EXTRAVERT
Extraversion or extrovert behaviour is a preference to focus on the world outside the self. Extroverts enjoy social interactions and tend to be enthusiastic, verbal, assertive, and animated. They enjoy large social gatherings, such as parties and any kind of group activity. Extraverts are likely to enjoy time spent with people and find themselves energized by social interaction.
Individuals possessing this personality type are active, informal, lively, sociable, practical, appear affectionate and are good conversationalists. They are habitually outgoing, venturing forth with confidence into the unknown. They appear full of energy and tend to involve themselves in a variety of pursuits. They prefer outdoor activities, relish social life and participate in many activities as they are energized by interacting with friends and strangers alike. They are generally good leaders, and they live in the present, concentrating on current activity. These individuals adapt easily to a given situation and their behavior is largely influenced by the dynamic energy of their outside world, as they react to the here and now, and do not tend to worry about what is around the corner, or brood about the future. Extroverts enjoy social situations and even seek them out since they enjoy being around people. Their ability to make small talk makes them appear to be more socially adept.
Extroverts are great at thinking on their feet and relatively comfortable with conflict. They enjoy stimulating environments that provide them with frequent opportunities to see and speak with others. When they are in a quiet environment, they will be prone to boredom and restlessness. Most people believe that an extrovert is a person who is friendly and outgoing. While true to an extent, a more accurate description of an extrovert is a person who is energized by being around other people. They find that their energy is sapped when they spend too much time alone and they recharge by being social. This is what makes them tick and leads extroverts to generally seek socialization, constant interaction, novelty and adventure.
When given the chance, an extrovert will engage in conversation with someone else, even a stranger rather than sit alone and engage in deep thought. In fact, extroverts tend to think as they speak, and very often think best when they are talking. Concepts just don’t seem real to them unless they can talk about them; simply reflecting on them is not enough.
AMBIVERT
The lesser known personality type “ambivert” is a good balance between introversion and extroversion, one that falls in the middle of the introverted-extroverted spectrum. While the extroverts are brash, outgoing and impulsive and the introverts being introspective, quiet and reserved; “ambiversion” describes people who display both extrovert and introvert tendencies depending on the situation. In many ways, Ambiverts have the best of both worlds, and are able to tap into the strengths of both introverts and extroverts as needed.
Ambiverts move between being social or being solitary, speaking up or listening carefully, with greater ease than either extroverts or introverts. They have a wider range of skills and can connect with a wider range of people. On the spectrum of social interaction, they sit right in between the introverts and extroverts. They love interacting with people, but in a very purposeful way. Excessive socialization tires them. Ambiverts are also very capable of doing things alone, but spending an entire day alone can cause them to be depressed and restless. Ambiverts can have extremely animated and interactive conversations, or mellow and meditative ones. Ambiverts will defend both their personal time as well as their social time. They act like extroverts in social situations and introverts when alone. Ambiverts recharge their energy levels with a mixture of social interaction and alone time. As a result, they have a more balanced, or nuanced personalities.
Ambiverts need time and space to process things on their own, but they also need people who they can trust to process things with externally. In order for Ambiverts to fully process information, they usually need both. Ambiverts seek breadth of knowledge and influence, but dive deep when they are truly passionate about a subject. They can be thought-oriented or action-oriented, depending on the situation, but they are also often both. As such they tend to do well, adapting to any situation that they are placed in. Ambiverts know when to be outgoing, and when to be reflective.
The challenge for Ambiverts is finding one thing to stick with. Because Ambiverts do well socially and individually, it’s easy for an Ambiverts to become the jack of all trades, having knowledge in many different areas but not necessarily an expert in any one of them.
INTROVERT
Introversion is a preference to focus on the world inside the self. Introverts are highly aware of their inner world of perceptions, thoughts, ideas, beliefs, and feelings. They are also highly aware of their surroundings, noticing details that others don’t see. However, they are not quick to discuss their thoughts, feelings or observations, as they prefer to internalize them. They involve themselves minimally in activities which demand their direct interaction with a large group of people.
Introverts tend to be quiet, calm and deliberate and find social gatherings draining. They dislike small talk and insignificant chatter. They enjoy activities they can do alone or with just a few others. Those with an introverted personality tend to be deep thinkers. They enjoy exploring subjects deeply and thoroughly and are likely to be more knowledgeable that they let on. They however, prefer to remain passive and avoid being in the limelight. It’s not surprising, then, that introverts do not brag about their achievements or knowledge. Although introverts are quiet, they will talk incessantly if they’re interested in the topic. If given a choice, introverts would rather express their ideas in writing than in speech.
Introverts need a lot of personal space. Being around others is tiring for them so they need time alone in order to regain some of their energy. They think before they speak, are cautious, and enjoy solitude. They feel energized when focusing on a subject or activity that is of interest to them. In contrast, they feel overwhelmed when surrounded by noise and crowds. Time alone, one-on-one conversations and predictable situations are more likely to be pleasant for introverts. They tend to listen more than they talk and are excellent listeners.
It is not easy for introverts to make new friends because getting to know someone takes so much energy. However, introverts don’t need a wide circle of friends. They prefer one or two close friends, even though they may know many people and have a large number of acquaintances. While introverts may appear to lack social skills or be antisocial, neither is true. Their style of social interaction is simply different from that of extroverts.
