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Chris McKay

I had the opportunity to become a manager at my company just about two weeks ago. I turned it down yesterday. I realized that I loved coding and I don't think I would be great at managing others.

So, I'm taking a different direction. I've asked to be a mentor. Teaching, coaching and helping other developers grow is pretty fulfilling. To that end, I really need to blog more (or at all). And, I'll have to get over my introvertedness.

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Matt Eland

Wise decision, but drop the "get over my introvertedness" bit. It's part of your makeup and your mindset shouldn't be to not be that way.

However you can, as an introvert, become comfortable in leadership and speaking roles. I love helping people one on one. I've come to see the help I can offer in group teaching settings as well. The introversion is still a key part of my makeup, but that just informs what I'm most comfortable with as well as how I recharge and how often I need to.

For me, I need solitary and time to build, think, read, and write. But that time charges me up to give more to others and focus on sharing the passion and care I have about life while helping others be better.

Doesn't happen overnight, and you may not even want to go that road, but introversion isn't necessarily an obstacle to it.

 
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Chris McKay

Of course you're right. It was bad phrasing on my part. I'm actually closer to an extroverted introvert in that I don't usually mind social interactions, I just have a hard time initiating them and then maintaining them once started. It's probably why I like to code so much as I don't have to interact with many people. I want to be more of a people person, I just don't always have the energy or constant motivation.

In any event, I like helping people. So, that's the direction I'm pivoting my careeer towards.