Bringing Scientist Employees Out of Their Shells
Posted June 3rd, 2019
Most scientific teams are made up of professionals with differing personalities. Having a diverse group is actually beneficial, particularly for problem-solving and innovating. However, some of your more introverted scientists may require some assistance if you need them to come out of their shells.
Without the proper care and guidance, introverted scientists may struggle in highly collaborative situations. Their tendency may be to avoid confrontation or they may worry that, if they speak up, they may not be well-received.
Luckily, there are things you can do to help your introverted scientists shine. Here’s how to get started.
Allow for Solitude
Many introverted people feel drained after interacting with others. They need moments of respite to recharge. Otherwise, their energy levels may diminish quickly.
If you have introverted scientists on your team, make sure to give them opportunities for some solitude. This can include access to quiet spaces or solo projects, ensuring they can spend some time away from other people when the need arises. Additionally, if you need to hold a meeting with group participation, scheduling it immediately before a lunch break gives your scientists a reason to break away from the workplace once the gathering is done.
Keep Groups Small
In cases where your introverted scientist needs to work directly with others, try to keep the groups small. Often, an introvert does their best thinking when they have space to plan, though they may appreciate being able to bounce ideas off of one or two trusted coworkers.
Similarly, they tend to perform better when they don’t have to worry about hashing out details with numerous people. Working with a large team can put them under additional pressure, so try to control the size of the group and limit it to just essential personnel.
Don’t Misuse Your Introvert’s Energy
Since introverts need time between interactions to recharge, giving them additional tasks that require large groups that aren’t critical to their role may be unwise. For example, asking an introvert scientist to coordinate a large event may not be the best use of their energy. Similarly, requiring them to attend an industry function that involves a lot of networking – and could be handled by someone else – may leave them drained.
While you may need to occasionally push an introvert outside of their comfort zone, be aware of how social interactions may impact their performance. Often, an introverted scientist will feel obligated to be at their best at all times, and they may exhaust themselves while trying to meet your expectations.
Need Help With Your Career? Reach Out to Bayside Solutions!
If you would like to know more about how you can help your introvert scientific employees thrive, the skilled professionals at Bayside Solutions can help. Contact us to speak with one of our knowledgeable and experienced staff members today and see how our personnel management expertise can benefit you.
