My name is Macarena. I am 28 years old and I am trying to improve my social skills. I have always been an introvert. I have found it difficult to weave and cultivate interpersonal relationships, all my life. I started working in a new company recently, the staff was quite large. This was a problem for me. I had a hard time interacting with co-workers and I didn’t have a good time when I came in in the mornings because I was very embarrassed if anyone spoke to me. I decided that I had to try to change the way I related to other people. I want to share some tips here that are helping me right now:
– Start with Small Steps: Begin by making eye contact, smiling, and saying hello to your coworkers. This simple gesture can make you more approachable. You can make brief remarks about shared experiences, like, “That presentation was interesting,” to open the door for conversation.
– Prepare Conversation Starters: Think about topics that interest you and might resonate with others, such as popular TV shows, hobbies, or local events. Encourage others to share by asking questions like, “What do you enjoy doing on weekends?” Active listening is also very important. Nod and provide affirmative responses to show you’re interested.
– Joining group activities can help you a lot. Participate when coworkers invite you to join group activities. It’s a relaxed way to get to know them better. Also, volunteering for team projects can naturally increase interactions.
– Don’t put too much pressure on yourself, build confidence gradually. Set achievable goals and take small steps, aim to initiate one conversation per day, even if it’s brief.
– Rehearse conversations or responses to common questions in front of a mirror or with a trusted friend.
– You can consider attending communication skills workshops or reading books on interpersonal skills.
– Find a coworker you feel comfortable with who can offer you guidance and include you in social circles.
– Not everything is bad. Introverts are often good listeners and thoughtful contributors. Use this to your advantage in conversations. And don’t forget that it’s okay to take breaks and have alone time to recharge.
Hope this can help! 🙂 🙂