Shyness in the Workplace
20 December 2013
Read by 2350 persons
Being shy, what is it? Is it being a champion of evasion, the one who masters the art of avoiding contact, who skillfully slips through corridors and walks along walls in silence? Is it also the one who is terrified at the idea of having to meet a new person, talk to them, endure silences, blush, appear clumsy in words and gestures?
Yes. And much more...
But being shy, precisely, is it only a social handicap and can we cope with it, or even get rid of it somewhat?
We are all shy.
Of course, the shy person would prefer, if they had to choose, to put themselves forward a little more, to know how to better control themselves emotionally and to be able to be visible, up to their potential and professional skills. Of course, they would like to be able to sell themselves more easily and to be able to, like non-shy people, keep the best positions.
However, one is entitled to wonder if true non-shy people exist. When questioned, 80% of employees say they are shy or have been for a long time. And there are countless great men in history who have confessed to it, or even superbly assumed it.
Shyness is not a permanent state.
How many top executives do not admit, years later, to having been great masked shy people, potential emotional people? If they still managed to accomplish a beautiful career, this implies that this character trait can diminish, or even fade away. And that it is not really a handicap in the context of the company.
Rather reassuring...
How to overcome shyness?
Self-work is necessary, that's obvious. And this work can turn out to be a long journey, of several years. A path towards the freedom of becoming and becoming oneself, in the face of others. A positive journey that allows each person to find the right social mask that is both protective and revealing of what the individual really is.
Some objective leads.
While it is true that there is no solution adaptable for everyone, it remains necessary for each person to follow their affinities in order to free themselves from what they experience as a burden.
Several solutions are proposed here, but it should not be forgotten that these must be experienced pleasantly, chosen and desired so as not to be received as additional constraints.
1. Follow psychotherapy
2. Take theatre and/or singing lessons
3. Take public speaking lessons
4. Do a team sport and/or martial art
5. Do relaxation and/or meditation sessions
Eliminating shyness is a habit.
As one can easily guess, shyness can sometimes be linked to an unconscious element, a stress factor, a trauma or - and this is the case for most people - to a simple lack of habit.
Thus, the better the causes of distress are removed, the more the habit will be taken to come out of its shell and its mental protections, the less shyness will have the power and strength to express itself.
Yes. And much more...
But being shy, precisely, is it only a social handicap and can we cope with it, or even get rid of it somewhat?
We are all shy.
Of course, the shy person would prefer, if they had to choose, to put themselves forward a little more, to know how to better control themselves emotionally and to be able to be visible, up to their potential and professional skills. Of course, they would like to be able to sell themselves more easily and to be able to, like non-shy people, keep the best positions.
However, one is entitled to wonder if true non-shy people exist. When questioned, 80% of employees say they are shy or have been for a long time. And there are countless great men in history who have confessed to it, or even superbly assumed it.
Shyness is not a permanent state.
How many top executives do not admit, years later, to having been great masked shy people, potential emotional people? If they still managed to accomplish a beautiful career, this implies that this character trait can diminish, or even fade away. And that it is not really a handicap in the context of the company.
Rather reassuring...
How to overcome shyness?
Self-work is necessary, that's obvious. And this work can turn out to be a long journey, of several years. A path towards the freedom of becoming and becoming oneself, in the face of others. A positive journey that allows each person to find the right social mask that is both protective and revealing of what the individual really is.
Some objective leads.
While it is true that there is no solution adaptable for everyone, it remains necessary for each person to follow their affinities in order to free themselves from what they experience as a burden.
Several solutions are proposed here, but it should not be forgotten that these must be experienced pleasantly, chosen and desired so as not to be received as additional constraints.
1. Follow psychotherapy
2. Take theatre and/or singing lessons
3. Take public speaking lessons
4. Do a team sport and/or martial art
5. Do relaxation and/or meditation sessions
Eliminating shyness is a habit.
As one can easily guess, shyness can sometimes be linked to an unconscious element, a stress factor, a trauma or - and this is the case for most people - to a simple lack of habit.
Thus, the better the causes of distress are removed, the more the habit will be taken to come out of its shell and its mental protections, the less shyness will have the power and strength to express itself.
