Every single person within your organisation is unique and different in their own way. That means you can never put anyone in a particular box and label them, or understand exactly how they’re going to react to a situation. That comes from knowing them and understanding them well over time.
However, there are different personality types that most people fall into. There are three main categories - introverts, extroverts, and ambiverts, however most people fall into the first two.
We know that extroverts are quite loud and like to speak as they’re brainstorming, working through things in their own mind verbally. Introverts on the other hand are quite the opposite, but they have a quiet type of strength which many people overlook.
If you’re an introvert, you might find yourself being overshadowed occasionally by extroverts in your office, particularly when you’re collaborating around the breakout furniture. In that case, check out this video which gives some useful tips on being an introvert in the modern workplace.
Introverts are naturally quieter but that doesn’t necessarily mean they’re shy. They simply prefer to think rather than speak and they prefer to work alone rather than in groups. However, don’t assume that introverts aren’t sociable types, they simply need to feel comfortable and to trust the people they’re with, which can take a little time.
It’s easy to assume that because introverts prefer to work alone, they lack high quality communication skills, but that’s not the case. Whilst an extrovert thrives in group settings and like to think aloud, putting everything into words, introverts are better at picking up nonverbal cues, such as body language, speed of speech and tone of voice. This makes them ideal candidates for really reading between the lines and having a deeper grasp on what someone is saying. Introverts are fantastic listeners, whereas extroverts don’t tend to be quite so good in comparison.
Introverts observe what is going on and they pick up on cues. That makes them experts at reading nonverbal communication. This can be very valuable in a contemporary office setting, because in communication, not everything is always as it seems. Reading between the lines is sometimes necessary and that’s the introvert’s strength.
In meetings around the boardroom furniture, an introvert isn’t likely to speak up voluntarily and especially in the general flow of the meeting. Instead, they will wait for a quiet moment, or when there is a break in conversation.
If you are working with an introvert, be sure to give them the time they need to feel comfortable within a group setting and encourage them to speak up. However, never push. Some people simply feel more comfortable working in small groups or alone, and that isn’t any less effective than group work. There is a place for every personality type within a large office.