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Three Techniques for “Introverting” the Coworking Space

Visit NextSpace Union Square and you will probably spot a guy typing furiously with his head down and headphones on, hunched in a corner of the café space. You might also meet a chatty woman in the kitchen who will know your first pet’s name (and probably entire life story) by the time you cream-and-sugar your coffee.

That’s the nature of our space (and all NextSpace’s): our members are diverse, and we love ‘em for it. Though it can be argued that coworking typically comes easier for extroverts, we like to think that there’s no preference for either introvert or extrovert here. As we see it, a NextSpace member is a part of our community, and as long as they respect and contribute to the whole, we welcome embrace all working styles.

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Charity Yoro standing in the NextSpace Union Square Cafe

Myself, Charity Yoro, standing in the NextSpace Union Square Cafe

However, as a self proclaimed introvert, I think there needs to be a focused shift in the coworking industry towards being more inclusive of the introverted. According to the latest research, one third to one half of us are introverts. That means there are at least four introverts sitting in our café right now, and around 50 in our overall membership. There are coworking spaces developed specifically for introverts but I think all coworking spaces can make some strategic changes and adapt to accommodate this need. Here are three techniques that we have found to be effective at NextSpace:

1. Stop, collaborate, and listen. Yes, we know collaboration spurs creativity and innovation. But it also needs to develop naturally—and what is natural for one person (an extrovert, for example), may not come as naturally for another, say introvert. We can’t force the NextSpace Effect [1]. We have to let it happen. For some members this may mean attending every member lunch, Next Talk, and happy hour. And for others it might happen quietly, within the safe confines of their inbox when they respond to a community list email. Either way it’s important for our members not to feel bad about not participating in the traditional sense of the word, and to feel okay about saying no to our planned events sometimes. (“Sometimes” being the operative word. We hope to see you at least once!)

2. Make privacy a priority. As Jason Feifer of Fast Company puts it, work is “a vacillation between collaboration and solitary exploration. One isn’t useful without the other.” Our space at Union Square is designed with this in a mind: finding that perfect balance of socialization and solitude for each of our members. For introverts, this means an emphasis on the latter–and that’s totally fine with us. Find that quiet, cozy nook and get sh*t done. Then come grab a beer with us on Friday at 3:58pm.

3.  Read and research. For introverts looking for ways to maintain their personal boundaries within a shared working space, there are plenty of resources that provide helpful tips, and informative videos like David Kelley’s TED Talk on creative confidence and Susan Cain’s video on the power of introverts. As a community manager I make it part of my job to stay informed on the latest trends and techniques to keep my community welcoming and productive for all types of workers.

Don’t get us wrong: we love our loud, left-brained creatives just as much as our quiet, contemplative counterparts. Its what keeps our NextSpace community balanced and what makes us unique. As one introvert puts it: “Everyone should have equal access to productive silence and serendipitous chaos.” We agree. Productive and serendipitous: isn’t that just another way of describing the NextSpace Effect?

- Charity Yoro, Community Builder, NextSpace Coworking Union Square


[1] Members finding ways to connect, catalyze, and create new ideas.


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