Diversity Woman Magazine

WIN 2018

Leadership and Executive Development for women of all races, cultures and backgrounds

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d i v e r s i t y w o m a n . c o m W i n t e r 2 0 1 8 D I V E R S I T Y W O M A N 19 success. "I'd try to come in with the en- ergy and do what she does and then I would just stumble and feel awkward. It didn't work," Bush says. What Bush eventually realized is that it wasn't her colleague's outgoing nature that made her an effective networker; it was her willingness to bring her true self to her interactions. Bush had been pre- tending to be an extrovert because she believed that society rewarded people who spoke up loudly and often. But in reality, she was uncomfortable work- ing the room while her more extroverted colleagues flourished in social situations. In order for Bush to become a more effec- tive communicator and networker with colleagues, clients, and peers, she had to be authentic. at meant discovering and embracing her strengths as an introvert. ISTOCKPHOTO Accelerate We Mean Business > Here's how to use introversion to your advantage By Tamar a Holmes L ike many introverts, Julie Bush, 30, used to hate network- ing. e co-owner of Troy, New York-based consulting firm Xpe- rienceU Training and Leader- ship Development, recalls walking into networking events thinking, "I don't want to be here." At first she would try to emulate an extroverted colleague. at colleague, who would later become her business partner, had a knack for winning people over by telling interesting sto- ries and sharing examples from her life. Whenever she flashed a bright smile and offered a warm handshake, her en- thusiasm prompted people to open up. Bush decided to take the same approach, thinking that was the key to networking Embrace Your Inner Introvert

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