, walks, and eats dark chocolate whenever she can. A true INFP, she spends more time thinking about the way things should be than what others call the “real” world. You can visit her at www.dianefanucchi.naiwe.com or https://writer.me/diane-fanucchi/.