Happiness at Work

                         Being an introvert in the workplace

Last Wednesday we were happy to welcome the corporate rebels, Pim and Joost at Fontys, who quit their jobs to do research on the issue “happiness at work”.

They made us curious by addressing a couple of really interesting issues 
like e.g. the historical background of women at work. As Pim and Joost are
very open-minded, the audience did not hesitate to ask questions about their personal experience as well.

One of the first questions, that we were asked was: “what is important for you to feel happy at the workplace?” As we are a group with people of different nationalities and    personalities (Korea, Hong Kong, Turkey, Netherlands, Germany), the expectations are diverse, sometimes even contrasting. While some students need clear instructions and accept hierarchies within the organization, others believe to feel more comfortable in start-ups, where power is distributed equally. When we were talking about wages, the group agreed, that an average standard of living should be affordable, but high wages itself are not the decisive motivational factor.

Due to my personal background and a very recommendable book that I recently read (Quiet: The Power of Introverts In A World That Can´t Stop Talking, by Susan Cain http://www.theguardian.com/books/2012/mar/22/quiet-power-introverts-susan-cain-review), I would like to comment on the trend of increasing efficiency by creating open offices with ever changing seat arrangements in order to facilitate group work.

A number of internationally successful operating companies, such as Google
 and Zappos, emphasize how important it is to develop a strong group cohesion. Staff retention has been being an important issue, especially during the last years. No doubt, a harmonious climate, friendly behavior and personal relations contribute to a positive atmosphere and therefore higher commitment and productivity.
Communal meals, after-work-drinks together and events organized by the company at the weekend, appear desirable.
But what about those, who get their energy from spending time on their own? Those, who have brilliant ideas when they are alone?
Would  Albert Einstein, Steve Wozniak or Bill Gates have developed their ideas sitting in a shared office full of people discussing their plans for the weekend? Probably not!

An increase of freedom, possibilities to work at home and control over the physical environment, are the first steps towards a future of work, where not only extraverts feel comfortable. (http://www.theguardian.com/money/2013/mar/02/working-from-home-heather-mcgregor)

Introverts are mostly versed in interpersonal relations, but they are not very outgoing. The major part of them have experienced rejection during their childhood and seek for inner peace and happiness at a workplace, where respect of different temperaments is part of the organizational culture.

Those creative minds must be supported by being provided a workplace where they feel sheltered-they are worth it.