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0 pointsgspr6y ago0 comments

> Extrovert / introvert. You're clearly more towards the extrovert part of the spectrum.

That's the thing: I don't consider myself very extroverted! Probably on the extrovert side of the scale, but very moderately so!

> Please try to have empathy for people on the introverted part of the spectrum who cannot fathom being forced into an office with tons of people distracting them all day every day. Heretofore they (save for a lucky few like me) have been forced to not just fathom it, but live it.

Oh I do, I really do. I guess I'm just a bit (selfishly) scared of what awaits people like me in the future.

If we allow ourselves a lot of optimism, workplaces will see the need to accommodate both kinds of people to a great extent :-)

> Honestly, your post reads pretty heavily to me of "status quo privilege bias". You fit the current status quo very well, and are expressing worry that a change to that status quo would hurt you, with out extending empathy to those the current status quo hurts badly.

You may be right, but to defend myself on this point I think it is in part fueled by the overwhelmingly positive press WFH seems to be getting in this crisis. Nobody is writing articles exhalting the virtues of regular offices (rightly so), and I guess I have all this praising of WFH a bit stuck in my throat at this point - it leaves me thinking "is it me there's something wrong with?"

> The world is not going to flip to fully remote work. It's likely going to inch towards remote work being more prevalent or available.

I guess I'm just afraid it'll be a reinforcing cycle driven by potential real-estate savings on the part of both employers and employees, and infrastructure savings on the part of society.

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4 comments · 2 top-level

dbingham6y ago· 2 in thread

Well, here are two things to think about that may salve your fears:

1) There are just as many extroverts as introverts. You are very much not alone in your desires.

2) Management is overwhelmingly extroverts, because of the people managing required in the management profession. The C-Suite is almost entirely extroverts.

danaris6y ago

> because of the people managing required in the management profession

While I agree with the rest of your statements, I disagree with this.

Management is overwhelmingly extraverts because extraversion lends itself very strongly to the kind of elbow-rubbing that our culture sees as more important than performance for determining suitability for raises, promotions, and such.

I know some introverted people who are absolutely brilliant people managers. They understand leadership and what people need so much better than any extraverted manager I've ever personally met.

For all too many people, management isn't even about "people managing". It's about being on a power trip. And this applies triple to the C suite.

dbingham6y ago

Fair critique.

For the record, I'm an introverted manager (and seemingly a decent one judging by my record and the feedback I receive). I do find the people managing aspects to be pretty exhausting (though also fulfilling and totally worthwhile).

hellisothers6y ago

I have a similar reaction to the WFH hype. I prefer to be in the office but can WFH fine as long as I can interact with others remotely but I’m chafing a little at the “See I told you WFH works, companies will change their mind on WFH policies and the future will be glorious!”

I think it comes from discussions as if there is a right to WFH and they’re owed it which can come off a little self righteous and off putting.

The status quo bias is an interesting point, thanks for bringing that up.

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