Rixus
I introverted think. Therefore, I am.
I've been in the same job for about 10 years. Just a moment ago, I had my annual appraisal and it's always the same. You know the job inside out and are brainy AF, but there's always, "I'd like you to improve on communication/telephone manner."
Apparently, my boss occasionally gets complaints from my customer's (and some times co-workers) who say that while they are on the phone to me, I noted down everything they wanted and did what they needed perfectly. But, they just didn't feel like I was enthusiastic enough. Firstly, what whiny SOB in their right mind would make such a stupidly ridiculous complaint? Why? What is the point? And is there a way to prevent this?
I've been practising switching to what I sort of call ENTP-mode; emulating ENTP behaviour for short periods of time. I've always been able to do this for speeches or meetings and such, but I need a little mental preparation. And apparently, this year my new sales person said, "when he's good, he's very, very good. Then some days he doesn't seem to have any enthusiasm and I'd rather not talk to him." Basically, it seems that switching to "ENTP-mode" and learning to do so quickly works. But I can't keep this up 24/7 (Or even 8/5).
How does one fain "enthusiasm" and make people feel like I want to do their work, rather than just doing it.
The problem is, I'm being asked to do something I fear is impossible - be more likeable. How am I supposed to do that? I'm not likeable. But I can do my job and I can solve any problem anyone in the building has (and everyone knows that and comes to me when they can't figure out how to solve the problem). How do I simply be more likeable to these people for whom competence is not the most important attribute?
Apparently, my boss occasionally gets complaints from my customer's (and some times co-workers) who say that while they are on the phone to me, I noted down everything they wanted and did what they needed perfectly. But, they just didn't feel like I was enthusiastic enough. Firstly, what whiny SOB in their right mind would make such a stupidly ridiculous complaint? Why? What is the point? And is there a way to prevent this?
I've been practising switching to what I sort of call ENTP-mode; emulating ENTP behaviour for short periods of time. I've always been able to do this for speeches or meetings and such, but I need a little mental preparation. And apparently, this year my new sales person said, "when he's good, he's very, very good. Then some days he doesn't seem to have any enthusiasm and I'd rather not talk to him." Basically, it seems that switching to "ENTP-mode" and learning to do so quickly works. But I can't keep this up 24/7 (Or even 8/5).
How does one fain "enthusiasm" and make people feel like I want to do their work, rather than just doing it.
The problem is, I'm being asked to do something I fear is impossible - be more likeable. How am I supposed to do that? I'm not likeable. But I can do my job and I can solve any problem anyone in the building has (and everyone knows that and comes to me when they can't figure out how to solve the problem). How do I simply be more likeable to these people for whom competence is not the most important attribute?