We’ve gotten pretty far, in the past many decades, when it comes to accepting differences in the workplace. But it seems like introverts still get completely misunderstood, and maybe even scrutinized.
When we don’t want to have lunch with everyone else because we like that time alone to decompress, we’re looked at as “antisocial.”
When we don’t want to go to after hours parties and team building events because we need to go home and recharge our batteries for the next day we’re “not team players.”
When we stay out of office gossip we’re often one of the biggest subjects of it.
If we don’t want to add our colleagues on social media we’re probably “hiding something,” or we’re just plain “rude.” No, some of us just don’t want to blur the line between personal and professional life. And we should not be pressured into it. We have a right to keep our personal accounts personal without judgement or peer pressure.
We’re too often assumed to be stuck up simply because we prefer to keep to ourselves. It doesn’t matter how polite and professional we are. Doesn’t matter how hard working we are. Doesn’t matter that we show up and do the work. If we aren’t giddy over parties, if we don’t participate in water cooler chit chat, if we aren’t enthusiastic about team building exercises, if we dread after hours events…none of our good work ethic seems to matter. We’re on the radar simply for being quiet and private. And coveting our personal time, that we are entitled to. That’s a problem.
Meanwhile the extroverts are hailed, rewarded, promoted, etc. Even if they aren’t as good at their actual job as the introverts. We are still a culture that rewards people more on their willingness to socialize, and sacrifice personal time, than their actual work ethic. Introverts are judged. Extroverts are applauded. This needs to change. It takes all kinds of people to have a successful business. You need to consider everyone and what they, as unique individuals, bring the table. Not one group over another.
No one should feel under pressure, or that their job is on the line, simply because they just want to do their job and go home. I cannot tell you how many times my job was on the line for “not fitting in the culture” simply because I just wanted to quietly work, keep to myself, get paid, and go home. Didn’t matter I was polite with my colleagues, professional, and reliable. Because I wasn’t full of boisterous, enthusiastic, energy and didn’t really talk much. Because didn’t want to spend my off time with my colleagues, and wanted to be at home with my husband after a long day/week, because I draw a clear line between personal life and professional life, that’s all it took to “not fit in.”