Are you an introvert or extrovert? Experts say half the population could fit in a NEW category
THERE’S nothing like a party where you don’t know anyone to determine which personality category you fall into – introvert or extrovert.
Stick to the sidelines nursing a drink, and you’re definitely an introvert, while extroverts make new friends and immediately drag them onto the dance floor.
But it turns out there's a forgotten middle child sitting between the two: the ambivert.
More flexible in nature and able to navigate different social interactions with ease, ambiverts can have major success according to Adam Grant, a Wharton School of Business researcher.
He coined the term the "ambivert advantage" after assessing whether extroverted people were better in the world of sales than introverted people.
And he believes more than half of the population is ambiverted - and those that are likely have no idea.
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What is an ambivert?
While an introvert gets their energy from spending time alone or with very close family, extroverts are social butterflies - and ambiverts sit firmly in the middle.
“Ambiverts naturally tend to balance and regulate themselves with a mix of time alone, time with others, time at home and time out and about,” says , clinical psychologist and author.
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“They are more likely to feel comfortable with a good mix of all these settings.”
As Adam found, in sales, ambiverts "naturally engage in a flexible pattern of talking and listening".
They are more inclined to "listen to customers’ interests and less vulnerable to appearing too excited or overconfident".
How do I know if I am one?
If you struggle to fit into one personality bracket, you are probably an ambivert.
, a neuro linguistic programming and coach trainer, believes ambiverts can adjust to different situations more easily than introverts and extroverts.
“Thinking things through before talking is also a common trait of an ambivert and maximising on this can be helpful,” she says.
“They are very good listeners and will not tire of listening to someone's problems, making them very trustworthy.
“They can also be in two completely different situations - a party full of people and a room alone, and still feel content.”
The pros and cons of being an ambivert
Combining the confidence of an extrovert and the wallflower charm of an introvert, ambiverts have a recipe for success.
Adam’s research found ambiverts pulled in 24 per cent more revenue than introverts, and 32 per cent more revenue than extroverts.
That's largely because ambiverts tend to be because they're assertive without being overbearing or overconfident.
“Those with both outgoing and timid qualities are able to adjust to the temperature of their audience and flex to get the optimal results,” says Dr Marianne.
“All personality traits exist on a spectrum and someone at the extreme end of the introvert continuum may find a full-on extrovert just a bit too much to take.
“Of course, the reverse is also true, an introvert without much scope for adapting may struggle to hold the attention of a more extrovert audience.
“So, in a nutshell, ambiverts may find it easier to rub along well with most people which, in turn, may pay rich rewards.”
Although having the best of both worlds may seem like a win-win situation, Rebecca warns that people may struggle with the inability to put ambiverts in a box.
“People can misunderstand ambiverts as they may think they are acting differently in different situations, like a social chameleon, which can be confusing for someone who may be on the introvert or extrovert scale, as they won’t always understand the behaviour.”
'Being an ambivert made me a successful businesswoman'
Ruth Kudzi, is an author, a podcast host and coaching trainer (ruthkudzi.com)
“I have always had a balance of extrovert and introvert features within my personality - I believe this mix has helped me become the successful business woman I am today.
“Having worked in highly stressful senior leadership roles in education and high-energy sales roles, I am no stranger to pressure and being at the forefront.
“Although I could be extroverted when needed - on a stage, in front of a classroom or presenting - when I was amongst people, I'd also take a step back and be quiet and analytical.
“I feed on the energy of others and love leading a team and helping people - but I also yearn for my own quiet time and my own space.
“I think being in the middle as an ambivert allows me to be balanced and have an empathetic approach, which is great for my coaching business - it also means I don’t sway too heavily in either direction and I'm more approachable to a wider audience.
“I love that I have created my business to match my ambivert style - my day can go from having supportive and personal one to one coaching calls to being filmed for my YouTube channel or speaking on global platforms and stages - this balance suits me to a tee.”
How do I become an ambivert?
The chances are, if you are an extrovert, you may already be in the process of becoming an ambivert, as scientists have found we become more introverted as we age.
Psychologists call this phenomenon “intrinsic maturation” and it means our personalities mellow as we get older.
“Our brains are fully developed from roughly around the age of 25,” Dr Marianne explains.
“Personalities however are malleable and recent research has found they remain so until the age of 66.
“However, if we're self-reflective and you focus on what you want to amplify and what you want to mute, we can switch personality types.
“Modelling and emulation can play an important part for both extroverts and introverts looking to make changes.
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“If you know someone who has more of the traits and characteristics you would like, then it’s okay to hold them in mind and think about how they would handle a situation.
“It can be useful to spend time talking with them or listening to them on podcasts etc. until you have internalised the attributes you aspire to.”