Thriving As An Introvert: Carla Williams Johnson of The CEO’s Publicist On How Introverts Can Thrive & Succeed In A Society That Seems To Favor Extroverts
Take simple small strategic steps with the understanding that you don’t have to ‘work the room’ but that you are there to make one or two meaningful connections.
In a world that often rewards outspokenness and social networking, introverts can sometimes feel sidelined or overlooked. The workplace, educational institutions, and even social settings can often seem engineered to suit the strengths of extroverts, leaving introverts searching for a space to flourish.
However, introversion comes with its own set of unique strengths — deep thinking, the ability to focus, empathy, and keen observational skills — that are invaluable but often underestimated. The question then becomes: how can introverts not only survive but also thrive and succeed in environments that seem skewed towards extroversion? In this interview series, we are talking to introverts, business leaders, psychologists, authors, career coaches, organizational leaders, and other experts in the field who can talk about “How Introverts Can Thrive & Succeed In A Society That Seems To Favor Extroverts”. As part of this series, we had the pleasure of interviewing Carla Williams Johnson.
Carla, also known as The CEO’s Publicist helps CEOs get into the places and spaces that increase their visibility to help them hit those income goals that they set for themselves and their business which had been previously out of reach. Her award-winning company Carli Communications seeks to enhance the lives of brand owners by giving them the support they need to build global businesses that get them seen, heard, and ultimately paid.
Thank you so much for your time! Our readers would love to “get to know you” a bit better. Can you tell us your “Origin Story”? Can you tell us the story of how you grew up?
I always knew that I wanted to get into the field. I think I was the only person in the world who would get excited when commercials would come on during a program or rush to get the latest magazine to see all the creative ways print ads were displayed. Even at a young age, I was always in awe of creative executions and how brilliant one must be to convince someone to purchase from just a few words and an image.
As time went on, my passion grew and it landed me to work with some of the most prestigious advertising companies with global brands. It was there I learned that there was so much that went into the final product and I was finally part of the strategic process.
I realized that there was so much brainstorming and creativity that went into a single campaign and, working in media, I had the single most important job of getting that creativity out to the right people. Plus I noticed that the more innovative the approach, the more of an impact the campaign made, which resulted in increased sales.
Fast forward, now I have my own company where I help women entrepreneurs and business owners increase their visibility through the creative and strategic uses of media.
In my years, the one thing I saw regularly that upset me was businessmen and women being ill-advised by greedy coaches and consultants looking to make a quick buck. These ‘so-called’ gurus would use the client’s lack of knowledge against them to sell them a product or service that made no sense and gave no returns on investment. That’s when my business was born.
I feel like a superhero sometimes, to be honest. Like I’m saving the day (and the dollar) of people who are in danger of wasting their money. On the surface, I help clients with promoting their business, but what I do is assist my people with finding the best and quickest ways to truly connect with their ideal clients so that they can serve them and, of course, make some money in the process.
Can you tell us a bit about what you do professionally, and what brought you to this specific career path?
When I first started on my journey, I was outright told by numerous people that I should
– Forget my ‘stupid business venture’ because no one would take me seriously anyway
– Why even bother, the industry is dominated by a certain type (aka white males)
– Get someone ‘lighter-skinned’ to be the face of my company if I’m ever going to succeed.
Specifically, I remember this one time that I was working with a group of entrepreneurs to produce what was supposed to be an event that would take all our businesses ‘to the next level’. The speaker of the event who happened to be a business coach started making demands of us which initially were fine but when she insisted that she and her husband (who was not a speaker but his expenses to attend the event needed to be paid as well) needed to be featured prominently to the top of the landing page, I pushed back. I stated that firstly, we compromised to place her at the top of the page she was not as well known to our target, and it was not her event but that she was a guest but I was totally against her husband being up there when he’s not even a featured speaker.
Her response was extremely condescending. She said: “Well if you want to have a sold-out event, you’ll need to have someone white featured………it’s just how things are……if you want to make it and be successful.” Then she added, “I’m just telling you what worked for me…you don’t have to do it if you don’t want to…but this is what made me successful so if you want to sell tickets you should do it.”
So basically, the color of my skin was directly related to my success or failure rather? What’s worse others agreed with her……like this is some kind of unspoken rule that just needed to be accepted.
Well, I washed my hands of that event, needless to say, it never materialized, but I was determined to prove that the very thing people said would cause me to fail would be the very thing that would make me succeed!
I got to work making connections, being brave, and putting myself out there.
No more being timid or nervous about it.
I showed up anyway…. and the most amazing thing happened….the very thing that was supposed to support my failure as a business owner was the very thing that propelled me forward. People loved my Trinidadian accent, and my Caribbean life and did not see my skin color as negative. They wanted to know more about me, my business, and my island life experiences.
Business began to soar and before long I was making regional and international connections, being mentioned in Forbes, BuzzFeed Huffington Post & Thrive Global, and of course, making money helping my clients. I’ve been asked to appear on television, featured on radio, and in the press.
I’ve even been named one of the 99 Limit Breaking Female Founders, and have since won Publicist CEO of the Year and PR Agency of the Year.
Not bad for someone who wasn’t supposed to make it.
Sometimes I think about what if I had listened…..what if I allowed these people and this one ‘so-called’ business coach to derail my greatness?
I would have missed out on so much but I want anyone who’s reading to know that you must silence these people and dare to dream and achieve those dreams despite what anyone says. There are people out there who need you.
Thank you for all that. Let’s now turn to the main focus of our discussion about Thriving As An Introvert. In order to make sure that we are all on the same page, let’s begin with a simple definition. What does “Introvert” mean to you?
Being an introvert is not necessarily a bad thing
You see, Introverts crave being alone because they get their energy from those quiet moments, and they often feel drained after participating in activities or even talking on the phone
While they are often good listeners they think before speaking or acting
The thing is that in business, being an introvert can result in no one knowing who they are and what your business can do for them which can result in fewer customers, fewer sales, and even less profit coming into the business.
Now the way I see it, Quiet Confidence is Still Confidence and while introverts must protect their energy at all costs, there is a way that they too can show up in a way that they can connect with the right people without losing themselves in the process.
Can you help articulate a few of the challenges that come with being an introvert?
They are in a constant struggle with how they are and what they know they should be doing for their business.
- A part of them knows that they need to be social but they mostly want to just be home alone so they miss out on business opportunities.
- The very thought of being around people makes them feel mentally and physically exhausted, so they believe they may miss out on potentially lucrative connections.
- They are filled with dread if they have to attend a social event and if they do, they would much prefer to stay in the corner and observe.
- They need to give themselves a mental (or verbal) pep talk just to make a connection or a call.
I’m sure that being an introvert also gives you certain advantages. Can you tell us a few advantages that introverts have?
Well as I mentioned before, they are great listeners and deep thinkers so getting advice from an introvert is second to none.
They are also very creative individuals and natural-born problem solvers.
They also show empathy and compassion which makes them great leaders in their field.
All that alone time helps them to become very focused so they get more done with very little distraction or supervision.
What are the “myths” that you would like to dispel about being an introvert? Can you explain what you mean?
There are quite a few myths I can dispel about introverts:
1 — They are rude, shy, or don’t like people
They just prefer to be alone and are very selective about who they pour their energy into.
2 — They don’t like to talk
Again, it’s about who they decide to talk to. They prefer someone who won’t drain them so they’re very selective about their inner circle
3 — They aren’t fun
Their Idea of fun may differ a bit but does depend on the company and the environment.
4 — They don’t get along with extroverts
They coexist just fine. Many of us are a mix of introversion and extroversion depending on the situation so it’s all good.
Do you have any role models who are also introverts? What have you learned from them that can help introverts navigate the challenges and benefits of introversion?
There are quite a few famous persons who are introverts.
Oprah, Meryl Streep. J.K. Rowling, Christina Aguilera, Michael Jordan, Bill Gates, Elon Musk and more.
The one that surprised me the most was both Michelle and Barack Obama are introverts. The first African Americans to hold the highest seats in the world, were introverts.
After reading Michelle’s book Becoming, I was truly impressed at how she was able to rally around her husband and show up to serve so many despite being an introvert. What I realized is that as an introvert you do have to manage energy. You have to find time to recharge in your quiet moments so you can show up at your best when needed.
Here is the primary question of our discussion. Based on your experience and success, what are the “Five Things Introverts Need To Thrive & Succeed In A Society That Seems To Favor Extroverts”? If you can, please share a story or an example for each.
In business, you can make your introversion work for you
1 — Mindset Reset
You’ve got to see yourself the way your people see you.
– The ones who’ve been burned before
– The ones who have no clue how they’re going to get what they need
You are the answer to someone’s prayers
Envision yourself as a superhero and your sole purpose is to rescue people who are in distress.
All of a sudden the stress disappears and they finally see the light at the end of the tunnel…..why…because to them, they’ve been searching for so long to find EXACTLY what you have to offer and now they’ve finally found it!
2 — Build Relationships One Step at a Time
Most times, introverts do not show up because honestly, it’s a gamble. You don’t want to waste your time and your precious energy in a space where it’s not reciprocated so if you do have to show up to an event, then have a goal in mind about the type of person you would like to connect with and what you’d like the outcome to be.
The goal isn’t to be all over, but to be very selective about whom you pour yourself into Once you feel in control then the conversation will become easier.
3 — Keep it Simple
Simple, small strategies are the way to go.
Don’t look a the whole picture but see that promoting your brand is a series of small strategic steps.
While looking at the big picture is good, dwelling on this can make tasks seem too daunting.
Break things down into simple, small, strategic steps, AND STICK WITH IT!!!!!
4 — Remind yourself of Your Greatness
Talk about yourself, your accomplishments, and how you’ve transformed the lives of others…..and celebrate it.
You do have great power inside you so it’s time to start putting yourself out there and start saving some lives (and making some money in the process)
If you forget, try Googling yourself…..the internet never forgets!!
5 — Show Up as You Are
May seem unimportant but when you look good you feel good and you’ll be more ready to show up!!
Take care of yourself
Eat healthy and move your body
Invest in yourself: clothes, hair, makeup
Feel as confident as you look in the mirror. and put yourself in a winning frame of mind
Expand your knowledge as well. Attend webinars, masterclasses, and workshops because the more you know, the more confident you will feel and the more comfortable you will be to join any conversation.
We’re not trying to impress anyone, we’re just trying to be ourselves.
How should an introvert navigate social relationships and networking, activities that are often touted as extroverts’ forte? Do you have any advice for introverts in these areas?
Maintain control at all times
Take simple small strategic steps with the understanding that you don’t have to ‘work the room’ but that you are there to make one or two meaningful connections.
Maintain control of the situation so you can preserve your energy and not feel drained during the interaction.
Get the most out of networking by asking the following three questions:
What are you passionate about?
What projects are you working on?
What do you need help with right now?
This allows the person to talk about themselves more to gauge if this would be a great connection for you. The last question, in particular, will allow you to maybe offer your services or point them to someone who may be able to help, thereby being able to move on from the conversation, while also being of some assistance.
What are some practical tips you can offer to introverts who want to succeed in the workplace, which is often geared towards extroverted behaviors?
I would say, be more confident
Confidence isn’t necessarily loud and it’s not about feeling superior to others. It’s a quiet inner knowledge that you’re capable and know what you’re doing so quietly assess situations as they arise and prepare yourself to speak up when necessary.
Also, think about prioritizing some alone time to recharge, particularly after stressful events such as meetings or conference calls. Schedule some time to just sit in silence for a bit so you can get yourself back up to speed.
Lastly, get to know your co-workers and embrace the ones who will give you the space you need and lift your spirits when you’re feeling low. They’ll be the ones to cover for you and will be there for you when you need them the most.
Have you noticed any specific ways that being an introvert affects mental health or overall well-being? Any tips for introverts to maintain good mental health?
Self-care is necessary.
In addition to the scheduled alone time, introverts can consider meditation, journaling, or even yoga to help them process their feelings and keep them grounded. Long walks in nature, a trip to the beach, or even a spa day can work wonders.
Self-care can also look like setting boundaries around their time and saying ‘no’ when necessary.
Most of all, sleep plays such an important part in recharging the body, mind, and spirit so getting enough is crucial.
In your opinion, are societal views on introversion changing? If so, how do you think this impacts introverts positively or negatively? Can you please explain what you mean?
I don’t think society’s view on introversion is necessarily changing, but I do think that more people are noticing they fall somewhere on the spectrum of an ambivert.
The truth of the matter is no one is fully introverted or extroverted and there will be times when an introvert may enjoy interacting in a group while an extrovert stays to themselves.
We just have to do what is most comfortable for us.
Can you please give us your favorite “Life Lesson Quote”? Can you share how that was relevant to you in your life?
“You can’t make waves standing in one spot.”
Maybe it’s the Caribbean in me but my daughter said this to me years ago and it still resonates with me to this day.
Building a business (even as an introvert) takes constantly being in strategic action, and making movements. Money is attracted to movement and I’ve learned that we have to keep moving forward, trying new things implementing ideas, and seeing them through to the end.
If things don’t work the way we envision, then we’re free to pivot and make the necessary changes, but we must never give up!!
Getting stuck in strategy mode doesn’t help, we need to push ourselves out of our comfort zone to reach our full potential.
You are a person of great influence. If you could start a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger. 🙂
I honestly feel that men are ‘groomed’ (for lack of a better word) in a particular way and therefore they are ‘expected’ to act and react in situations that can be unhealthy for them and the people around them.
Society still expects them to be a certain way which is counterproductive to how the world is progressing. If I could I would create a movement to address this because while women are becoming empowered, men are still being held to the same outdated stereotypes with their worth measured by an old-fashioned value system.
I think helping these men unlearn some of the traits they were exposed to can truly help the world become a better, less violent place.
How can our readers further follow your work online?
Feel free to follow me on social media @carlicommunications on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, or YouTube.
Thank you so much for sharing these important insights. We wish you continued success and good health!
Thriving As An Introvert: Carla Williams Johnson of The CEO’s Publicist On How Introverts Can… was originally published in Authority Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.