I'm 37 and every piece of career advice I was given as an introvert was wrong - "speak up more," "be more visible," "put yourself out there" - because the things that actually built my career were the ones nobody told me to value - Silicon Canals

"The advice that almost ruined me was to 'speak up more.' This was a recurring theme in my performance reviews, implying that my work wasn't enough without visibility."

"I forced myself to speak in meetings when I had nothing to add, believing silence was a problem. I attended networking events feeling like I was wearing someone else's personality."

"The things that actually got me here were the skills and habits that looked like the opposite of what ambitious people were supposed to do."

"I learned to stop apologizing for being quiet, and the difference between that and being louder turned out to be everything."

Career advice often emphasizes being more visible and vocal, suggesting that introverted traits are deficiencies. However, true success can stem from embracing one's natural quietness and focusing on delivering results rather than conforming to extroverted expectations. The journey involves recognizing the value of reliability and tangible contributions over self-promotion and forced visibility. Learning to stop apologizing for being quiet can lead to a more authentic and fulfilling career path.

Read at Silicon Canals