Popular opinion amongst introverts is that the shift to work from home was a godsend. But offices have re-opened, the pressure to perform sociability is back and the ones who preferred a quieter mode of working sigh with dread. At work, being an introvert is mostly considered a disadvantage. Studies show extraverts score higher on job performance, with co-author of ‘Committed Teams’ Derek Newbury finding that, ‘outspoken members of teams tend to be rewarded over their more introverted counterparts, even if they are not necessarily better performers’. 

In a world where extraversion is highly rewarded, how do we make space for those who work differently? The first step is awareness. At Sonder & Tell, we ask all our new team members to complete a DISC assessment. Measuring personalities and work styles across key areas of dominance, influence, steadiness and conscientiousness, a DISC profile gives an indication of how a person works best. As well as giving us tools to build better relationships with each other, the key message of such personality tests is that there is no one superior way of working. Good work comes in all forms. And great teams are made up of a mix. 

So the next time you feel inclined to give the loudest person in the room a pat on the back, reflect on whether you’re acting on biases, think about who you might be undervaluing and consider where you might be able to acknowledge and accommodate typically less lauded ways of working – it might just be the key to your organisation’s success.