The myth of introverts in coworking spaces
Once you get into the “coworking business” you keep hearing about the controversy of “introverts in coworking spaces”. And after a year of running a coworking space, and being a huge introvert. I keep cringing to the topic. I don’t see why operators of coworking spaces keep finding the topic controversial.
Before opening a coworking space and before having the opportunity of experiencing one, I always felt that it would be the best outlet for me. I mean, this is a space where I am inside of my social comfort zone among people I feel connected to.
Sometimes I get the question: how do you know if you are introvert or extrovert. I usually reply that you’ll know it if you reach down deep into yourself after a social event. Do you feel energized or drained?
If you don’t know what it’s like to reach down deep into yourself, you might just be a huge extrovert. But don’t feel bad about that. If you, like me, often feel like you need some time to yourself after coming home, just to debrief with yourself, if you sometimes feel that having a beer and just peel on the label and think for a while is a pretty sweet experience. Well, then you’re probably an introvert.
I roughly divide extroverts and introverts into four categories.
You can be extrovert and antisocial, that’s what we introverts usually just call “a douche bag”. And you can be an extrovert and very social, and that’s the kind of people I like to be surrounded by. Since I don’t do much of the talking myself.
There are also the antisocial introverts, those are the guys that you hear about that are living in a light house working on some system kernel code or just someone that prefers to avoid personal contact with people. They’re probably not your next coworker at the space.
But then you got the sweet spot: social introverts. I can’t speak for everyone, but I categorize myself in that group and I love the idea of a coworking space. It’s a safe environment where I can approach the community at my own pace.
The worst thing I know is mingling parties, speed networking etc. I just don’t know what to do with cold talk. Either we hit it off instantly, I know withing a few seconds if the person gets me or not, or I just want to get up and walk away… even two minutes of speed networking is 1 minute and 45 seconds too long.
So for me, a coworking space is what I have always been looking for. Don’t create “silent rooms” or hideaways for “the introverts”. Some introverts will actually choose those spots if they’re provided. Did you really create a coworking space for people to come and hideaway?
I love it in the middle of the chaos. I don’t have issues with private space. On the contrary, I like cheerful noise and interesting conversations. I just might not get engaged in all of them. Sometime I just listen and learn. I like to observe and soak it in.
I might even consider that coworking spaces are providing more value to introverts than to extroverts. Because you extroverts already have the gift of easily breaking the ice. While as an introvert, I appreciate the environment of the space, where it’s not awkward for me to just walk up and say: that thing that you’re doing is really awesome!
But being a person drawn to extroverts, I wouldn’t choose a space full of introverts. As with anything, I believe that the key to a creative community is diversity with integration. That accounts for character, background, gender, hobbies and interests.
Originally published at www.kumpul.co on March 17, 2016.
