An Introvert's experience of International Coaching Week!

This week was International Coaching Week (ICW) by the International Coaching Federation (ICF) - normally a challenging time for me as an introvert. While I love connecting with people, these interactions, these events leave me with a need to recharge later. Alone.

But this year was different. I actually looked forward to it a lot more, thanks to a surprising trick.

What I've learned is that being an introvert doesn't make us antisocial - it's just how our energy works. Some people (even in my family) add to their energy through social interaction, others draw from the battery while engaging. In the moment of interaction, you might not even be able to tell (most people would not believe when I share I am an introvert), but the energy direction is just different.

My breakthrough came when I decided to give myself a clear purpose at these events. At last year's coaching week, I had joined ICF Singapore's marketing team (all volunteers). Marketing challenges me most in my own business too, so this was doubly valuable.

For this year's events, I came up with the idea to collect video testimonials for ICF Singapore. Armed with a phone, microphone and tripod, I suddenly had a perfect reason to approach anyone. That first awkward moment of introduction? Gone.

The difference was incredible. I felt like a fish in water, cruising through a room of hundreds with confidence, building and deepening connections with joy. I wasn't just another coach and coach trainer - I was there with a mission. And 'networking' never felt easier for me than this.

By day's end on Tuesday and Friday (the days of the full-day live events here in Singapore), I was physically tired but not mentally depleted as in previous years. I built stronger connections during these two days than in all my previous years attending since 2016.

Sometimes all we need is the right role to transform challenging situations into opportunities for growth.