Introverts Unite: Thriving In An Open-Plan Office

Are you an introvert or extrovert? Contrary to popular belief, being an introvert does not mean you are shy or antisocial by default. Rather, think about introversion and extroversion in terms of your social battery. Introverts feel their social battery drain when they are around people for an extended time. On the other hand, extroverts tend to leave intense social interactions feeling energised.

In modern open-plan offices, extroverts may find themselves in their ideal environment. But introverts can feel drained with ongoing office chit-chat, intense discussions and spontaneous meetings. So, this one’s for introverts! How can you navigate the hustle and bustle of open offices whilst conserving your energy and focus?

Little moments to recharge
Take control of your schedule and carve out moments for you. Leave your office for a brief walk alone. Space out your meetings so you have time to transition, review and reflect.

Find your quiet space
Open-plan offices are designed for transparency and convenience. But many include meeting rooms and quiet workspaces for employees. Keep an eye out for these low-key spaces. It can be a game-changer to put aside a “quiet hour” in your daily schedule to focus on work in your ideal environment.

Be open with coworkers
Recognise that teams are built of dynamic individuals. And diversity in personalities is what makes teams strong. To balance out different working styles, let your colleagues know when you’d prefer uninterrupted work time. Open communication creates better synergy for all team members.

For deep-dives into understanding how to thrive as an introvert, take a look at Susain Cain’s book, “Quiet: Growing Up As An Introvert In a World That Can’t Stop Talking”. Cain share more about leveraging your strengths as an introvert to thrive quietly as a leader, educator, student and more.