The concept of introvert and extrovert personality types is widespread. Most people are familiar with the idea that introverts function best when allowed plenty of time to be on their own, while extroverts do better when they work with other people. Ambivert personalities, somewhere between the two, are perhaps less well known. However, these personality types could be the key to a successful career.
Ambiverts combine traits of extroverts and introverts, allowing them to benefit from both. This can mean they are more flexible and adaptable to different situations and tasks in their professional lives. The good news is many people can allow themselves to access ambivert traits regardless of whether they seem to be more introverted or extroverted. By functioning as an ambivert in the workplace, employees can allow themselves to develop their interpersonal skills while being able to work alone, resulting in the best professional life balance.
Balance
The greatest benefit of having an ambivert personality is the balance it can bring. Instead of always being drawn to social situations or to quiet and solitude, you can function between the two. This can have positive impacts in the following ways:
- Situational awareness can be instrumental in personal and professional life. Extroverts thrive in certain situations, and introverts in others. Both groups experience struggles in situations unsuited to their personalities. An ambivert can lean into a more extroverted or introverted approach depending on what is most suitable.
- Social time tends to drain introverts and energize extroverts. An ambivert can make a choice as to whether he or she wants to attend a social gathering depending on their current mood and other factors. This means they may be less dependent on their ability to meet with other people, or to be alone, to function well.
- Intuition and judgment are necessary skills for all ambiverts. An extrovert may automatically agree to a new venture because he or she is drawn to the social and interpersonal possibilities. An introvert may turn such a venture down without much thought, knowing it may be too difficult to handle. An ambivert can use his or her judgment to make case-by-case decisions.
Earning Potential
The heightened communication skills of ambiverts can mean they have much better success in their careers, often with an increased earning potential. They can work with various personality types and are able to adapt to many different work environments and situations. They are less likely to encounter situations with the potential to hold them back, as they can utilize their introvert or extrovert nature to their best advantage when needed.
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It has been noted that ambiverts make particularly good salespeople, often allowing them to advance more quickly than introverted or extroverted colleagues. This is because an ambivert is generally outgoing enough to make a good pitch while being able to hold back and listen to the customer or client when necessary.
Working With Introverts and Extroverts
Like working with recruiters to find a job, employees need to work well with their fellow coworkers. Introverts and extroverts can sometimes have difficulty communicating with one another. Introverts may find themselves overpowered by extroverts, while extroverts may struggle to engage with introverts. Ambiverts can adapt their behaviors to suit the needs of others without it being too much of an effort.
As an ambivert, you can work well with those who need to interact socially, a situation where an introvert would struggle. You could adapt to the needs of a coworker or friend who prefers less social contact. This can not only assist you in developing personal relationships but can benefit you in the workplace. You can potentially avoid personality clashes, as well as increase your ability to develop a wide professional network.
Learned Behaviors
Ambiverts are more common than you might think, with perhaps more than two-thirds of the population potentially falling into this group. It may be impossible to calculate this number precisely, as most personalities tend to fall on a spectrum rather than into completely defined categories. For extroverts and introverts who are interested in the benefits of being an ambivert, this is good news.
To increase your ambivert tendencies, it can be a good idea to start by paying attention to your current behavior. Even if you have always thought you were an introvert or an extrovert, there is a good chance you have habits and traits that do not fall perfectly into your assumed category. Perhaps you are mostly an introvert but find you benefit from joining in with social activities every week. You may be an extrovert who likes being an active listener in conversations rather than talking yourself.
You can use these factors to delve deeper into your personality and start discovering how you could start increasing your ambiversion. It may take time and practice to adapt, but you could find yourself fitting into the ambivert set of behaviors with increasing frequency. Developing your personality and behavior is a type of free career development resource.
Dangers to Ambiverts
Those who are naturally ambiverts or interested in becoming an ambivert must be aware of the issues they may encounter. It is true there are fewer situations holding an ambivert back, as he or she does not struggle with interpersonal situations or while working alone. However, because an ambivert always needs to exercise judgment for every situation depending on his or her mood and level of energy, he or she could make the wrong decision.
You may find yourself uncertain of which side of your personality to lean into at different moments, leading to difficulties. Too many social gatherings may be easier for you to manage than an introvert, for example, but you can still become drained in a way an extrovert may not. In addition to this, others may assume you are either an introvert or an extrovert, and you may feel as though you need to meet their expectations.
It is important to be able to plan ahead so you have the correct mix of interactions and alone time for your personality blend. Ambiversion means always being in tune with your current mood and needs and being ready to pull back from situations when you need to.
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