If you are an introvert—you have probably wondered how to stand out at work without saying “Hey, look at me!” Often times, introverts can be perceived as having less personality and engagement than the outspoken extrovert. This misconception can send the population of introverts into believing they don’t possess the traits needed to climb the corporate ladder—which is far from the truth. Here are a few strengths that typically come with being an introvert.

Written communication

Extroverts are often public speakers that speak well with little calculation, but may not be the best written communicators. Extroverts tend to speak before they think, and getting thoughts down to paper is a tedious process an extrovert’s mind has no time for. On the flip side, our introverts of the world excel in written communication because of their calculated and organized thought process.

Independent

If you have ever been in charge of someone you felt you needed to micromanage, they probably were not an introvert. Introverts work well on their own and are task driven because they don’t rely on others to do the work for them. You don’t need to worry about them getting things done, once assigned to something, they always follow through.

Listeners

Because introverts are not usually the ones carrying a conversation, does not mean they are not socially engaged. Introverts tend to be more calculated with their thoughts and ideas, and gain their knowledge from being avid listeners. This is why they tend to be great problem solvers and creative thinkers.

Think before you leap

While being an extrovert is great for jobs where you need to think on your feet and make quick decisions—introverts are great in areas where you need to be more concise and pay attention to detail.

Leadership

People may see introverts as leaders as a contradiction—but as stated earlier, introverts are calculated thinkers and very work-oriented. They know how to accomplish a task and what it will take to get there. As avid listeners, they always listen to what their team has to say, and know where each individuals’ strengths lie. They may not be the loudest voice in the room, but they have communication skills that work for them as leaders. Communication is a two-way street, speaking and listening go hand in hand, listening just happens to be their strong suit.

Introverts and extroverts have different ways of achieving their goals. It’s important to have a combination of both individuals in the workforce because they balance each other out. If you identify as an introvert, know that you have valuable skills that are equally important as your extrovert counterparts—recognize the strengths in the way you communicate that helps you excel as an individual.