It is often believed that shyness is inherited, for example if our parents are shy it is more than likely we will be shy as well. There are an increasing number of people affected by shyness at work. This increase is due to technological advances that allow for fewer interpersonal interactions. These technological advances include automatic teller machines, voice mail, and the internet.

Researchers have found that those who are shy tend to begin their careers later than non-shy people. They are also quicker to refuse promotions. They choose careers that are less interpersonal and are more undecided about which field to pursue. Once in a career, shy people have a harder time developing a career identity where they see themselves as successful and competent.

Here are some tactics to deal with your shyness that might help you both personally and professionally:

Practice makes perfect.
Look for ways to practice speaking in front of other people in every day situations. During meetings, try to speak at least once if you feel comfortable. Ideally you won’t just speak for the sake of speaking but verbally contributing during meetings can help build up your confidence quickly.

Talk about things you like and feel comfortable with.
Look for opportunities to meet people and speak with them about things you like and are confident discussing. The more knowledgeable you are on a subject, the more confident you’ll be talking at length about it.

Get to know your work colleagues outside work.
If your work has social outings from time to time, try to attend them so that you can get to know the people you work with personally. The better you know them, the less likely you’ll be afraid to present or speak in front of them in a professional setting.

Consider joining a public speaking organization.
Join a Toastmasters club (this is a worldwide organization that helps people improve their communication skills) or a poetry-reading club. If you are an avid reader, join a club that discusses books. Again, try to look for things you feel comfortable doing and look for ways to discuss it verbally in front of others in a non-threatening environment. Non-work related communications can help improve your all around communication skills and can extend into your work life.

Consider taking a class or course on the subject.
If you are mainly uncomfortable speaking in front of people (for example doing presentations), sign up for an adult education course on public speaking. If you are uncomfortable speaking with people you don’t know, look for a training class on how to meet people or how to become a better conversationalist.

Try new things.
If you keep doing the same thing, you will keep getting the same result. Volunteer to present or speak in front of others. The next time you walk into an elevator and someone is there, say hi to them instead of ignoring them. Stop thinking of the worst case scenario when you have to speak publicly and think of something positive instead. Start with small everyday changes and you’ll start to notice the difference.