<i>Shyness itself is simply a manifestation of low self-esteem.</i><p>I disagree with this assertion. I contend that it is possible for shyness to be caused by a lack of understanding of accepted social protocols. For example, a person who is perceived as shy may not know when it's appropriate or inappropriate to (for example) approach a stranger or interrupt a conversation, and therefore doesn't try.
I am very similar to the "loyal reader" from the article. However, I've noticed tangible changes in my personality the more I face uncomfortable situations. I am starting to enjoy the rush I get after doing a presentation, and I don't worry about the speech for weeks before like I used to. I actually thought I would never get better at handling social/presentation situations.<p>A personal enlightenment I had is that there is no magic combination of personality traits that makes you successful in business. The more business people you meet, the more you realize that everyone has ways about them that might be seen as detrimental to their success, but haven't been.
<i>How does a fundamentally shy person succeed in business? Most people don't percieve me as shy, but I started out being introverted. I get along pretty well with people at work, and I'm fine in one-on-one situations. But I don't say much at team meetings, and still have no clue how to give effective speeches/presentations. Still can't be in group situations professionally without feeling attacks of paralyzing gut-level fear. What do you think I can do about it?</i><p>As the reply attempt to explain that's introversion. All the introverts I know, me included, have no more trouble (probably less in fact) with giving presentations, public speaking, any kind of large audience.<p>Also we tend to get along much better then "fine" and "OK" with people at work and other places. It's simply that all of these activities are mentally draining, whereas being alone is energizing. That's introversion.<p>However, low self-esteem, in fact any kind of self-esteem level is independent of shyness. There's plenty of people that are anything but shy, who are also clearly in a very bad place self-esteem wise.<p>And if you're in bad place emotionally and/or psychologically you should not take on entrepreneurship.
<i>Anyone</i> can succeed in business and opportunities are open to all. I have worked with startups for over a quarter century and successful founders come in all sizes and shapes. A particularly shy person may not make a good CEO or a good salesperson but there are all manner of roles to be filled in such startups, for extrovert and introvert (and shy person) alike.<p>Plus, people can outgrow shyness, often by going through hardships that cause them to mature in that area (this happened to me years ago when everybody used to laugh at the idea that I would ever be a lawyer or particularly a litigator).<p>And ditto with the others who say that shyness is not directly connected with self-esteem - the two may sometimes be related but shyness can be caused by many factors having nothing to do with self-esteem.<p>The main keys to success in business are hard work, talent, and persistence, with personality being an entirely secondary factor.
"Introverted simply means you are more comfortable by yourself or with one other person."<p>"An introvert is often very good at relationship selling. Success in business is not always about being a visible leader - many F1000 CEOs are introverts."<p>Yes! This gives me hope as an introvert myself.<p>Personally I think shy people can change, they just need more social interaction. I was pretty shy when I was younger, so I threw myself into a people facing jobs like bar work and retail. Things changed for the better.
if you're shy, you must have an extroverted co-founder. i always find meeting founding teams where all founders are shy an especially underwhelming experience.