In a lot of ways, remote work is the ultimate dream come true for many introverts. You don’t need to leave the house or engage in small talk with your colleagues to do your job and get paid. Nice.
Thus, it’s not surprising that WFH has enabled many introverts to excel in the workplace. That’s what happens when introverts are given enough space to focus on their tasks and to work at their own pace.
Evidently, despite their initial reticence, many introverts actually make for great colleagues. They might not be as rowdy or energetic as extroverts can be (at least not at the beginning), but with enough time, introverts can contribute a lot to meaningful discussions inside and outside of work. They also tend to be highly talented creatives, which makes them valuable assets with an increasingly digital future on the horizon.
So, it’s high time that introverts get the recognition that they deserve. Here are just a few of the ways you can do exactly that:
Remote Work as a Reward
Yep, you read that right. Remote work actually makes for a great signing bonus, especially for introverts. Aside from the lack of forced and awkward interactions, WFH allows them to work in silence all they want. Isn’t that the dream of every introverted person?
But more than this, introverts appreciate the remote setup because it allows them to be independent. In the absence of micromanaging and someone looking over their shoulder, they have more freedom to carry out their tasks as they see fit.
Provide Mental Health and Wellness Support
No matter how comfortable an introverted remote employee is with a remote work setup, it can still feel isolating at times. No man is an island, after all.
Unlike extroverts, it’s hard to tell what an introvert is thinking or feeling. Hence, it’s your job to reach out and check in on them from time to time, especially if something feels amiss.
If you feel like they’re under a lot of stress (and their work is suffering as a result), you can give them some paid time off. And if you can afford it, you can also provide them with access to online mental health services.
Be Generous With Words of Appreciation
Aside from supporting their mental health, your star introverts could also use some words of appreciation. Especially since they’re not as likely to talk about their achievements as their more extroverted colleagues are.
Sending them a direct message acknowledging a job well done should suffice. Let them know that you appreciate their individual contributions and how much their work matters to you and to the company.
Of course, if you have the resources, you can always provide additional monetary rewards or incentives. These could do wonders if your star introverts are very promising and you’d like to keep them on.
Ensure Work Flexibility in the Future
The future is digital and remote work is here to stay, even after the pandemic. Hence, even if you’re ready and eager to return to the office, many of your employees aren’t likely to feel the same. And the majority of them are likely to be introverts who’ll jump ship for any company who can offer them better terms.
Not keen to lose your key players? Offer them work flexibility, and I’m not just talking about working from home. For instance, if some of them are working parents, you may want to offer a flexible schedule. You can also do away with the usual 9-5 PM, and just evaluate their performance and results rather than the time it takes them to get those.
The more stable and secure a worker feels, the better they’ll perform at their job. So, if your remote workers can do well regardless of where they’re based or what time they start/end, give them the flexibility they deserve.
There’s no one-size-fits-all approach to rewarding high-performing employees. Introverts and extroverts, for example, likely prefer different rewards. But no matter what means you choose, the end result must still be the same: making your remote workers feel appreciated.
Remote Staff has been helping AU SMEs and entrepreneurs like you find skilled remote workers from the Philippines for more than a decade. And whether you’re looking for talented introverts or extroverts to complete your dream team, we’ve got them in our roster.
Call us today or schedule a call back so we can get started.
Serena has been working remotely and writing content for the better part of the last decade. To date, she's written for Pepper.ph and Mabuhay Magazine, among others, and has churned out more than a thousand articles on everything from The Basics of Stock Market Investing to How to Make Milk Tea-Flavored Taho at home. Hermits, aspiring hermits, and non-hermits with interesting project propositions may email her at serena.estrella10@gmail.com.
