Ignore the Labels and Do What Fits Your Personality

I read some advice from a business coach that really ticked me off: it advised coaches to “stop hiding behind your telephone and computer...” OK, so perhaps I am being oversensitive, because I do spend a lot of time in front of my computer and I prefer coaching by phone. The thing is, I am not hiding! I spend the bulk of my business time on the computer because: 1) I like it. 2) I am not limited by geography – I can connect to someone on any continent. 3) It’s where I expect to “find” a lot of the people I want to serve: fellow introverts who aren’t too keen on attending large group events.

So it makes sense to me to do things the way I do them. My business model makes sense to me.

As for the telephone, heck, if I had things my way I would hardly ever use it – I like email better. I like the asynchronous functionality of email. In other words, as an introvert I really appreciate and prefer a communication medium where I can see (I’m a visual learner) rather than hear what a person has to say, and where I have the opportunity to read it, process it and compose a reply in my own time.

I have coached clients both over the telephone and via email, and I have not yet decided what is the optimal medium of the two. I would say it depends on both the particular client and the particular issue(s). There are times when email is too cumbersome, where I need to have that “dance” with the client in real time. There are times when the client needs support or has a quick question and can’t get the privacy or time to make a phone call.

That said, I do see a benefit of delivering coaching in person for those clients and those situations where it better serves the client. I plan to offer some retreats in the future, just for that purpose.

My point: I’ve noticed that introverts, by following their own preferences, get mislabeled. “Hiding” is one such accusatio
I’m tired of hearing. Yes our preferences can result in our being overlooked or not noticed – but that does not mean we don’t wish to be discovered! Rather than change your behavior, I suggest you find creative ways to get noticed, ways that work with your introvert preferences. (As I discover such creative ways, I’ll be sharing them with you – it’s a work-in- progress for me also).

So are you hiding or are you being your introvert self? Only you know the answer to that one. Can you do your thing effectively in a manner that makes sense to you? If so, carry on and ignore the labels. Live your life so that it makes sense to YOU!

(c) 2009 Joanne Julius Hunold