I’m reading a lot at the moment about psychological preferences.

Articles about introverts abound: Oliver Burkeman‘s excellent article (2012), “ the introverts,” Susan Cain’s Quiet and Sylvia Loehken’s Quiet Impact (she asked me recently whether the majority of people in my own organisation were introverts or extraverts – I wasn’t sure I could answer), and Caring for your Introvert by Jonathan Rauch (who famously, it’s suggested purposely, misquoted Sartre’s “Hell is other people . . .” – though I rather like the popularisation of his addition, “. . . at breakfast“).Look out, here come

There’s lots to be learned about extraverts working with introverts, and speaking as an off the end of the scale high “E”, I am constantly watching for those warning signs when I know I’m being too vocal, too enthusiastic, too full on.  Some advice I received years ago in a 360 feedback process reminds me to reel myself in on occasion:

“When I first came across Christine, I thought she couldn’t be real; she wasn’t being authentic.  She was just so enthusiastic and positive, I thought it couldn’t be true.  But as I got to know her and work with her, I realised that she is very genuine, she is the real deal.  But this might be something that Christine should think about when she meets people for the first time.  Not everyone is as gregarious and as outgoing as she is; she could think about the first impression that she makes.”

This feedback was some of the very best advice I’ve ever received.  I take it with me into everything I do – whether it’s working with others in leadership development or coaching, or with a group of friends.  And a couple of months ago some increased self-awareness added another piece to the jigsaw, helping me to at last feel at peace occasionally stepping out of my preference towards introvert tendencies . . .

Working in an open plan office is a joy for me; banish me to my own space – perhaps a purpose-built office space – and you’ll crush me.  I love the buzz of the workplace, the energy I get from the fabulous people I work with (yes, I know . . . I love; fabulous . . . the language of the extravert!) and so I couldn’t explain why sometimes I valued the rare occasion when I was able to up sticks and work in the (supposed) quiet of my home.  I felt a little guilty at the betrayal of my extravert tendencies – weren’t they the things that made me who I am?

But is it really a betrayal?  I note that when I’m at home I’m still getting all that high energy feel and interaction that only a high extravert could love: there’s the radio on in the background, the courier knocking on the door with a neighbour’s parcel, the steady stream of family members in and out of the kitchen, and the dog to stroke.  And the pay off?  When I’ve had a day at home, I’m recharged, ready to step back into my open plan world.

The open plan office might be a challenge for introverts, yet it’s also a bittersweet option for the high extravert too – but with a little creativity around flexible working options, it can be well managed.