Everyone has heard the words “introvert” and “extrovert“, but how many of us have heard “ambivert“? Of those of us who have heard it, do we really know what it means? Most people in the world know what they are, “Oh, I’m totally an introvert”, or “I love talking! I must be an extrovert.” Whether we know this from a personality quiz, or just because we have a hunch, most people know where they stand.
But what if I told you there was a third option? Maybe you’re neither–maybe you’re an ambivert. Wait…what’s an ambivert again?
Sounds like that could maybe apply to a lot of people, its a pretty vague definition, so how do you know if you really are an ambivert? There are a bunch of quizzes available for you to take, one is even form BuzzFeed, but here are a few questions from TalentSmart that are pretty telling.
- I can perform tasks alone or in a group. I don’t have much preference either way.
- Social settings don’t make me uncomfortable, but I tire of being around people too much.
- Being the center of attention is fun for me, but I don’t like it to last.
- Some people think I’m quiet, while others think I’m highly social.
- I don’t always need to be moving, but too much down time leaves me feeling bored.
- I can get lost in my own thoughts just as easily as I can lose myself in a conversation.
- Small talk doesn’t make me uncomfortable, but it does get boring.
- When it comes to trusting other people, sometimes I’m skeptical, and other times, I dive right in.
- If I spend too much time alone, I get bored, yet too much time around other people leaves me feeling drained.
So what side of the spectrum do you fall onto? Are you more introvert or extrovert than you really are ambivert? Each title has its own benefits, but sometimes its nice to know there’s been a third option all along.
BoweryJE22
I really appreciated that Pink thinks ambiverts are great salespeople. I have never felt particularly defined as either introvert or extrovert – ambivert fits me just right. i think a good balance between introversion and extroversion is essential to sales.
Until this class, I had never heard of the term ambivert. I always new I was between an extrovert and introvert, but wasn’t sure that there was an exact title for this description. I can definitely see why the best salespeople are ambiverts. Through there introverted side they can internalize what their clients are saying and can be attentive listeners. While, through their extroverted side they can successfully carry on a personalized conversation.