Open-plan offices are quite draining for many introverts. You are easily distracted and it is difficult to work on your own. Yet there are also environments where you really flourish as an introvert. A few suggestions.
Small and personal
Introverts prefer one-on-one conversations over large meetings. That way they can make a deeper connection and they are not over-stimulated by a large group of people. It is important to take this into account when looking for a suitable working environment. In that sense, small-scale companies where there is room for a lot of personal contact are best for introverts. Do you work in a larger company? Then it can help to work at home a bit more often, so that you are less distracted during your work day. In that case, do make sure that your day is not yet fully booked by online meetings.
People oriented
Introverts are usually very people-oriented: they like to give others space and look for deeper connections. That quality comes in very handy in environments that are also more people-oriented. Consider, for example, healthcare or education. In those places you will notice that as an introvert there is also more space for you. After all, people are key there. There are also introverts who do very well in sales for this very reason. They make a deeper connection, which can make a customer stay longer.
Innovative
Research shows that introverted leaders are best suited to companies where innovation is important. An introverted leader naturally gives the team a little more space to come up with new ideas. He or she will then also want to take those ideas further. This, in contrast to the extroverted leader, who can sometimes feel attacked by team members who bring in new ideas.
Independent
Introverts like to have a lot of independence in what they do. This gives them the space they need to use their creativity and also prevents them from getting overstimulated. Working environments where teal work or self-managing teams are the norm therefore fit very well with that preference. Consider, for example, the IT sector, where a lot of work is already done without team leaders. An introvert can feel very at ease in such a place. Another way to have a lot of independence is to work from home a little more often. That way you have more control over your working day.
Analytical
Introverts are often analytically strong. Their natural preference to view things from multiple perspectives and to take a step back to see the whole thing makes them very good at doing what is known as 'deep work'. Think of figuring things out, researching and mapping. An additional advantage is that this type of work can often be done largely independently, which is another introverted preference. Places where this quality comes in handy are science, R&D departments, but also the more strategic departments.
Introvert cultures
Ultimately, the culture of a company is also very decisive in whether or not you feel at home as an introvert. As described above, healthcare, IT and education are cultures where introverts usually feel at home. But don't forget the arts or charities either. The country of origin also makes a huge difference for company culture. For example, Asian, African and Eastern European countries are generally more introverted than Western European and American countries. That is also something you should pay attention to when looking for a suitable working environment.
Do you want to know more about where you can flourish as an introvert? Feel free to make an appointment now for a no-obligation introductory video call.
