Working from home: Why introverts thrive in the home office

The office concept—especially the open-plan office—is clearly designed for extroverted personalities. And it's precisely these people who thrive in this environment—while introverts often find it overwhelming. High noise levels, constant conversations, and the lack of quiet for concentrated work put introverts under pressure and mentally drain them. The pandemic-induced home office has been a blessing for many office workers, at least in this respect (assuming, of course, that their family situation at home allows them the space to work there).

Many may have thought for years that it was work itself that left them so completely drained and exhausted at the end of the day. After years of the pandemic and working from home, however, many introverts are realizing that it wasn't (just) the work itself – but rather the work environment with its crowds, constant background noise, and sensory overload. Energy snatchers lurk around every corner in the office – and usually not intentionally, but simply because extroverts often don't realize how exhausting constant conversation is for their quieter colleagues.

Introvert vs. extrovert: Why some people need more space for themselves

Introverts have different needs than extroverts. They recharge by being alone and need more peace and quiet. That doesn't mean they never enjoy the company of others—of course, like everyone else, they need social interaction. But they often don't have enough time with others, and they need to recover after meeting a lot of people (hello, social hangover!).

This whole thing has actually been neuroscientifically proven : Introverts are more sensitive to the hormone dopamine. This also means that they are more quickly overwhelmed by sensory impressions than extroverts. Extroverts, in turn, need more stimulation to release the same amount of dopamine. Therefore, they thrive in the company of others and quickly feel lonely.

Finally, work in peace! Introverts enjoy working from home

Working from home is a form of self-care for introverts – they can meet their needs much better at home. Not only do they have more peace and quiet to concentrate on their work, they also benefit from the reduced commute. Instead of having to expose themselves to further stress while cycling, taking the subway, or driving, they can do what they personally need to unwind at the end of the day right after closing their laptop: exercise, reading, meditating, or simply watching TV.

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During the pandemic, many people have even fulfilled their dream of living in the countryside, complete with a dog. This doesn't only apply to introverts, of course, but they are particularly often in need of a quieter living environment. However, this doesn't mean having to spend two hours a day on the commuter train. Those who now work only, or at least primarily, at their own kitchen table no longer have to make their location dependent on their workplace's accessibility. And the perhaps long-held dream of having a four-legged roommate has finally become a reality thanks to the increased time spent at home.

Hurray for video calls!

And the daily reality of the remote model—including virtual meetings and self-directed work—is also a blessing for many quiet people. While they may miss their colleagues sometimes, what they certainly don't miss are the many interruptions and distractions of everyday office life: Someone talking loudly on the phone here, two people chatting in the hallway there... Instead, they can work in a focused manner, at their own pace, according to their needs.

For example, after physical meetings in the office, introverts often lack the time to calmly reflect on what was discussed and sort things out. Instead, they might engage a colleague in conversation on the way home from the conference. In the comfort of their own home, they can first regroup and organize their to-dos after a video call.

Virtual meetings are often more pleasant for introverts anyway: Many find it difficult to speak in front of a group of people – digitally, it's easier. You only see a few people in the small tiles on the screen, rather than presenting live and in color to everyone at once.

Thanks to digital tools like the raise-hand option, it's often easier to get a word in edgewise without having to shout to attract attention (the absolute nightmare for any introvert!). Overall, the pace of video calls is often a bit slower than that of live meetings. This gives introverted people more time to think and prepare what they want to say.

Home office or office: Where is the world of work heading?

After the end of the pandemic, many companies ordered their employees back to the office without regard for the consequences. Now, they feel like they have to clog up subways, highways, and bike paths every day, and endure eight hours of in-office time. Fortunately, there are also some companies that continue to promote flexible models where work allows. This could mean working entirely from home or one or more fixed days in the office, for example, when a brainstorming session or an important meeting is pending.

Hopefully, this will give introverts, and of course everyone else who also enjoys working from home, the opportunity to tailor their workday to their needs—and ultimately achieve the best and most efficient work results!

And things are also changing when it comes to office space. Where open-plan offices and shared desk options make sense because not all workstations are fully utilized every day, many companies are now ensuring that there are still enough quiet spaces for concentrated work (or to take a breather in between...). Some employers are even introducing colored cubes or traffic light systems on desks that signal to chatty colleagues: I need some peace and quiet—please don't take it personally.

Because that's ultimately the most important thing: No one wants to deliberately hurt others with their own preferences or needs or make their lives difficult – neither introverts nor extroverts. And if there was at least one good thing about this stupid pandemic, it's that we all took a closer look at the construct of "working eight hours in the office five days a week" – and in many cases, realized that there are other ways. Because when employees feel comfortable and can work efficiently, everyone ultimately benefits.

Brigitte

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