Hello Reader,

Recently, I was in a coaching session with a client who said something that gave me pause.

"I'm just not great at playing the game."

And she's watching all of it from the sidelines, feeling invisible.

Here's what you need to know about her: she is sharp, hardworking, and deeply ambitious. She just happens to be introverted - and she was starting to wonder whether that meant she was permanently locked out of influence, opportunity, and advancement.

I want to tell you what I told her.

You don't need to be the loudest person in the room to be the most respected one.

Real Influence Doesn't Announce Itself

What you do need is something far more powerful - and far more rare: the daily professional behaviours that quietly build your reputation before you ever open your mouth.

Introverts often have a natural edge here that they don't give themselves credit for. The behaviours that build lasting influence - deep listening, careful preparation, genuine curiosity - are things many introverts do instinctively. The goal isn't to become someone you're not. It's to make sure those qualities are visible.
​
Here's what that actually looks like:

Be the person people never have to chase. Deliver your work on time. Respond to messages promptly. Follow through on what you say you'll do. Reliability is the foundation of trust, and trust is the currency of influence.

When you're in the room, actually be in the room. Put the phone away. Be visibly engaged when someone is speaking. Nod. Lean in. These are visible signals that say "you have my full attention" - and in a world of constant distraction, giving someone your genuine presence is one of the most powerful professional courtesies you can extend, and people remember it.

Let people finish. This one often comes naturally to introverts, and it is a genuine professional advantage. Use it. One of the most common - and most damaging - workplace etiquette mistakes I see is interrupting. Even when you're excited. Even when you already know what they're going to say. Wait. Let them land. Then speak. The person who listens fully before responding is almost always perceived as more thoughtful, more credible, and more leadership-ready than the person who jumps in first.

When you do speak, make it matter. I know of a data scientist who said almost nothing in meetings unless someone asked him directly. When he did speak, the room went quiet. He'd already run the analysis everyone else was still debating. He wasn't loud. He wasn't charming. But he was prepared - and that preparation made every word land with weight. That data scientist was almost certainly an introvert. And the most influential person in the room.

Be genuinely curious about the people around you. Ask about their work. Remember what they told you last week and follow up. Listen not just to respond, but to actually understand them. People want to feel seen. The professional who makes their colleagues feel that way - consistently, not just when it's convenient - builds a kind of relational equity that no amount of charisma can manufacture. Introverts often thrive in one-on-one conversations far more than group settings - and this is exactly where that strength pays off professionally.

Show up for people - especially when there's nothing in it for you. Volunteer to take the notes. Chair the status update. Give a genuine shoutout when you present: "I want to thank Keisha from analytics - she turned this around in 24 hours and it made all the difference." These moments cost you nothing. They signal everything. They mark you as someone who is others-focused - and others-focused professionals stand out, full stop.

Have an honest conversation with your manager. This one may feel uncomfortable. Do it anyway. If you're watching others get the visibility and sponsorship you want, address it directly. Book time. Sit down. Say: "I've noticed you've been behind Steve's initiative, and I'd love to understand what it would take for you to champion something of mine. Is it the way I'm presenting? Is it a trust-building thing? Is there something about where the company is headed that I'm not seeing?" That kind of self-aware, direct communication is a leadership behaviour. It is rare. And it is always respected.

Look the part - every single day. Professional presence begins before you say a word. Well-fitting clothes. Good grooming. Clean shoes. Tidy shared spaces. These signal that you take your environment, your colleagues, and yourself seriously. The details matter. They always have.

NEW PODCAST EPISODE: Athletic Shorts at a Business Networking Event?

Speaking of professional presence - my newest podcast episode just dropped, and this one genuinely made me rethink something I assumed I knew.

A chiropractor walked into a networking event in athletic shorts and a fitted t-shirt. Everyone else was in business casual or better. And he was the one commanding the room.

My first instinct? To question his choice. But the longer I watched, the more I realized he understood professional presence better than almost anyone else there.

Because here's the thing: professional presence isn't about conforming to a universal standard. It's about authenticity that aligns with who you are and what you do professionally. And it goes far deeper than what you wear.

In this episode, I break down the three pillars that actually define your professional image - and why all three need to work together.

A Question For You...

"Where are you from?"

Depending on who's asking and who's being asked - it's either one of the most connecting, or most complicated questions in professional life. Later this month, I'm delivering a keynote at one of Canada's leading banks - discussing whether it should ever be asked at all.

I want to get it right - and that means I want to hear from you on your experiences with this question. Just hit reply.

I'd be so grateful to hear from you. Every perspective matters, and I'm grateful to have you in my corner.

Warm regards,

Trina Boos
​
Founder & CEO
Boost Academy of Excellence
​boostacademyofexcellence.com​