Self Help Guide for Extroverts working from home
Fiona Buckley- Personality Practitioner/Keynote Speaker/Empowerment Coach

Self Help Guide for Extroverts working from home

Extroverts working from home may need to make a few more adjustments than their more introverted colleagues. More recent studies have shown there are 2 main types of extroverts: 

1.     Affiliative Extroverts: tend to be the socialites and are friendly, warm and strong at networking. They have strong interpersonal skills and invest heavily in workplace relationships.

2.     Agentic Extroverts:  havtendencies for  assertiveness, persistence and are very much driven by success and often assume senior positions. 

Of course you can be a mix of both of them too, but some resonate more with one type over another. Let’s examine a bit more closely as to why extroverts may need more adjustments in a remote working environment: 

·      Extroverts prefer variety rather than depth in tasks and they enjoy bouncing ideas off each other as that’s where they get their energy from- interactions with people. They often go from one topic to another and think “out loud” as they talk it through with people. 

·      They enjoy spur-of-the-moment conversations and can sometimes prefer these to scheduled meetings. Remote working does not enable this as easily as an office based environment.

·      Extroverts are often quite fast paced and sometimes the solitude that comes with remote working can be too limiting. Extroverts do not require the space or time to process information like their introverted colleagues. As such, this can sometimes act as an energy drainer. 

·      Extroverts can sometimes need more validation from others to get their work done. (For example if an extroverted friend decided to run a marathon- they would tell everyone whereas an introverted person often does the marathon and then tells you afterwards). Extroverts may often want feedback and affirmations from others (whereas introverts get this from themselves). 

·      Extroverts are often energised by small talk and back to back meetings in an office environment which does not happen in a remote setting. 

·      Extroverts tend to be more creative in a busier space. 

·      Isolation can possibly contribute to productivity issues. Extroverts can often experience both motivation and positive feelings from engaging with external stimuli. In a remote work setting, extroverts must learn to create these conditions for themselves. However, this is less of an issue for agentic extroverts who are action-oriented by nature. 

·      Extroverts tend to feel more energized and happy being with others, and being alone for too long can make them feel unbalanced and unhappy. 

So as you can see adaptations are mostly needed in the areas of energy management and social interactions for extroverts to ensure  a successful remote environment. Let’s take a look at some tips as follows:

  1. Schedule multiple social Interactions every day and top these up regularly which in turn keeps you recharged to do the isolated tasks at your best. 
  2. Play to your strengths. An extrovert has plenty of skills that can be put to good use when working remotely. Self-promotion tends to come more naturally to you and when you’re working with clients you don’t always choose email. You’re strong at communicating in a video conference call and this methods are usually a better way to get across any ideas, concerns or questions you may have about a project. 
  3. Exercise every day . Physical activity boosts dopamine in the brain and as an extrovert, you are in need of this boost to compensate for the dopamine you likely get from regular social interaction (Of course exercise is recommended regardless of personality type).
  4. Check in daily to assess your energy levels. Check in to see how energised and/or drained you are at least 3 times during the work day. If you are feeling drained and depleted put measures in place (call someone, go for a walk etc) to re-balance your energy. 
  5. Due to the fast pace of extroverts, embrace this for productivity. Agentic extraverts are strong at self Discipline While others may get stressed from a growing list of to-dos or jumping back and forth between calls, you tend to thrive on the challenge. Use this to your advantage by offering to take on larger projects with many moving parts. The only caveat here is not to take on too much.  
  6. You can learn to adapt and flex your personality type. You may surprise yourself by how much you can get done in a calmer, quieter environment that you won’t be as bothered in time about not being surrounded by co-workers.
  7. When working independently, you may not have as many opportunities to get the affirmations from others. In its place, track your accomplishments via lists/goals and be sure to find ways to celebrate the small wins you have throughout the week. For example, if you finish a project early you can tweet about it or send your manager a note. 
  8. Block off down-time.  You thrive on multitasking with a fast pace and may be prone to hopping from one task to another without reflecting on what you have just accomplished. Try to build in some reflection time to re-balance energy levels. 

A quick note on Ambiverts: Ambiverts are often referred to as the “best of both worlds” personality type as they have tendencies from both extroversion and introversion. Studies show that around 2/3 of the population can fall into this category. Ambiverts feed off the energy of those around them but also relish a quiet environment. Depending on where you fall on the introvert /extrovert spectrum, you may find that the extrovert or introvert tips may resonate better with you. Or, your mood may change from day to day. Pick and choose from tips for both introverts and extroverts to find what suits you. 

If you are interested in finding out if you are an extrovert or introvert-get in touch as I’m a registered MBTI (Myers Briggs Type Indicator) Practitioner and can facilitate a test for you. 

Ivar Haakonson

Bachelor of Business Administration/Accounting- BBA at BHSU Funding Specialist -- Synchrony Bank

1y

Thank you for this article. I appreciate your advice and will be implementing a lot of it. My productivity and motivation has suffered as a permanent work from home employee. It's awesome to know there are ways to work around the isolation!

This has just been sent to me but it is brilliant. As an extreme extrovert I often feel like I want to jump into the camera and the virtual meeting room! This resonated and had some good tips. Thanks!

Andrew Cullinane

Strategic Communications and HR Professional - Public Sector

3y

Just read this after an interesting dialogue on being an extrovert and working from home permanently - some great points made here and also some practical advice for those of us adapting less well to this environment. Thank you Fiona.

Catherine Phelan

Regional HR Business Partner at Mars Wrigley Europe

4y

Really insightful. Thanks Fiona!

James Bannigan - MBS

Business Development Manager, EMCC Accredited Coach (Practitioner)

4y

Thanks Fiona great read and really useful advise there.

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