Now that you understand that natural rhythm or circadian rhythm can greatly affect your employee’s performance let’s talk about their personalities. In other words, you know that the energy level displayed by your team throughout the day will have an impact on their work. Now, let’s explore how their different personalities can also change their interactions with other co-workers and their work environment..

Understanding and working well with introverts

The first step is to define the word introvert correctly.  Many think that introvert is a synonym of shy, but this is not exactly accurate.  Being introverted is being reticent to being open and refers more to a complex state of mind.  Introverts do not wish to interact or socialize because it requires too much energy for them.  Introverts will usually like to retire to a quiet environment after being submitted to group interactions.  A shy individual is perhaps insecure or anxious to interact, so it is slightly different.

Introverted managers are often categorized as more efficient because they talk less and listen more.  If a manager is extroverted, he or she will often push their ideas on others more than be receptive to theirs.  Unfortunately, also, extroverts can often be falsely judging introvert and think they are less motivated to work because they keep quiet or to themselves more than others.

Bring the best out of your introverted employees

  • During meetings, make sure you allow downtime for everyone to gather their thoughts and formulate questions. Introverts need that extra quiet time compared to extroverts who can typically take over the meetings by their overwhelming personalities.
  • Make sure you do schedule some one on one time with your introverted workers. These meetings will allow you to ask questions and get the information and feedback they would not otherwise share.
  • Talk to your introvert employees and help them try new things, tasks, and express new ideas they have. They will most likely won’t volunteer to do so but a friendly push, they might just come out of their shell.
  • If you need your introverted employee to be part of a company social event or networking evening, know that this will be exhausting for them and they might need an extra break or day off to recuperate.
  • Although almost half of the population is considered an introvert, organizations do promote a work environment for extroverts. The open space in offices have been designed for extroverts, and it might be very challenging for introverts to be as performant as they wished.  Make sure they have an alternative, such as other quiet rooms to work in or headphones to put on for your introvert’s team members.

Michael Klein is a premier writer and speaker on all aspects of human capital.  As VP Operations for KDS Staffing, Inc., he has achieved industry-leading success. Michael was awarded, The New York State Small Business Growth Award; presented by Governor George Pataki.  Additionally, Michael has successfully grown and sold multiple firms. If you or your organization would like to discuss hiring needs, contact Michael at 646-350-3015 or michael@kdsstaffing.com

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