How to Thank Introverted ESS This Festive Season
What is an Introvert?
According to www.urbandictionary.com: An introvert is a person who is energised by spending time alone. Often found in their homes, libraries, quiet parks or other secluded places, introverts like to think and be alone. Contrary to popular belief, not all introverts are shy. Some may have great social lives and love talking to their friends, but just need some time to be alone to “recharge” afterwards.
Some of your Education Support Staff and customers at your school will be introverted, and December can leave them feeling anxious and drained of energy. Why?
It’s socialising season! The invitations start rolling in for lunches, drinks, BBQ’s and parties and whilst many people love the group festivities, an introvert who receives an invitation to socialise, may wish you hadn’t bothered.
If you’re an introvert, you will understand the mixed emotions that bubble up when invited to socialise. It’s wonderful to be recognised and thanked for your work and be rewarded for your efforts, but the idea of a social event makes you tired just thinking about it.
You want to say no, but you fear you will offend or be considered rude. A work event on its own may be fine, but in December, you have invitations coming from friends and family too. Christmas lunch on its own can be enough to send a dedicated introvert under the table while extroverted Uncle Barry dances on it.
Here are my five ideas to help you engage and thank your introverted ESS (and customers) this year.
1. Build a personal profile.
Consider each employee’s personal likes/dislikes, i.e. sports clubs or individual sports people they follow, books they like to read, artists or music they enjoy, events they attend, charities they support or games they love to play. (This information will also help you to determine if they are introverted or extroverted.) Aim to find out one piece of information a month, and by the end of the year, you should be able to provide them with a gift they will really appreciate. Start now for next year.
2. Give rather than receive.
Could you and your team volunteer or donate funds to a charity instead of paying for a staff function? This type of “gift” could mean so much more than free food and drinks. Invite staff for input to select who, what, when, where, why and how they support.
3. Make it optional.
Help an introvert feel comfortable saying no by offering a social activity with an optional non-social activity. “Would you prefer to attend a social gathering at the end of the year or receive a movie voucher/book/gift voucher or time off to volunteer?” Introverts may be happy to get together but show more interest in a quieter location that allows them to talk without yelling and sit in smaller groups.
4. Include Name Tags.
Part of the difficulty an introvert experiences in social situations is small talk, particularly with co-workers or customers they don’t know very well. Name tags are a great way to help. Pop a number on the name tags too. The number can represent that person’s years of service, number of pets, number of children, or simply their favourite number. Guessing or asking what the number represents helps start conversations.
5. Ask for suggestions.
Survey your staff to find out what they really want to receive as a reward or thank you for their work or to celebrate a successful year. You may be surprised at the responses, and the information makes choosing a breeze; you know what is guaranteed to delight.
Whatever you choose, remember that, like your customers, your ESS want to feel valued and appreciated.
We do this best by listening, asking questions, and remembering; excellence is many small things done well, and it is not a one-size-fits-everyone process.
The team at Just For Schools wishes you all a very safe and happy festive season.
By Cate Schreck