6 Reasons Introverts Are the Best Remote Employees - Introvert Whisperer

Introvert Whisperer / 6 Reasons Introverts Are the Best Remote Employees - Introvert Whisperer 6 Reasons Introverts Are the Best Remote Employees Kayla Matthews March 28, 2018 Adaptability, Career Development, Self-Promotion No responses Go to top Remote work has rapidly grown in popularity in the last few years. Not only is it more of an option for people now than ever before, but it’s also become a preference for many, especially introverts. Working remotely does not appeal to everyone. While many people feel the need to be around others and feel too isolated if alone for too long, introverts thrive on time spent alone â€" which is why they make excellent remote employees. Those with introverted personalities have a harder time in an environment with an open-plan office, where lots of excess noise and constant interruptions can be extremely distracting. The fact of the matter is, not all employees have the same work styles, so it’s great that more and more companies are accepting this and allowing employees the option to work at home if they require a quieter environment. Read on for six reasons introverts are the best remote employees. They Need Their Space Introverts like their space â€" period. Especially when they’re working, trying to focus and get things done, space is imperative. A 2012 Harvard University study concluded introverts have more gray matter in their prefrontal cortex than extroverts, and this excess gray matter is linked to a more abstract thought and decision-making process. When introverts have their own space, they are better able to weigh their options before making decisions. They Thrive in Quiet Environments Just because people are introverted doesnt mean they cannot handle social interactions. Most introverts actually get along well with others. However, social interactions tend to be draining for them, compared to extroverts, who thrive on others’ energy. Since social interaction is such a huge part of an office setting, introverts naturally thrive in a quiet environment. They Prefer One Task at a Time Since introverts like to focus on one task at a time, interruptions can really throw off their flow. Once their attention to something gets derailed, it can take quite some time for them to get back on track, especially if they constantly get distracted throughout the day. Introverts want to focus deeply on tasks â€" one at a time â€" so they can take their time on decisions and solving problems. They Want to Follow a Schedule Since introverts are usually self-motivated and focused, they tend to want to follow a schedule, not just play things by ear. They’re also more motivated by proving themselves to themselves â€" not other people. Sticking to a schedule and a routine is more important for an introvert than several social interactions during the day to please co-workers. Cloud hosting providers make following a schedule easier for those who work at home because they give employees the access they need to all their files and programs like Outlook â€" where calendars are a necessity. This also makes it easy to share documents and data across several locations. All it takes is Internet access, and you’re good to go. They Work Better Alone Introverts don’t want to have sporadic conversations all day long with their co-workers. They would rather use their energy toward their work and getting things done. This is why introverts work better when alone, without the chaos of an office around them. They also don’t rely on others to get their work done, so working alone only makes more sense because they don’t need or expect help from co-workers. They’re usually their own leaders. Remote employees should still attend face-to-face meetings during the week so they don’t feel isolated from the company culture, have the opportunity to network and overall have in-person time with some of their co-workers and their boss. They Don’t Prefer Work in Groups Unlike extroverts, introverts prefer to think about things first before throwing ideas out there. So in a meeting, an introvert is more likely to process information before jumping on new ideas because of their internal focus. They’re also more likely to ask more targeted questions and pick up on things others may not notice. When introverts have time and space alone to process information, they are likely to be more productive than if co-workers approach them immediately to come up with solutions. In fact, Susan Cain, author of Quiet: The Power of Introverts, believes teams who collaborate remotely produce the most influential work. There is no right way to be. Both introverts and extroverts thrive in different environments depending on their preferences. Since introverts need space, work better alone and prefer a quiet environment, they’re the best remote employees because they can get all that and more by working at home in an environment they can control. Since introverts take more time to recharge after becoming drained from small talk and lots of meetings, it’s best if they have an opportunity to avoid this wasted time and use it to focus on their work instead. If it makes them more productive and produces better results, companies have nothing to lose by offering this option to their employees. Go to top Do you know what your next career step is?  Many people don’t. I want to help you accelerate your career by connecting you with your Free Instant Access to my eBook on how to construct your Career SMART Goals â€" that will help you put together your actions and keep you accountable. 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