I'm handing in my notice next week after struggling with the job for 8 months. The reason being is I can't cope with the social side of things (I'm pretty sure that I'm on the autistic spectrum). I'm good at the work part of my job and if I could just do that I'd be happy, but I find the interactions with colleagues and clients very difficult. My job has a lot of responsibility and involves dealing directly with clients and attending in-person conferences and I just can't cope with it.
I've struggled to bring up my difficulties with my manager because I'm a private person and I feel like I can't say "I'm struggling with the social side of the job" when that is probably 60% of my role. Simply put, I think I'm not suitable for the role. I somehow got the job and passed my probation but with extensive and excessive coping mechanisms. I'd worry all weekend about a Monday morning standup meeting and write myself a script to memorise and repeat on what to say, for example.
I know when I hand in my notice my manager and senior management is going to probably try and convince me to stay. My job is fairly niche and there are a shortage of candidates with the appropriate experience and education. It's a growing industry and growing company. I've had good feedback from my manager and senior management on the work that I produce and my manager has said I have a lot of potential and is trying to really push me, but I just can't cope with it. I can't cope with the social aspect.
AIBU to ask how to deal with the awkwardness around this? Can I just say I'm leaving for personal reasons?