Introverts in the Workplace

As a writer, the topic of introverts in the workplace has a certain appeal, mostly because it’s quite familiar.  It can be difficult for an introvert in the workplace, especially if the job requires a lot of interaction with co-workers.   There are many misconceptions about those who prefer to work alone and who might even have a problem delegating tasks.  Most introverts this writer has ever known has a sense that everything must be done in a certain order, in good time, and in an organized manner.  Organization means the fewer hands in, the better the finished product.  While that might not be true for all introverts, it’s certainly relatable by even those who are anything but.  A. Harrison Barnes, career coach and EmploymentCrossing.com founder says introverts are often unfairly labeled as being antisocial, too quiet, entitled and one who keeps important information to themselves.  That’s not the case, though.  With that in mind, we’ve attempted to address a few of those misconceptions in an effort to bring about a harmonious workplace.  Introverts and extroverts can work well together, provided there’s give and take.

The personal lives of an introvert, for many extroverts, would feel more like a slow death.  Introverts like the quiet of home and often, the weekends mean a couple days of playing by their own rules and their own rules mean 48 hours of creative bliss with few interruptions.   Sunday nights are the worse for many introverts.  It is exhausting work as the hours wind down and the psychological aspect of realizing Monday morning is nearing comes full circle, says A. Harrison Barnes.  “For an introvert, facing the work week is not something they look forward to.  It has nothing to do with being anti social, but rather, it’s more about knowing they lose a sense of defining their own parameters for at least forty hours”.

The biggest problem introverts face in the workforce is that they are too often viewed as unapproachable.  Because they flourish in a quieter environment, where their thoughts can guide them, a traditional office setting can quickly become overwhelming.  Introverts don’t mind having lunch alone.  They don’t see it as being excluded and those who they work with shouldn’t see it as a slight.


Another trademark of the introvert is his or her resistance to share ideas until they’re confident they have merit.  While strategy meetings serve a great purpose in any project, don’t expect the office introvert to toss out ideas just to hear himself speak.  The introvert is quietly taking mental and written notes and is considering the dynamics of the project itself.  It has nothing to do with concerns that another will still her thunder, but rather, it has everything to do with not wishing to waste anyone’s time (or unnecessarily shifting attention to themselves) with an idea that’s weak.

“Rest assured”, says the EmploymentCrossing.com founder, “introverts are powerful team players, they’re just not as vocal as their co-workers.  They’re great listeners and they catch those details and nuances that others might miss and in a traditional team effort scenario, that is invaluable”.  A common respect is the best tool an introvert and extrovert can share while working together – it’s the way things get done.

How to Address Your Boss with Serious Employee Concerns

An important part of communicating with your boss is getting heard. And for getting heard, you need to do quite a bit with your communication and diplomacy skills. The proper way of addressing your boss, is by being polite as well as convey the ‘concern’ in your tone in the most subtle yet catchy manner!

When you can communicate employee concerns well enough, you stand a good chance of being actually heard by your boss. It is logical that your boss or supervisor won’t be showing as much concern as you’re especially when it is you who is in the thick of things.

Here are the best ways by which you can be assured of getting your boss’s attention as well as getting the serious employee concerns addressed.

    * Choosing Time: Choose such a time to communicate with your boss when they are free. You could easily read through when they are acting busy (in reality they are actually not!). Thus choose a time when you can communicate freely with your boss and put before them your concern. When it is an emergency, look no beyond than getting heard ASAP; here too you need to keep calm and wisely communicate your concern.
    * Written Notes, emails, etc: Unless you have an agenda that you’ve forwarded to your boss, you might not be even considered. Then in such a case, there comes the need for proper documentation with valid points that you can bring to the notice of your boss. Keep in mind that such documentation may go against you; therefore use a very professional and diplomatic tone to highlight your concern and bring that to the notice of your boss. That way, it also helps your boss to prepare a schedule for you – not to mention the bonus cookie points you earn by being a step ahead!
    * Logic Prevails: Granted that the situation calls for more emotion than logic, still you have to take sides with logic. The idea is to calmly and logically convey the idea to your boss and at the same time not being subjected to ‘raised’ eyebrows when trying to address your boss with serious employee concerns. Addressing employee problems is the job of a boss but that breed seldom wants to put their head into!
    * Make Notes: Notes with timeline bulleted points will help you appear rational and also keep a track of what to speak and what not. Making notes when taking your concern to the boss also shows to him – your sincerity and dedication. Needless to say, it will also make your statements appear rational and logical. Notes can be also made for a quick referral when putting forward your employee grievance.
    * Follow Up: Follow up is very essential when you’re communicating through proper documentations. Do not lose track of the mails that you’d received and sent. Also prepare minutes, abstracts and summaries of such conversations which deem fit. Keeping a trail of documentation always helps more than expected!

Tips to Communicate Well in an Office

What is meant by ‘communicate well’? It straight away means effective communication skills that need to be acquired when you’re in an office and working. The language should be as professional as it can get as well as clear and not ambiguous. How you communicate in your office also defines your character and makes way for you to rise on the promotion ladder.

Here are the top ways to communicate well in an office:

    * Be Clear: One of the top pre-requisites of communicating well is to communicate clearly. Many a times, the proper message is not conveyed due to some limitations in your conveying methods. You must sound important but not so much that you sound completely out of context. Do not make mistakes in communication especially when you’re in a professional work-sphere. The secret success formula of communicating well is how lucidly you convey your message without any ambiguity!
    * Know Your Audience: Knowing your audience will help you to communicate in a better manner. For example, a pure technical person will understand the language of technology only rather than expansive management talk. In case you do not properly know your listeners, communication will become a hindrance. Do not let the hindrance bottleneck your communication skills. Becoming an effective communicator should be your main target.
    * Notes and Documents: Keeping proper documentation in place will help you refer to them in order and thus communicate those things only that you want to. This keeps out any chance of ambiguity since you know what and how much to speak. Notes and documents also serve as a reminder for you – you’ll know your priority better and segregate the work accordingly.
    * Language: Whatever language you use to communicate at office; one thing that you must be sure of is – it should be strictly formal and official. Remember, there is absolutely no chance for any loose talks. Therefore think before you speak out. Pronunciation is also important keeping the language usage in mind.
    * Motivator: A good communicator is a great motivator. To keep your people interested, you must motivate them. Motivating those means to work with them and show a picture of inclusive growth and reward sharing. Always maintain a pleasant smile on your face while communicating – keep your audience mesmerized and impressed by the sheer weight of your talks!
    * Leader and Mentor: Leaders are not born but made. Your communication skills make you a leader. More often than not, people have a desire to be leaders but they do not exhibit the leadership skills of which the most important is effective communication ability. Your colleagues will always look forward to your help on everything that they are stuck with. People need a mentor and what better than that mentor is you and guide all with the power of speech?
    * Use Technology: Technology has come to the aid of communication. More interestingly, the technology and innovation today hovers around communication itself! There has been an honest attempt to improve communication between individuals and groups. Use such tools as frequently as possible. Office communication is not Greek!