Comments on: Confessions of a Corporate Wallflower http://www.aspire-cs.com/confessions-of-a-corporate-wallflower Thu, 09 Feb 2012 18:03:14 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Dan B http://www.aspire-cs.com/confessions-of-a-corporate-wallflower/comment-page-1#comment-828 Dan B Tue, 23 Feb 2010 14:11:04 +0000 http://www.aspire-cs.com/?p=858#comment-828 Rick & all the other introverts out there ... Recently, I was given “The Introvert Advantage” by Marti Olsen Laney. I have only started reading the book, but so far it has been an eye opener for me. I would recommend it to anyone, but especially other introverts. http://www.amazon.com/Introvert-Advantage-Thrive-Extrovert-World/dp/0761123695 Rick & all the other introverts out there …

Recently, I was given “The Introvert Advantage” by Marti Olsen Laney. I have only started reading the book, but so far it has been an eye opener for me. I would recommend it to anyone, but especially other introverts.

http://www.amazon.com/Introvert-Advantage-Thrive-Extrovert-World/dp/0761123695

]]> By: Mary Jo Asmus http://www.aspire-cs.com/confessions-of-a-corporate-wallflower/comment-page-1#comment-748 Mary Jo Asmus Mon, 01 Feb 2010 17:40:09 +0000 http://www.aspire-cs.com/?p=858#comment-748 Samson, You are who you are. Please respect that. Samson,

You are who you are. Please respect that.

]]> By: Samson Malchi http://www.aspire-cs.com/confessions-of-a-corporate-wallflower/comment-page-1#comment-747 Samson Malchi Mon, 01 Feb 2010 17:35:36 +0000 http://www.aspire-cs.com/?p=858#comment-747 Rick, Mary Jo, Even I thought that being an Introvert is a big disadvantage but Rick's experience is really enriching. But my concern is will I be myself if I copy an introvert leader or is it better to learn from his experiences. Thanks, Samson Rick, Mary Jo,

Even I thought that being an Introvert is a big disadvantage but Rick’s experience is really enriching. But my concern is will I be myself if I copy an introvert leader or is it better to learn from his experiences.

Thanks,
Samson

]]> By: Mary Jo Asmus http://www.aspire-cs.com/confessions-of-a-corporate-wallflower/comment-page-1#comment-746 Mary Jo Asmus Fri, 29 Jan 2010 00:23:15 +0000 http://www.aspire-cs.com/?p=858#comment-746 Lisa, thanks for stopping back and adding that piece of wisdom. Stephanie, I'm glad you could relate. We are an extraverted nation in the U.S.; about 60% of the population are extraverts - which can make it very tough on introverts! Thanks. Lisa, thanks for stopping back and adding that piece of wisdom.

Stephanie, I’m glad you could relate. We are an extraverted nation in the U.S.; about 60% of the population are extraverts – which can make it very tough on introverts! Thanks.

]]> By: Stephanie Cowan http://www.aspire-cs.com/confessions-of-a-corporate-wallflower/comment-page-1#comment-745 Stephanie Cowan Thu, 28 Jan 2010 16:37:06 +0000 http://www.aspire-cs.com/?p=858#comment-745 Mary Jo, I just want to add my thanks to the list above for Rick's thoughtful and inspiring article. I could identify completely, right down to queasiness at the thought of networking. I think there is definite pressure to squeeze into the extrovert mold, but at the end of the day people respond to authenticity, not some canned textbook management performance complete with hand-pumping, loud laugh, and plastic smile. An introverted leader may have an edge on approachability and gaining trust from her team, as well as a unique reflective perspective. The workplace needs both. Mary Jo, I just want to add my thanks to the list above for Rick’s thoughtful and inspiring article. I could identify completely, right down to queasiness at the thought of networking. I think there is definite pressure to squeeze into the extrovert mold, but at the end of the day people respond to authenticity, not some canned textbook management performance complete with hand-pumping, loud laugh, and plastic smile. An introverted leader may have an edge on approachability and gaining trust from her team, as well as a unique reflective perspective. The workplace needs both.

]]> By: Lisa Parker ~ Recruiter Uncensored http://www.aspire-cs.com/confessions-of-a-corporate-wallflower/comment-page-1#comment-744 Lisa Parker ~ Recruiter Uncensored Thu, 28 Jan 2010 13:32:29 +0000 http://www.aspire-cs.com/?p=858#comment-744 Mary Jo, you are spot on with the "authenticity with age" thought. Whether it is getting comfortable in our own skin or simply growing tired of playing the game, I do agree time allows the real person to emerge. Older candidates are much more likely to show me their true nature. It's refreshing. The task at that point is to get the individual actively involved in helping decision makers see the advantage of having a person on board who is not part of the cookie cutter management crowd. Mary Jo, you are spot on with the “authenticity with age” thought. Whether it is getting comfortable in our own skin or simply growing tired of playing the game, I do agree time allows the real person to emerge. Older candidates are much more likely to show me their true nature. It’s refreshing. The task at that point is to get the individual actively involved in helping decision makers see the advantage of having a person on board who is not part of the cookie cutter management crowd.

]]> By: Mary Jo Asmus http://www.aspire-cs.com/confessions-of-a-corporate-wallflower/comment-page-1#comment-743 Mary Jo Asmus Thu, 28 Jan 2010 00:41:34 +0000 http://www.aspire-cs.com/?p=858#comment-743 Monica, well put. Again, and as always - thanks for your comments. Tom, so many of my introverted clients think they are the only ones! Nice that you could connect with Rick's story. Lisa, so often it seems that we come to authenticity with age and wisdom. I wonder if that is what you've noticed when you interview? Jane and Ava, isn't it wonderful that all types can bring their strengths into leadeship and be successful? Tanveer, I have a hunch that you and Rick would connect well. It was my pleasure to showcase Rick's writing and wisdom. Now fork over the money :). Kevin, as an extrovert, my favorite people are introverts. Really. Such strengths they have, and often a calming influence for us excitable types, too. Rick, lunch is on me as soon as I can collect from Tanveer. And, of course, if you ever want to write another guest post, you have an open invitation...... Monica, well put. Again, and as always – thanks for your comments.

Tom, so many of my introverted clients think they are the only ones! Nice that you could connect with Rick’s story.

Lisa, so often it seems that we come to authenticity with age and wisdom. I wonder if that is what you’ve noticed when you interview?

Jane and Ava, isn’t it wonderful that all types can bring their strengths into leadeship and be successful?

Tanveer, I have a hunch that you and Rick would connect well. It was my pleasure to showcase Rick’s writing and wisdom. Now fork over the money :) .

Kevin, as an extrovert, my favorite people are introverts. Really. Such strengths they have, and often a calming influence for us excitable types, too.

Rick, lunch is on me as soon as I can collect from Tanveer. And, of course, if you ever want to write another guest post, you have an open invitation……

]]> By: Rick Chambers http://www.aspire-cs.com/confessions-of-a-corporate-wallflower/comment-page-1#comment-742 Rick Chambers Wed, 27 Jan 2010 23:24:29 +0000 http://www.aspire-cs.com/?p=858#comment-742 Thanks everyone for your very kind comments. I'm especially pleased to see other introverts feeling affirmed by this guest blog, which is what I hoped would happen and was my motivation for writing it. That, and lunch with Mary Jo! Thanks everyone for your very kind comments. I’m especially pleased to see other introverts feeling affirmed by this guest blog, which is what I hoped would happen and was my motivation for writing it. That, and lunch with Mary Jo!

]]> By: Kevin Chou http://www.aspire-cs.com/confessions-of-a-corporate-wallflower/comment-page-1#comment-741 Kevin Chou Wed, 27 Jan 2010 22:56:00 +0000 http://www.aspire-cs.com/?p=858#comment-741 Thanks for brining up Rick`s story. Many of us introverts secretly wish we could be extroverts. Thanks for reminding us that we are also an important asset. Not as visible as the extroverts, but we are valuable, too. Thanks for brining up Rick`s story. Many of us introverts secretly wish we could be extroverts. Thanks for reminding us that we are also an important asset. Not as visible as the extroverts, but we are valuable, too.

]]> By: Tanveer Naseer http://www.aspire-cs.com/confessions-of-a-corporate-wallflower/comment-page-1#comment-740 Tanveer Naseer Wed, 27 Jan 2010 16:51:33 +0000 http://www.aspire-cs.com/?p=858#comment-740 Rick, this is another great piece and I think Mary Jo is going to get a huge round of thanks from her readers for charming you into guest posting here again (I've heard her radio interview, so her ability to charm is evident). I think in reading about the perspectives of an introverted leader, and what is the common census of how extroverted leaders are perceived, I think what's really important to recognize is that all of us in our own ways bring value to the table. Our experiences, the knowledge we've gained through education and real-life, and our personality and the inner drive that comes with it, all of this adds value to our interactions. As you pointed out, Rick, by attempting to emulate someone else, you ended up denying offering the intrinsic value you have. That in itself is the most powerful take-home message for all. Thanks again, Rick, for sharing your thoughts here. We'll start a fund to help pay for all those lunches Mary Jo now owes you. :) Rick, this is another great piece and I think Mary Jo is going to get a huge round of thanks from her readers for charming you into guest posting here again (I’ve heard her radio interview, so her ability to charm is evident).

I think in reading about the perspectives of an introverted leader, and what is the common census of how extroverted leaders are perceived, I think what’s really important to recognize is that all of us in our own ways bring value to the table. Our experiences, the knowledge we’ve gained through education and real-life, and our personality and the inner drive that comes with it, all of this adds value to our interactions.

As you pointed out, Rick, by attempting to emulate someone else, you ended up denying offering the intrinsic value you have. That in itself is the most powerful take-home message for all.

Thanks again, Rick, for sharing your thoughts here. We’ll start a fund to help pay for all those lunches Mary Jo now owes you. :)

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