The thought of teamwork can be a bit of a nightmare for some introverts. I’m one of them.
It’s one of the reasons I chose to shift from being an employee to become a home-based solopreneur instead.
I loved the idea of working alone – totally independently. I wouldn’t have to wait for someone to finish their part in order for me to do mine.
I wouldn’t have to share physical space.
I could control quality without having to supervise or “manage” people.
I wouldn’t have to endure endless team meetings, fighting for “air time” in brainstorming sessions, meaningless chatter, office politics, or “voluntary” after hours socializing that was obviously considered necessary to team bonding (and career opportunities).
I could avoid all of this and just get my work done in a way that flowed best for me.
Unfortunately (or fortunately?), I don’t hide my feelings well, so none of this would surprise anyone who has worked on a team with me.
Can you relate?
Here’s the thing. I’ve realized that, while I no longer engage in teamwork per se, I do still have a team.
It just looks different. Actually, it feels different too.
While, as an introvert, I adore my solitude, I still want connection. I still feel stuck sometimes and need outside perspective and feedback. I still appreciate fresh ideas. I still need people to say, “It’s ok, keep going” or “How can I help you?” or “Have you thought of this?” or “Let me help spread the word”.
Without realizing it, as I’ve been going about my business, I’ve come into contact with some very special women (of various ages, backgrounds, and unique abilities) who are also heart based solopreneurs. I have become their fan, enjoying supporting them in ways that I can – and they do the same for me. We are each others’ teammates.
We are an informal team of women simply offering whatever knowledge or moral support we have to share in order to help each other succeed. We’re invested in the success of the individual, not the successful completion of a project.
It’s not a mastermind. It’s just people who care about each other and want to see our teammates “win”.
With this renewed concept of team, I realized that much of our teamwork is about allowing.
Allowing is the absence of negative vibration (doubt).~ Michael Losier, Law of Attraction
For most of us, at some point our doubt is so powerful that we can’t get to the place of allowing on our own. We need help from our trusted teammates.
Help to: Be Brave. Be Seen. Be True.
Knowing they’ve got my back means the world to me. Challenging moments feel easier when you know that people are genuinely cheering for you (no pom poms required).
Sharing who I am and what I know with them means the world to me too. Most of us have experienced the feel good factor that comes from contributing (paid or not) to other peoples’ success.
I think it does more than that. When who we are, what we do, and how we do it makes a difference for someone, it can also lift some of the doubt we feel, therefore contributing to our own allowing. It’s part of an uplifting cycle. Not only do our teammates win, so do we.
So my thoughts on introverts and teamwork have softened. I’ve found a way to feel differently about my consciously chosen team. The words that I associate with teamwork nowadays are: gratitude, meaning, purpose.
Choosing a team of people who have got your back, share their wisdom, can lift you up and hold you to your highest, and help you to release your doubts so you can allow abundance to flow to you – I recommend it. And I’m so grateful for my teammates.
Yes, I think it’s possible for introverts and teamwork to be a successful combination.
Since no two introverts are alike (and not all teams are structured the same), it’s a matter of finding the right fit for YOU. What’s that expression – don’t throw the baby out with the bath water? I’d say it definitely applies when it comes to introverts and teamwork!
What do you think? Teamwork or no teamwork? What’s your ideal combination?