We all have to work to support ourselves, but for introverts, jobs that involve a lot of interaction with other people can be a total nightmare.
No, not all introverts are antisocial, but there are certain parts of office culture — or company culture in general — that can be tough to deal with. If you have a naturally more inward-focused personality, chances are you downright dread these things at work.
1. Icebreaker games
Source: Unsplash Nothing makes an introvert’s stomach churn quite like being told to share an interesting fact about themselves with a room full of colleagues. It’s not that we don’t have interesting facts; we just prefer not to broadcast them to everyone we work with. Sorry, but forced fun activities often feel more like torture than team building.
2. Open-plan offices
Whoever decided that removing all barriers between workers was a good idea clearly wasn’t an introvert. The constant noise, lack of privacy, and feeling of being watched are all draining and annoying for those of us who need quiet to concentrate. It’s hard to recharge when you’re surrounded by chatter and can’t even eat your lunch in peace.
3. Unexpected phone calls
Given the ease and speed of messaging and emails, there’s something particularly jarring about a ringing phone. For many introverts, an unscheduled call feels like an ambush, forcing us into immediate social interaction without any time to prepare. We much prefer the thinking time that written communication allows.
4. Being put on the spot in meetings
There’s nothing worse than sitting in a meeting, minding your own business, when suddenly the boss asks, “What do you think?” Introverts often need time to process their thoughts before speaking, so being asked for an immediate opinion can be incredibly stressful. We may have brilliant ideas, but we prefer to share them on our own terms.
5. Networking events
The very word ‘networking’ makes many introverts, myself included, roll their eyes. The idea of entering a room full of strangers and being expected to make small talk is overwhelming. It’s not that we don’t want to connect with people; we just find it exhausting and would much prefer one-on-one chats.
6. After-work social events
While we appreciate the idea behind team bonding, the thought of spending even more time with colleagues after a long day of work can be daunting, and definitely not something we feel like doing. We’ve likely used up all our social energy during the workday and are in desperate need of some alone time to recharge. Mandatory fun is rarely fun for introverts.
7. Being asked why we’re so quiet
This question, often asked with good intentions, is obnoxious, especially since we hear it so often. We’re not broken or unhappy; we just don’t feel the need to fill every silence with chatter. Being quiet is our natural state, and constantly being asked to justify it can make us feel like there’s something wrong with us.
8. Group projects
Obviously, we can work well in teams when needed, but that doesn’t mean we actually like group work. The constant need for communication, compromising on ideas, and dealing with different working styles can be challenging. We like to tackle tasks independently where we can focus without interruption.
9. Office parties
The pressure to attend, socialise, and look like we’re having a great time is our idea of torture. Sure, we might enjoy catching up with a few close colleagues, the idea of making small talk with the entire office for hours on end is exhausting. We’d often rather be at home with a good book or relaxing in front of the telly.
10. Video calls
While they’re often necessary, especially given how many people work remotely, video calls can be really draining for introverts. The feeling of being on display, coupled with the awkwardness of online interaction, can be stressful. We much prefer the relative anonymity of voice-only calls or written communication. Meetings where we don’t have to turn our cameras on are more our style. Better yet, pop it in an email!
11. Brainstorming sessions
The expectation to come up with brilliant ideas on the spot in a room full of people can be paralysing. We tend to do our best thinking in quiet, solitary environments. Group brainstorming can feel chaotic and overwhelming, meaning we’re not going to come up with our best ideas. Because of this, sometimes we don’t get to shine as brightly as we know we can. It’s too much pressure!
12. Shared workspaces
Hot-desking and shared workspaces might be trendy, but they’re an introvert’s nightmare. The lack of a personal space to retreat to, coupled with the constant change in environment and neighbours, can be really unsettling. We thrive on routine and having a quiet, familiar space to work.
13. Giving presentations
While many introverts can be great public speakers with preparation, the prospect of standing in front of a group and being the centre of attention is still daunting. The energy required to present and field questions can leave us needing major recovery time afterwards.
14. Slack, Teams, and other similar software
Tools like Slack or Microsoft Teams, while useful, can feel like a constant invasion of our mental space. The expectation of immediate responses and the ongoing chatter can be distracting and stressful. We often long for the days of simple email communication. We just want to be left alone!
15. Performance reviews
Feedback is important, of course, but the idea of sitting down for a formal discussion about our performance is anxiety-inducing. We’d much rater get written feedback that we can process in our own time, rather than an on-the-spot conversation where we might struggle to articulate our thoughts and feelings.
16. Office layout changes
Just when we’ve found our comfortable corner and established a routine, the office decides to shake things up with a new layout. Such a huge disruption to our carefully curated environment can be unsettling and make us feel exposed. We thrive on consistency and find comfort in familiar surroundings.
17. The pressure to be ‘always on’.
So many people seem to equate visibility with productivity, so the expectation to always be available, responsive, and engaged is always there, and it’s exhausting. We need time to disconnect and recharge, and the constant pressure to be ‘on’ can lead to burnout. We wish more workplaces understood that our quiet time is essential for our productivity and our mental health!
