Engaging Introverted Association Members

Engaging Introverted Association Members

According to an article by Amanda Lea Kaiser, author of Elevating Engagement: Uncommon Strategies for Creating a Thriving Member Community, understanding and engaging your introverted association members can enhance their participation and satisfaction.

To start, consider this: what percentage of your membership feels more introverted, and what percentage acts more introverted? Often, these figures differ, highlighting the challenge introverts face in adapting to extroverted norms.

A notable strategy Kaiser suggests is designing engagement with an introvert-forward approach. Here are some of her key methods:

Prepare for Early Arrivals: Many introverts prefer arriving early to events to get used to the environment and avoid the chaos of unstructured networking. Opening your Zoom room a few minutes before the official start time or initiating an activity for early participants can help them feel more at ease and encourage interaction. These activities, whether virtual or in-person, can help break the ice.

 Encourage Gradual Engagement: Start with simple and quick interactions to help members become more comfortable with participating. Initial activities could include raising hands, nodding, or providing brief answers. This gradual approach encourages engagement, making members more at ease with more in-depth discussions over time.

 Utilize Written Communication: Introverts often feel more comfortable with written forms of communication, as they may need time to reflect before speaking. Incorporating various communication tools like chat, whiteboards, polls, and feedback slides, such as Mentimeter, can help accommodate their preferences. While introverts may lean towards chat over breakout rooms, a group that is properly warmed up might also find breakout rooms beneficial.

By employing these strategies, associations can create an inclusive environment that respects and harnesses the strengths of introverted members, fostering a more engaged and dynamic community.