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How do you cope as an introvert in HR in an extroverted culture?

Richard
Hi All,
I was just wondering how any of you who have a more introverted personality cope with a company that has a extroverted kind of culture (I can't really think of a better way to describe it).
I've just taken a new role and like to think that I was hired for my relevant skills such as employment law knowledge, recruitment ability, advisory skills, etc but I'm starting to wonder if they thought they were also getting someone who will be the life and soul of the party, run the social committee and that sort of thing.
To be completely honest I am terrified of public speaking and I don't really have any desire to be seen if that makes sense but I am starting to feel (and worry) that my remit is also to plan and run social events. As someone in my mid 40s with a young baby, at this stage in my career and life it just feels like too much on top of an already insane workload.
Someone has approached me today and suggested a quiz at the next company all-hands, sounds good and happy to support it but upon suggesting it, they want me to essentially organise it all and have suggested I be the quizmaster which is massively out of my comfort zone.
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  • You've some great advice and thoughts below Richard and I'd add, I'm not sure if this is really an extrovert/ introvert thing. I am quite gregarious in many ways yet I don't want to be the quiz hoster with all eyes on me yet I can facilitate a large scale event.

    This feels more to me a question of expectations. Is this an unwritten part of the job? Is this an expectation in the team? How would I feel about that if it wasn't raised during my recruitment and onboarding process?

    If they are looking for solutions on how to bring people together and facilitate some social interaction then you have lots of useful pointers below and I've used many of the tips personally.

    As someone who has a reputation for getting things done - it's the core reason why my business survives- I have to remind myself that getting things done doesn't me always by me or that all roads lead to me.

    I find lots of folks are very good at being the 'ideas factory', and as Gemma says below, less keen to support the delivery of those ideas. I accept that...and also realise that doesn't mean I have to do it as a result. Good luck.
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  • You've some great advice and thoughts below Richard and I'd add, I'm not sure if this is really an extrovert/ introvert thing. I am quite gregarious in many ways yet I don't want to be the quiz hoster with all eyes on me yet I can facilitate a large scale event.

    This feels more to me a question of expectations. Is this an unwritten part of the job? Is this an expectation in the team? How would I feel about that if it wasn't raised during my recruitment and onboarding process?

    If they are looking for solutions on how to bring people together and facilitate some social interaction then you have lots of useful pointers below and I've used many of the tips personally.

    As someone who has a reputation for getting things done - it's the core reason why my business survives- I have to remind myself that getting things done doesn't me always by me or that all roads lead to me.

    I find lots of folks are very good at being the 'ideas factory', and as Gemma says below, less keen to support the delivery of those ideas. I accept that...and also realise that doesn't mean I have to do it as a result. Good luck.
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