Shy is good

Many shy people would love to be that extrovert who can walk into a crowded

room and say ‘Hello’ to everyone in that positive, confident way. The shy person

may find it difficult to engage with strangers at the party as they are not sure what

to say and don’t want to sound silly.

The shy person will avoid situations in which they are the main focus. Their

friends will be few but close ones.

The opposite to a shy person is the outgoing, gregarious, extravert and seemingly

very confident individual. In the extreme form it can manifest an arrogant and

boastful persona. But we are all different and there is no right or wrong

personality type.

Read my book, “ The Psychology of Career Planning ” (also called, “Your Lowe Profile”) by John Lowe

on Amazon and you will discover how different personalities behave and interact

with others.

I have found from my coaching experience that shyness is a positive trait. It is

often the trait of a thoughtful, deep-thinking personality which fits the Analyst

type. Analysts react from a rational perspective and spontaneous small-talk is

not their forte or focus. This explains why small-talk is not within their thinking

construct. They need a base from which to develop an interactive conversation.

My heading “Shy is good” endeavours to allay the misconception that shyness is a

negative trait but rather the manifestation of a particular personality type. So no

longer envy that brash, outgoing party type. Be your shy, thoughtful self.

When I review my experience of coaching and interviewing thousands executives and asked them to describe their personality ‘ shy ‘ was the most common response. ‘I find it difficult making small talk with strangers’ Yet when talking about their job they were very animated and talkative which is understandable as it is related and well known territory.

I view shyness as a personality trait and do not make a valued judgement though society can wrongly consider it to be a personality weakness.

If you are the shy type i would say be shy as from my experience you are in very good company.