Do Introverts at Your Office Have a Place to Recharge?

Open offices are supposed to be collaborative. But for introverts, they can be nerve-wracking and exhausting.

30 to 50 percent of the workforce have introverted behaviors, says Susan Cain, author of Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking. These individuals get their energy from quiet time alone. Busy, boisterous open layouts can place extra stress on the nervous systems of introverts, preventing them from focusing or thinking creatively.

Experts suggest building “quiet spaces” into office designs to help this overlooked but equally skilled segment of the workforce flourish, as well as provide a break from distraction for the entire team. These spaces offer privacy as well as muted coloring and lighting so workers have options -- and a refuge if workers need it.

We toured the Steelcase furniture showroom to learn more about these quiet spaces and how they can help any worker recharge. Learn more about what you could add to your workspace in this in this short video.