By | Marissa Yates | introvertdear.com
Icebreakers are a bouquet of things introverts hate, like public speaking and being the center of attention. But there are ways to get through them.
When I started my current job, I was worried about a lot of things: meeting new people, learning a new position, and figuring out how to do everything remotely, to name a few. But what I was not prepared for was discovering that every day began with a virtual morning meeting centered around an icebreaker.
As an introvert, I am much more content listening to others than speaking, especially when I’m around people I don’t know well. But all of the sudden, in addition to meeting new people and learning a new job, I had to answer a completely random question about myself (my least favorite topic), in front of strangers, and with no notice. Every. Single. Day.
I’m pleased to say that I’ve been there for almost a year now, and, despite some incredibly awkward moments, I can get through the meetings with a bit more grace than before (most days, at least). So if you find yourself in a similar position, here are some things I’ve found useful in learning how to handle those dreaded workplace icebreakers, whether they’re in person or via video calls.
