FOMOs and JOMOs

We often use the terms “extrovert” and “introvert” to describe how someone relates to others, but in the workplace there is a little more to it than that. Some people really enjoy the social aspect of meetings and and office social events, but they are also the first to adopt new workplace technologies or to volunteer for so much group work that their individual work suffers. There are others for whom the three greatest words in language are not “I love you” but instead are “Meeting is cancelled.” As described by an article in The Economist, we might think of them as FOMOs (fear of missing out) and JOMOs (joy of missing out).

The FOMOs may take the lead on organizing a meeting for a project, while also arranging the cake for the monthly birthday party and coming around to everyone’s cubicle to ask if they have installed the new messaging software yet. JOMOs plug away at their work, perhaps with noise-cancelling headphones on, and may be the last to arrive at and the first to leave the company picnic. As The Economist suggested, you need both, because while the FOMOs are running from meeting to meeting, someone needs to get the work done.

If FOMOs are like dogs, barking excitedly and chasing their own tails, JOMOs are more feline. They will spring into action if a mouse is in the vicinity but, in the meantime, they are content to sit by the fire.

You cannot also find a balance between “group” and “individual,” or between “stability” and “innovation,” in every employee. So if you can, it’s better to have a mix of employees who bring the strengths of both while being able to overcome any gaps. They may not always mix well at a company party, but if you put them together in the workplace they can lead to better business results.