12 September 2024
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If you think about the stereotypical employee who rapidly rises up the corporate ladder and is quickly singled out as ‘leadership potential’, you’re probably imagining an individual who is good at selling themselves and is quite comfortable being the one that shouts the loudest. Indeed, it’s quite often the extroverted individuals who get earmarked for the top.
That, at least, is conventional wisdom. But the expansion of hybrid and remote working patterns is a major disruption that has played to the strengths of introverts, who often prefer a setting that helps their productivity. Broadly speaking, they would rather their output is judged on its intrinsic value, instead of their ability to interact with, organise, persuade, or motivate people.
But if working remotely has boosted the standing of introverts, where does that leave extroverts, whose talents may wither without in-person interaction? It’s a question employers need to think about. Effective collaboration is essential to any business, and many people need both formal and informal conversations with their colleagues on a daily basis to remain productive and motivated.
Technology gaps impact collaboration and productivity
Research conducted by Apogee among 1,000 UK employees in mid-sized businesses found that 50% more extroverts than introverts define workplace success as the ability to collaborate. For introverts, it is more about getting their jobs done – with 63% defining success that way.
However, a lack of functioning workplace technology and the resultant collaborative environments are failing to meet the needs of these two groups of employees. Overall, one-in-four respondents (25%) fail to agree that they have the appropriate tools in place to collaborate with others, and as many as 41% say the same about being able to meet sales or other targets.
The inability to collaborate without experiencing problems with technology is even pushing one-quarter of extroverts to look for jobs elsewhere (23%). It is also leading to a drop in productivity while working at home, as, worryingly, just 16% of extroverts say they are able to work productively when away from the office. On the other hand, only 14% of introverts say they are able to work productively in the office, as 80% of workers as a whole cite challenges when using office devices and equipment.
Employers need to strike the right balance to maintain productivity and engagement, and having the right technology in place is a key enabler of allowing employees to utilise their unique strengths to excel. For example, the research found that three-in-ten (30%) introverts recognise that remote technology is what gives them a platform to more confidently communicate. 43% of the introverts sampled feel that remote meetings have given them the opportunity to voice ideas and feelings more freely.
Empowering every employee in the workplace
The research highlights the necessity for businesses to use their technology to create workplaces that cater to diverse needs. Whether in the office or working remotely, businesses need to ensure they have meeting equipment in place that is fully optimised. Other digital workplace solutions, such as Business Process Automation and Information Management, can also help foster communication and streamline daily processes and tasks.
If businesses are to gain the full utility of the talents within their teams, they must fully optimise their technology to accommodate personal preferences and individual strengths, and emphasise the importance of equitable practices to ensure that all employees feel valued and heard.
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