Here are three office design tips to cater to both introverted and extroverted employees.
There are many different systems for analyzing and quantifying work habits, personality types, and communication styles. One common classification is whether someone gets energy from being alone or with others; whether someone is an introvert or an extrovert. While introverts and extroverts often have vastly different ways of working, communicating, and collaborating, there are a few ways that employers can facilitate cooperation through office design. Here are three office design tips to cater to both introverted and extroverted employees.
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Tips for Introverts
Folks who are introverted often prefer to work alone or in pairs. They value quiet, private spaces in which to work. Offices which cater to introverts should offer many individual workstations. Cubicles or other barriers which prevent distraction from coworkers are useful, as are private offices with doors. A well-meaning extrovert can be detrimental to an introvert’s productivity and creativity. However, introverts are not all hermits one hundred percent of the time. Having common areas with limited seating can allow a pair of introverts to collaborate one-on-one and focus without being mobbed by other employees.
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Tips for Extroverts
Extroverts derive their energy from working with and being around others; solitude can leave extroverted employees drained and listless. By providing large common work areas, you allow your extroverted employees to work together and work around others. Extroverts do not have to be working on the same project as a coworker to benefit from their presence. Open floor plans and places where people can naturally congregate will serve extroverts well. Not everyone will gravitate towards a center conference table; having smaller satellite areas in which to work benefits extroverts as well.
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Designing a Space for Both to Work Together
Combining characteristics of spaces for introverts and extroverts can be tricky, but the resulting workspace can be very rewarding when designed properly. Giving introverts and extroverts spaces to work together is vital, and while the two groups don’t always work well together, introverted employees and extroverted employees can be extremely productive when given the right space in which to work together.
Choose Edwards & Hill for Your Office Furniture and Design Needs
Are you ready to redesign your offices to maximize productivity and creative thinking? Edwards & Hill can help you design and install the perfect designs for your business. Edwards & Hill is a leading office, education, medical, and hospitality furniture provider with the high-quality design and installation services for any style or scale. If you are ready to get your office design started, contact us online or give us a call at 301-317-4250. For more furniture design tips, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Pinterest, Flickr, and YouTube.
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