When it comes to achieving a high staff retention rate, introverted employees play a key role.
While loud and outgoing professionals are often identified more easily, natural introverts help motivate and keep your other employees happy.
According to the work of Boris Groysberg, a professor at Harvard Business School...
'Invisible stars in many cases are more powerful than people we celebrate'.
'If you're going to lose that person, seven other people's performances decline.'
So, why is this?
How are introverted employees so significant in keeping staff retention rates at a high level?
Here's everything you need to know.
Before delving into the crux of the matter, it's vital to analyse the thought processes and behaviours of both introverts and extroverts within the workplace.
Traditionally speaking, extroverts know how to make a positive first impression as they're masters at making small talk and showcasing their achievements.
They're salespeople in their own right and aren't afraid to put themselves out there.
Whether they're socialising or working, you'll always notice an extrovert.
From a business standpoint, these types of attributes are perfect for client and customer-facing roles, as they know how to get results and interact.
An extrovert is also very accustomed to making everyone feel welcome and involved within the business.
They're ideal for generating business, building relationships and entertaining staff.
Introverts, on the other hand, play an integral role in staff retention.
Believe it or not, the characteristics of a quieter person help mould different personalities together.
Their reserved nature enables them to calculate their thoughts before saying anything.
Instead, the response from an introvert is usually calm and politically correct.
Controversy isn't in their nature.
In regards to an interview, quieter introverts don't always make a lasting impression at a first interview as they're modest.
This is something you need to look out for when hiring, as it could be the difference between missing out on a top professional or not.
Nonetheless, their shy demeanour doesn't mean they're second best to extroverts.
They just channel their skills and experience in different ways.
Introverted employees might not be the most charismatic or loudest, but they have a lot of hidden energy, knowledge and other key qualities waiting to be tapped into.
Just because an introvert doesn't spend hours chatting in the kitchen with their colleagues or may look dismissive from time to time, they're essential to the dynamic of the team.
If you give them time to acclimatise to their surroundings and make friends, they will trust people and start coming out of themselves.
Once they do this, you'll see just how dedicated and committed they are to the team.
Their colleagues will confide in them and bounce ideas off them.
They might not shout about their achievements from the rooftops, but everyone will know how important their contribution is.
Introverts will allow the more confident and louder members of staff to take the lead, which will reduce any battles of egos.
They're the middleman (or woman) who can bring teams together.
An introvert is eager to make everyone happy, so they'll do everything they can to keep people positive and working hard.
A lack of confrontation and a better working environment effectively means a higher staff retention rate.
Having too many big egos in the business will cause serious friction.
Introverts can help you achieve a solid staff retention rate by adding a balanced approach to the team.
In many cases, introverts are big haters of change, meaning they'll happily stay in one job for many years ' providing that they're happy.
Having someone who is dedicated and happy in the ranks will rub off on other staff members.
They'll remain focused and won't go off moaning about the business in their spare time.
A positive attitude is contagious and a wonderful thing for productivity.
Your job is to keep your introverted employees happy at all times.
If you ignore them or don't sing their praises from time to time, they won't feel valued.
Remember, they won't tell people about their achievements.
So, you should make the effort to do it on their behalf every so often.
Whether it's in the form of an email or picking them out in a staff meeting, it's the little things that matter to an introverted professional.
When an introverted employee leaves, you'll see the difference.
People will act differently and struggle to find a way of sharing their ideas. The balance will be gone.
To replace such an integral team member can take months and often cost a lot of money.
It's not uncommon to hire the wrong person and have to repeat the process again.
While introverted employees aren't the loudest, their qualities bring a lot of things to the table that a loud extrovert can't.
They'll make a lasting impression on the team and keep them working coherently.
This is truly priceless.
Just take the time to acknowledge and thank them for their hard work.
In return, they'll reward you with a loyalty and commitment money can't buy.
This will rub off on the wider team and help keep the business thriving.
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