New employee whose work is good but very quiet/shy

[quietbutgood]

What would you do if you were the line manager for someone in their 20s in an entry-level role who started 4 months ago and is working to a really good standard and is working at a level higher than expected for that role, yet is really quiet and shy?

They are able to speak up in meetings but their contributions are small and matter-of-fact and they don't really join in with the small talk. They attend some but not all of the team socials, but they are very quiet during these. Sometimes instead of joining the team for lunch they will go off to a coffee shop on their own.

The rest of the team is very close and very sociable.

The job is office-based with the employee working on a variety of projects for clients. Part of the role involves presenting work to clients in meetings which this employee hasn't yet done but will need to soon.

I'd do nothing? Their work is good they just don't want to spend their lunch breaks with colleagues. I don't blame them.

I'd do absolutely nothing. They're completing the work to an acceptable standard, they're joining in with meetings and social events. There's nothing for you to do.

Why do they need to join the team for lunch? Sounds like a very claustrophobic work environment. I'd be doing nothing other than the usual checking on how they feel about their new job etc.

Is this a reversaroo?

This would be me. If their work is good, how is their being quiet and shy any of your business? Being forced to join in would actually cause me to have a meltdown - I'm autistic.

It's good that she is confident enough that she doesn't join in when it could make her feel uncomfortable

Reverse?

Don't criticise them for being quiet. They can't fake being outgoing. Draw on their strengths as a quieter type and value them.

I would do nothing at all.... why would you🤷
If you have problems with their presenting later down the line then you can address it then..... you don’t have to be a social butterfly and extrovert to be Good at your job..... neither should there be any expectation on a staff member to eat lunch with colleagues....but I expect this is a reverse

She could be an introvert and going to a coffee shop for lunch isn’t her being unsociable, it’s taking time to recharge her batteries.

If she’s working well to a high standard you needn’t pressure her into forced socialising.

Have they completed their probation and have you talked about expectations and development? Are they aware they'll need to do client presentations? I would offer support if they feel they want or need it and let them get on with things. Their personality is different from their colleagues' I don't think that's a concern. Some people take longer to open up and become more sociable. Some never do. As long as they do the job and are not rude to colleagues leave them to it.

If you believe they are very different from how they were at interview maybe there's something going on outside work, but it's not your business unless there's an impact on their work.

Nothing other than ask if they needed any help with public speaking techniques.

As long as their work is fine, you don't need to do anything.

I would hate to be expected to have team lunches and multiple social events on a regular basis.

Leave them alone

Why force a possible introvert to interact. That would be my worst nightmare

I would respect their ways of working and the fact that just because they have a different personality to me / my team, that in no way makes them less effective

Initiate a professional chat re approach to presentations if you like - ask them if they’d value any input / guidance or review of their plan and then leave them to it.

Hate these assumptions that there’s something wrong with quiet people 🙄

Nothing? They’re doing their job perfectly well?

Forced mateyness at work is pretty awful to be honest. Some people are just introverted like that. There’s nothing wrong with doing your job and then going home.

Sounds like they’re a great employee and nothing needed

Based on your username, it's you isn't it

This is a reverse, sorry! I just wanted to see your responses without you sympathising or empathising with me.

Every meeting with my manager they tell me my actual work is good, but I'm sitting on tenterhooks waiting for the "BUT, you are too quiet" that was written in every school report of mine from nursery to A-Levels.

I wanted to see if the impression was if I needed to change or if I was at risk of being disciplined or something for being quiet/shy or whether I was giving a bad impression of myself.

Ffs leave them alone. You don't own them. You are paying them for their work, not their soul. You need to address your own managerial boundaries first.

That was me in my 20s and I was diagnosed (high functioning) autistic in my 30s.

I don't get the problem really but I also know that in some teams, they're looking more for friends than people who are really really good at their jobs.

This has to be a reverse.

Has your manager indicated to you that something needs to be done?

So no-one has actually indicated that this is a problem? Stop worrying about it.

Nothing. This person is in their early 20s, they've probably got nothing in common with a load of older people- assuming you are, I'd have been the same at that age. I find teams where they know the minutiae of each others lives bloody weird.

What makes you think the employee won’t be able to present to clients? Their work has been above expectations to date, they contribute in meetings and are professional.
Even if the person has never presented before, it shouldn’t be an issue as the role is an entry level one where experience is not required?
Going to numerous social events and having lunch together every day isn’t everyone’s cup of tea.