Shyness in the workplace can cause
significant inefficiency. The fact that it can be dealt with
effectively, needs to be recognized and embraced.
Recent studies on the prevalence of
shyness in modern industrialized countries, indicate that roughly 40 -
45% of adults define themselves as being shy to one extent or another.
The severity of this reported shyness can range from mild social
discomfort, to utterly paralyzing fear and anxiety which can cripple the
sufferer's ability to operate successfully in a wide variety of social
contexts.
With respect to the efficiency and
effectiveness of all types of workplaces, the presence of shyness issues
within such a large percentage of the workforce, is a cause for
considerable concern.
The negative effect on accurate and
appropriate communication within workplaces, plus the unnecessary
suppression of the contribution that could be made by otherwise capable
personnel, is a downside that is insidious and suppressive of healthy
workplace performance and growth.
Currently, the means by which
individuals may engage in the process of overcoming shyness issues, is
not embedded in workplace culture. Many leaders in business, industry,
government and society as a whole, appear to believe that overcoming
shyness problems is not a realistic option for the average person. The
prevailing notion appears to be that such issues are inherent to one`s
natural personality and are therefore permanent.
On the contrary however, people are not
born shy.
A person may certainly be born with a
personality that is more introverted than extroverted. In this case
there is simply a preference for a greater amount of solitude over a lot
of social activity. An introverted person does not fear social
interaction however. Such a person can be perfectly capable in the
social sense, but simply have a personal preference for a more limited
amount of company as compared to the more gregarious extroverts amongst
us.
Shyness is quite different however.
Shyness is a dysfunction that prevents people who want to socialize and
communicate successfully with others, from doing so.
For example, both a shy person and an
introvert might be observed standing alone at an office party. The
difference between the two however, is that the introvert feels
perfectly happy to be standing alone and in fact prefers it that way.
The shy person however, wants to socialize with others but cannot due to
a lack of personal confidence and adequate social skills.
Shyness sufferers are significantly
disadvantaged in all aspects of both job hunting and advancement in the
workplace. This is because they cannot complete with others who may not
be as technically qualified, but who nevertheless possess greater poise,
personal charm, self-confidence and practical understanding of how
office politics work.
Shyness sufferers can unfortunately
expect to experience a greater than average amount of unemployment,
underemployment, employment in jobs that require less skill than they
have and longer periods without advancement or promotion, as compared to
their non-shy peers.
Business, industry, government and
institutions of all types, suffer because of shyness in their ranks. Shy
people tend to be intimidated by office bullies and sneaks who take
advantage of their passivity in order to perpetuate self-serving - and
in many cases - corrupt behavior. Shy people tend not to speak up in
staff meetings and the like, even though they may have important issues
to raise as well as practical and useful contributions to make. Shy
people are also prone to depression, under performance and absenteeism.
Overcoming shyness however, is
absolutely and definitely an option for such people. Even in severe
cases, it is possible for a motivated shyness sufferer to break the back
of their shyness handicap, in a couple of months.
Overcoming shyness takes work, but it
is not an inherent part of anyone's personality and need not be a drain
on workplace health and performance!
