Accommodating and developing introverted characters in the workplace is beneficial to businesses, a new research has found.
The study, which was conducted by research and development firm PatSnap and office furniture supplier DBI Furniture, found that 60 per cent of workers did not think that their employers were catering for their individual needs.
Often in a communal work setting, it is often harder to hear from individuals who are more reserved because they are not as vocal as their more extrovert colleagues.
As a result, companies could be missing out on hearing about ideas that could help the business, both PatSnap and financial adviser Minesh Patel have said.
Cherry Ainsworth, talent acquisition leader at PatSnap, said: “The modern workplace, for the most part, does very little to accommodate for introverted individuals. Skills and characteristics that many associate with extroverts include big personality, taking risks and motivation. All of those are fantastic attributes, but if applied to everyone, it can run the risk of becoming a team of big clashing characters who lack direction and emotional sensitivity.”
Introverts typically dislike noise, interruptions and big group settings. They prefer time to think before speaking and benefit from building relationships and trust one-on-one. Space is important for them to focus, and they much prefer individual projects.
Conversely, extroverts gravitate toward groups and tend to think out loud. They also tend to become more animated during personal interactions, social gatherings and when ideas are being shared.
According to Mr Patel, director at EAF Solutions, introverts can thrive as advisers and in team settings.
He explained: “You need to match that introvert personality with the appropriate type of client because not every type of client will be an extrovert.”
Mr Patel also believes managers should encourage extroverts and introverts to voice their ideas and opinions during team meetings.
For those who still find it hard to open up during meetings, he said bosses can go further by holding one-to-one conversations or coaching sessions to coax out the ideas.
The study also said offices can create workspaces that cater to extroverts and introverts.
