How to work effectively with an extroverted boss - Introvert Whisperer

Introvert Whisperer / How to work effectively with an extroverted boss - Introvert Whisperer How to work effectively with an extroverted boss As an introvert in the workplace, having an extroverted boss can often be a delicate balancing act. Between check-ins, updates and casual chats you’re also prioritising your need for solitude. Extroverted bosses can be great to work with, but excessive meetings and frequent phone calls can become tedious especially for introverts who need to stay absorbed in their work. If you’re finding that you’re experiencing too many interruptions, it might be time to speak up. Here are some tips to help you work more effectively with an extroverted boss: The overly-chatty boss Occasional small-talk is always welcome in a friendly office but if your boss is the talkative type, it can start to interfere with your work. Meetings can go on for a lot longer than they should, phone conversations exceedingly one-sided and weekly catch-ups begin to dig into your work time. Without being confrontational, explain to your boss that you’re on a tight deadline and that you can’t be held up in meetings. The good thing about these meetings is that you can voice your concerns to your boss by saying something like “is it alright if I sit this meeting out tomorrow? I’ve got some urgent tasks that I need to do by the end of the day”. Don’t make it about them, instead make it about your work efficiency. Also, do not be afraid to interrupt your boss mid-conversation, especially if he or she is going off on a tangent that is unrelated to work. You could say something like “what was that thing you mentioned earlier, about the project I’m working on? I still have a few tasks to get done on it and your input would be great.” You can also avoid a prolonged conversation by saying “great point, I’ll write that down” (without being rude, of course!) The brainstorm-loving boss For an introvert, a long brainstorming session is an energy drain at the best of times, but some managers thrive when they get input from other team members. The difficulty with brainstorming sessions for thinking introverts is that they require very little (if any) preparation as well as bouncing ideas off one another as they come. Extroverts like to verbalise their thoughts using the team’s interaction as a spring board for their own ideas. If you’re finding yourself attending way too many of these sessions, try talking to your boss about cutting down to just once a week or every two weeks as needed. Say something like “I’m better at planning ideas in advance and brainstorm sessions aren’t my greatest strength. If you like I can think through some ideas over the week and present them to you in our next meeting.” A good boss will understand and appreciate that you are honest about the way you like to work. The “too many meetings” boss One of the main indicators of an extroverted boss is their desire to be around people and to seek the input of others in decision-making. Like the brainstorm-loving boss, this type of boss enjoys conducting meetings and having their team collaborate. Sometimes though, these meetings never seem to end. While you may not be able to completely avoid them in the office, you can suggest standing meetings (where everyone stands instead of sitting, which can speed things up), or a more structured agenda. Before a meeting begins, you can tell your boss that after the hour is done you have some urgent tasks that require your attention for the day. Hopefully this will help your manager understand that not all meetings need to be several hours long. The team building boss Every now and then you might be expected to mingle with your team or the wider company, and that’s great. A good manager will always try to bring his or her team together, but an over-emphasis on socialising can be counter-productive for some people. The best thing to do is talk to your boss. Let them know that you (and your team) find these activities quite draining and ask whether they can limit them to just a few times a year. Nobody should ever be compelled to take part in team building exercises if they don’t want to. The highly expressive boss Extroverts are often more outwardly expressive than introverts and tend to make a better show of their feelings. Introverts are less likely to show their enthusiasm or disappointment, which makes it hard for extroverts to read them. You can run into misunderstandings if your boss starts to think you are unhappy or unmotivated. If your boss is showing concern, let them know that you are a quiet person (something they are probably aware of) and that you are perfectly happy in your role. Extroverts can be very empathetic people, so by addressing their concerns this way you can put their mind at ease. Life in an office environment can be like a stage act, so it’s worth making a bit more of an effort to appear enthused in the presence of your boss. We all have to play our part, but when each of us comes to understand one another we are that much closer to being ourselves. Talk to your boss about your ideal work environment Extroverts enjoy being around people and can be quite in-tune with the feelings of others. If your boss is an otherwise great manager, he or she will understand if you want to chat or voice your concerns about your work. Many extroverts like helping other people, which is why many of them become managers in the first place. Your boss may or may not understand your introverted nature, and they might be doing for you what they wish others did for them. It’s true that introverts and extroverts work differently, but that doesn’t mean they can’t work together. In fact, they can make for a diverse and highly effective team. Author Bio Emily Gorsky is an introvert and writer for Open Colleges focusing on career and education. She strongly believes in living a balanced life. Her mission is to inspire others to engage in self-motivated learning and build their own path to success. Go to top Power-Influence-Office Politics: it comes down to your Strategic Relationships and understanding of how you build each one of these elements. I want to help you accelerate your career by connecting you with your Free Instant Access to my video that outlines all of this and meaningful actions you can take today!  Start watching now by clicking here! 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