Don't Let Labels Hold You Back: How to Excel in Your Work Environment

Growing up, I was always the shy kid in the classroom. I was never the first to raise my hand or speak up in front of others. But early on I made a conscious decision not to let my reservedness hold me back. I knew that if I wanted to make a difference, I needed to step out of my comfort zone. 

Because I regularly get on stage and speak before groups, most people don't believe I'm an introvert. However, by the time I’ve finished speaking, the only difference between myself and an extrovert is that I need time to recover from the spotlight. 

Stepping out of my comfort zone wasn't always easy. There were times when I received hurtful feedback or criticism that made me doubt myself. I had to learn how to take that feedback, reflect on it, and determine what was right for me. I had to develop a strong sense of self — and be true to it. 

In the same token, we all have blind spots and areas for improvement, and it's important to be receptive to constructive criticism. Staying open to feedback while remaining true to ourselves is a balancing act. For example, people have misinterpreted my reservedness as aloofness (when nothing could be further from the truth) and so I have learned to channel my warmth in ways that are more recognizable. 

I have found that being intentional about building relationships with colleagues who can energize and support me helps me to stay motivated, and I also find solace in taking time for myself to pause and reflect. What works for me may not necessarily work for you.  

If you want to grow, start with self-awareness. Figure out how you can compensate for skills you don’t have by drawing upon the other qualities in your professional tool belt. For example, I am often part of conversations where I am not a subject matter expert, but I listen intently, and ask the right questions.  

I’m not a perfect leader, or a perfect individual, but I am proudly empathetic and compassionate. My introversion and reserve are a part of the journey of my career, a journey I enjoy. 

In March, many AHIMA health information advocates pushed themselves out of their comfort zones to travel to Washington, DC, and participate in our Capitol Hill Day. Seeking to address the challenges of patient matching and identification and improve the collection, sharing, and use of social determinants of health data, these members uplifted one another, engaged with congressional offices, and didn’t allow negative thoughts, labels, or stereotypes about their personalities to stand in the way of successfully communicating their message. 

I urge you to do what these brave advocates did: Find your superpower, understand it, and leverage it. Sometimes your superpower is surrounding yourself with others who have different skills and different personality traits than you do. 

No matter what your personality type is, you bring value to your position at AHIMA. Just remember to enjoy the journey. 

Wylecia Wiggs Harris is the chief executive officer of AHIMA.