I was at a loss for words. Nineteen other girls were sitting cross-legged on the floor to either side of me in a large circle. The walls of the Eileen Fisher Leadership Institute (EFLI) were freshly painted and the chemical smell was adding to my nausea. Aimee, the facilitator, smiled at me and coaxed me with warm eyes. “Come on, Katherine. I’m sure there’s one thing you like about yourself that you can share with us.” I felt...

Ever since childhood, I’ve been shy and introverted. Because of this, I avoided social situations in fear of saying something wrong or attracting unwanted attention. Only recently have I started to let go of those fears and purposely put myself in those situations. I didn't want to spend my whole life sitting in the corner, hoping that no one would start a conversation. I want to be able to effectively interact with people and enjoy their company. This is...