I think I am an ambivert who had gone from extrovert to total introvert between grade 5 to college given life circumstances. Super shy! can’t speak in public. Awkward. At 16, someone giving me a compliment meant I’d start staring at the floor and wouldn’t know how to say thank you.

I started putting myself in leadership positions in college where I was forced to interact with students. For those of you are going to high school/college seek leadership positions. I remember my first floor meeting as a resident assistant with 30 students staring back at me, who didn’t want to be there. I made it casual. I made it fun. Instead of standing in front of them presentation style- I sat down casually asking them how their day was.

At the end of the day speak to others like you want to be spoken to - that is the key! I am empathetic so its easier for me to sense others emotions but its a skill that can be learnt. See someone excited, channel your excitement from a time something good happened to you. Someone faced a loss - think and apply when you lost something.

Talk to people whenever you can. A stranger in the elevator? Ask them how they are doing or compliment something they are carrying. BUT BE GENUINE! Feel the compliment from within. Let conversations happen naturally. I also adopted the policy at work that if I find something another woman is wearing that is pretty - I will uplift her. If it caught my attention for more than 30 seconds then make her feel good about it. Haha as a woman I dont go around complimenting men but thats just me.

I am now 100% extroverted and can strike a conversation with an office chair and entertain it.

Once you get here with everyone - talking to opposite sex would be a non-issue. I say stupid things all the time but it is now part of my personality. I am quick to laugh it off because I know we are all just humans. No one will hold a few misplaced words against you.