Leadership Isn’t Out of Reach for Shy Students

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For shy students, speaking up in class, let alone leading others, can seem like a Herculean task. While it might not come naturally, those who are shy shouldn't entirely discount their ability to lead or provide guidance to others. Leadership, like many other skills, is something that is honed through practice and experience, and is something that is in the reach of even those who tend to shy away from being in front of others. If you'd like to come out of your shell and start standing out instead of blending in, there are some thing you can do to help push yourself forward.

Volunteer for things. Once you speak up, there's no going back so you'll be forced to get out there and interact with others. Eventually you may even want to volunteer to lead a study group or group project. Remember, practice makes perfect and the more chances you take the more you'll learn.

Ask questions. Just because you're not ready to lead a group doesn't mean you have to stay silent. Speak up and ask questions of others. Participate in discussions and tell that part of you that is terrified to speak to shush.

Stop expecting perfection. If someone doesn't laugh at your joke or isn't instantly wowed by your ideas it doesn't mean you should give up and go back to being the fly on the wall. Every single person faces social rejection or criticism at some point. You have to get used to it, no matter how hurtful it may be at first.

Figure out what makes you feel confident. Everyone has talents or subjects in which they tend to excel. What are the situations that make you feel confident and competent? Choose these settings as the first places you test out your leadership skills.

Start small. Leading a large group can be intimidating for anyone, so if you're shy, stick with the small stuff at first. Start club with a few acquaintances or just work with a couple of other students. Eventually, as you gain confidence in your abilities, you may be able to expand your horizons.

You may never end up being a chatterbox or hyper-outgoing but any person, even those who tend towards shyness, can learn to lead and speak up about his or her ideas. It may not be an easy path, but the benefits can be plentiful and varied in both college coursework and a future career, making all that hard work more than worth your while.

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