Does the thought of making small talk, business networking or working in groups make you want to retreat to your comfort zone? If so, you may be an introvert.

In a business environment that applauds outgoing and socially plugged-in entrepreneurs, it’s not easy being an introvert. But that doesn’t mean introverts can’t successfully run their own business. It just takes some creative thinking, and that’s where introverts excel.

If you discover that you are an introvert, and one third of us are, that’s not a barrier to success.

Understanding your personality

According to the Myers Briggs personality test, extroverted people are outgoing, like working in groups and know lots of people. They also tend to act first, think later.

Introverts get energy from their inner world and are often seen as reserved and reflective. They are comfortable working alone and prefer to know a few people well. Sometimes they spend too long reflecting and don’t act quickly enough.

You can find out where you sit on the introvert-extrovert scale here. If you discover that you are an introvert, and one third of us are, that’s not a barrier to success.

Stay true to yourself

As a business owner, your introversion can be a powerful tool if you know how to use it to your advantage.

1. Quality over quantity. If the thought of entering a gathering of 100 strangers and trying to make individual contact is your idea of hell, then don’t waste your time. Instead, choose to network face-to-face or in small groups of like-minded people. You can start by looking online (for example, here and here) for networking opportunities in your area of business. Or organise your own local networking group where you are the point of contact, so people seek you out rather than the other way around.
2. Find the yin to your yang. It’s no accident that introverts often choose friends or marry people who do most of the talking in social situations. And it’s no different in business. Inventor of the Apple computer, Steve Wozniak famously teamed up with extrovert Steve Jobs. Jobs handled the marketing while Wozniak concentrated on product development. So why not team up with an extroverted business partner?
3. Delegate more. Susan Cain, in her book ‘Quiet: the power of introverts in a world that can’t stop talking’, says introverted leaders often make better managers. She says this is because they listen more and let other people run with their ideas. By hiring the right employees, you can delegate some of the marketing and other tasks you like least to more extroverted personalities who enjoy them. This can have the added bonus of creating a happier workplace and boosting productivity.
4. Network like an introvert. If getting up close and personal is not your style, then try promoting your business by writing a blog or incorporating live chat on your website. LinkedIn is also a great way to lift your profile.
5. Schedule time out. Introverts understand the difference between being a loner and valuing time alone. So when you’ve had enough we time, make sure to schedule some me time. For some people, that might mean communing with nature or going surfing. For others, it might be yoga and meditation.

Time spent alone will restore your sense of balance and inner peace. And who knows, it could also provide the space you need to come up with your next big idea!