In today’s episode of Speaking of Inclusion... I am joined by Sharon Hurley Hall, who returns to the podcast for an another honest and thoughtful conversation, this time about introversion and what it means to show up authentically in a world that seems built for extroverts.
If you missed Sharon’s previous episode, where we discussed anti-racism and colourism, don’t worry – you can pop back in to listen to that next, as today’s discussion stands beautifully on its own.
Together, Sharon and I explore the nuances of introvert energy, navigating social expectations, workplace environments, and the all-too-familiar challenge of finding your own rhythm in groups both online and offline. As someone firmly on the extrovert spectrum, I found it fascinating to compare our experiences and to learn the ways Sharon creates space for herself in a world that often doesn’t.
We also talk about the importance of language in defining who we are, strategies for managing energy, and how each of us can advocate for our own needs in professional and personal spheres.
Here are three key takeaways from this episode:
Introversion isn’t a deficit or a superpower – it’s simply one way of experiencing the world, and everyone benefits when we move away from labelling certain traits as “better” or “worse.”
Knowing and advocating for your own needs – whether that’s requesting quiet spaces at work, blocking out time for rest, or being honest with friends about needing downtime – is essential to both your wellbeing and your relationships.
There are countless ways to participate and be visible, especially online; it’s about experimenting and finding what aligns with your own energy, rather than following prescriptive rules about how to network or “put yourself out there.”
While you listen, here’s a question to reflect on:
What do you need to truly recharge in your work or social life, and how often do you give yourself permission to ask for it?
Things we said we'd include in this episode's show notes:
Sharon’s fiction recommendation: Babel by RF Kuang
Book tracking app: The StoryGraph (founded by a Black woman and an alternative to Goodreads)
You can connect with Sharon by visiting her website or connecting with her on LinkedIn
If you find value in these conversations and want to help keep Speaking of Inclusion going, please consider buying me a virtual coffee at coff.ee/speakingofinclusion – your support genuinely helps to keep the show funded and independent.
Speaking of Inclusion is hosted by Katie Allen.
Katie is a specialist inclusion consultant and confidence coach, offering a no BS approach to DEI and helping people become more confident in important human conversations.
www.KatieAllenConsulting.com
Theme music is courtesy of Epidemic Sounds – "No Drama" by Alder