Introvert or extrovert? Finding the ideal workplace

More and more people are seeing the ability to work from home as an advantage, according to a blog from major UK electrical retailer Ebuyer. But how do different employees prefer to work? What kind of work environment do people who are more introverted prefer, and what kind of environment do extroverts feel comfortable in? With the help of an expert in the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, a well-known personality testing method, Ebuyer gathered a few factors that go into designing a workplace for different personalities. The following compilation shows which elements a home office or a conventional office should contain to make employees with different personality profiles feel comfortable.

If you are more extroverted

Overall, extroverts are more outgoing compared to introverts and need the opportunity to interact with other people to stay stimulated. An office shared with colleagues or a home office with many incentives to stay motivated is ideal for them.

• Space on the desk: A large desk with opportunities to move around is ideal for extroverts. Sitting on an exercise ball or using a treadmill under the desk to keep moving can be tools of choice. A standing desk is also a good way for extroverts to move around and get into work at the same time. The desk should be large and have an abstract and colorful design. It can look a bit messy, but pen holders and traditional office organization tools are ready to help when the need for organization arises.
• Ambience: Mixed bright colors and inspirational quotes will make extroverts feel comfortable. Ideally, the space should provide a pleasant environment where other people live. You need regular meetings with other team members, such as team lunches and lounge areas where people gather to talk.
• Lighting and sound: Modern lighting or even lighting effects create the right mood. Extroverts like it when upbeat music comes out of the speakers, like pop, rock or bossa nova. Turning on a TV can also be an option.
• Illustrative material and decoration: Interactive elements such as whiteboards or maps help extroverts visualize their work. Playful decoration with games and toys should be part of the workplace design.
• Company: Extroverts like to have lots of people around to talk to and attention-grabbing pets, such as a dog, to keep them busy and entertained.

If you are more introverted

Introverts typically prefer a quieter, more personal space and a minimalist design. For this reason, working from home may be a better option for some to escape the hustle and bustle of an office.

• Space on the desk: The desk for introverts should be a quiet space with minimal distractions. Some prefer a creative, cozy space or space for personal items such as books or prints hanging on the walls.
• Ambience: Overall, introverts prefer a minimal, clean environment, with some requiring smaller appliances for entertainment. They appreciate a separated personal space where they can relax and where plants provide a balanced feeling. To create this separated space, they can use room-dividing elements and furnish the room with beanbags and egg chairs for reading so they can relax during breaks.
• Light and sound: Introverts like a quiet room where there is either complete silence or only light background noise. Being able to hear relaxing sounds of a water fountain or natural white noise helps them concentrate. When music is played, they are more likely to hear classical pieces or light jazz in the background.
• Illustrative material and decoration: Introverts will benefit from bulletin boards for documents to keep the space clutter-free, and lots of plants to create a zen ambiance. The room is furnished with minimalist images that include soothing colors and shapes like shades of blue and green.
• Company: Introverts enjoy the company of a small pet that doesn't need much attention and is quiet, such as a cat or an exotic iguana. Ideally, they have a space to themselves and the ability to stay away from colleagues.

Introverted vs. extroverted is just one part of the well-known MBTI personality index. The Myers-Briggs personality test takes into account even more than just these two personality types.

Source and visualizations of office configurations: https://www.ebuyer.com/myersbriggs (in english)