Introvert or Extrovert - which are you?

50 replies
Personalities are our calling cards. Some of us are outgoing, risk takers, and have the willingness and ability to be quite social.

There are those of us who prefer the quieter and measured approach in life tending to remain somewhat more behind the scenes.

Both approaches to our work can be equally effective. They both have separate merits and can be equally successful.

Which style do you prefer?
#extrovert #introvert
  • Profile picture of the author Canadianajones
    Hi LastingLifeSuccess,

    I prefer the positive, outgoing social type (I fall mostly into this category) however it is my opinion that a complimentary blend of extrovert/ontrovert may allow more adaptation to any given circumstance. I also am aware that I need to work on my inner self, and that awareness is a key for personal development. That is my 2 cents and thanks for asking!
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  • Profile picture of the author Anne0521
    Hmmm...I don't know if I'm an introvert or extrovert. There are times in life that I want to be on the front line, doing everything in order to accomplish something, even dealing with high profile people in order to get what I want.

    However, sometimes I prefer to be one of the underdogs. I don't desire to gain fame or popularity..I just want peace and to be left alone. I am not a social person also. I stay at home and read my books. I don't have that much friends also....
    hmmmmm....
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  • Profile picture of the author Evocess
    I am a person who love social interactivity, new information, and outgoing.
    But sometimes I prefer to be quiet or in a silent mode.

    So I don't think that I belong extrovert nor introvert. I think I'm in the middle. haha
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    • Profile picture of the author Jonathan 2.0
      Banned
      Originally Posted by Evocess View Post

      So I don't think that I belong extrovert nor introvert. I think I'm in the middle. haha
      Lol. That would make you an Ambivert then. : ) Personally I'm more of an introvert but I'm fairly well socialized (etc.).
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      • Profile picture of the author Claude Whitacre
        It's really a false choice. I hope I don't offend anyone here.

        Nearly everyone on the planet thinks they are an introvert. Just like everyone thinks they have a sense of humor, and nearly everyone thinks they are in the top 50% for intelligence.

        People can be great leaders and still be shy. Some have a feeling of superiority over nearly everyone else, but still think of themselves as introverted.

        What are you if you simply don't care about what others think? Are you an introvert? An extrovert?

        How many people have you met that told you that they are an extrovert? Not many, I imagine.

        What am I? I actually bought a couple books on Sociopathology, to see if I was a sociopath. I guess I'm not, because one author even said that 10% of the readers are trying to answer the same question I was.

        My work puts me in front of crowds of prospects. Am I nervous? Never. Does that make me an extrovert? Nope. Because when I'm not working, I'm very quiet and have only a couple of real friends. (a few guys on the Forum may eventually be friends, if I ever meet them.) And I don't seek out more.

        I've only met a few people that are truly extroverts. They simply love social interaction. I've studied that too, but still don't completely get it.
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        • Profile picture of the author Jonathan 2.0
          Banned
          Originally Posted by Claude Whitacre View Post

          Nearly everyone on the planet thinks they are an introvert. Just like everyone thinks they have a sense of humor, and nearly everyone thinks they are in the top 50% for intelligence. .
          My frame of reference could be inaccurate, however, I always thought that extroverts are more "energized" from social interactions. (And then naturally learn more social skills.) Being an "introvert" (maybe) I know that I can get tired with too much social interaction.

          Something else I've learned is that I've definitely become more "extrovert" in the past couple of years. Social skills and being "more outgoing" (etc.) can be improved no matter which side of the scale you are.
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      • Profile picture of the author Dennis Gaskill
        Originally Posted by Jonathan 2.0 View Post

        Lol. That would make you an Ambivert then. : ) Personally I'm more of an introvert but I'm fairly well socialized (etc.).
        If people are neither an intro- or an extro- ...

        Maybe their just "verts"

        Hi Everyone, I'm a vert.

        Sorry. Some days my so-called sense of humor is just spinning recklessly, spitting out sparks of absurdity on the fly.
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        • Profile picture of the author Jonathan 2.0
          Banned
          OK. Who let Dennis out of the offtopic forum?
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          • Profile picture of the author Dennis Gaskill
            Originally Posted by Jonathan 2.0 View Post

            OK. Who let Dennis out of the offtopic forum?
            It was you, good sir. I followed the link in your signature. :p


            ...and now a lot of folks will scroll up to see the link in your signature. No need to thank me for the publicity, I'm here to help.
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  • Profile picture of the author shafinazahra
    I think there's a part to both... most of us aren't one extreme or the other... but we tend to favour one side comparatively. In addition, we tend to act differently in different circumstances and around different people....it's finding the best amongst all kinds of people I'd say
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  • Profile picture of the author MarvyDery
    I am an introvert, that's my personality and I don't think it's something bad because I was born this way
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  • Profile picture of the author SimonJBell
    On the introvert/extrovert scale I'd put myself leaning more towards introvert. But, that said, I can still have massive amounts of energy and be very sociable. I like to have my quiet time, to reflect on what's going on around me.

    A good book I highly recommend on this subject is "Quiet: The Power of Introverts" by Susan Cain. I read the book last year and so many thinks became clearer in life. The way a lot of western society "shuns" introverts that need to be "cured" is something we need to be aware of.

    The are great leaders which are introverts, and some argue that introverts make for better leaders. For one thing; they listen to people and think decisions through thoroughly before taking action.
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  • Profile picture of the author Odahh
    i am empathic,

    i use to just kind absorb negative vibes from people so i did not want be around people.

    now i can visually identify who interests me to talk to and observe then calibrate approach ..

    but for the most part it has nothing to do with introvert extrovert stuff ..like claude seems to be getting at.. there is nothing stopping you from saying what you have to say to perfect strangers if you have a subject both of you are interested in to talk about ..

    so if you are shy learn a lot about different things and figure out how to zone in on possible subjects to discuss .

    develop your qualification process ..
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  • Profile picture of the author rmolina88
    I'm an introvert, but I love to perform, get on stage, and entertain people.

    Unlike most people, I don't fear public speaking.
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  • Profile picture of the author Odahh
    it is like this take any 15-25 year old with adhd ...and put them in front of their favorite new video game and they may sit there and forget to eat or sleep for a few days ..

    now say he is normally shy ..but there was a release party for the game and it was the second or third game ..and that guy probably will chat away for hours with total strangers about that game and other games ..

    today most people have some form of media induced adhd ..and lack real social skill in most places ..there are way to many people who it is almost better to swoop in get their text number ..then move away and text with them to chat even if your are 10 feet away ..
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  • Profile picture of the author bizgrower
    As I recall from the original research - the Myers-Briggs framework, introverts are those who prefer to re-energize by spending their spare time in more solitary ways and tend to have a few, but close friends. Extraverts are those who prefer to re-energize by socializing and tend to have many they call friend. That's it. Really nothing more or less as far as "defining" goes.

    Both can have great people skills and have people oriented jobs, or research or other "quiet" oriented jobs. A friend of mine is an engineer/inventor and can work for days and days on solo projects, but loves to party and socialize when not working.

    Johnny Carson (Tonight Show host before Letterman for the younger crowd) was described as very introverted. Yet, he was a great TV host/interviewer/entertainer.

    Neither is better than the other. They just is what they is.

    Dan
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    • Profile picture of the author MissTerraK
      According to Urban Dictionary...

      extrovert

      introvert

      Therefore I am proud to announce that I am neither!

      Terra
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      • Profile picture of the author Benny L
        I'm an introvert, but I'm not socially-retarded.

        I have lots of extrovert friends and they can (thankfully) get along just fine without me. We talk when we see each other, we laugh and have a good time. They invite me places and occasionally I'll show up.... and I keep getting invited. I'm an interesting guy, I'm good company to have around when going out. More often though, I corner those friends one on one, and we go out for a quiet drink, or spend some time alone together. That's the type of activity I greatly prefer. I'm the kind of person you talk to one-on-one. In large groups, you'll often find me wandering off to talk to someone who's alone. My friends call it hitting on the single girl. I call it finding a relaxing conversation.

        At the end of the day, I'm an introvert and social interaction often wears me out. But I'm not shy. I can hold a conversation just fine. But my best work, my best ideas, my most pleasurable moments, come when I'm left alone to do my thing. And I'll just happily post my new song, or article, or photos on Facebook, or bring in the leftovers I was cooking, or whatever. I'm a deep-thinker and my nature and my passion is for solving difficult problems. As a result, it's a challenge to hold an interesting conversation with people who aren't deeply into at least one of the same things that I am. I have several musician friends, far more accomplished than I, who shut up and listen when I tell them what they should be doing, and they come back to me later and say, "man, were you ever right!" I have a track record. Legal problems, tax issues, business questions, beer brewing advice, electrical circuits, car repair... I have solid track records on those things. I'll solve a problem all day long if I have to... but man, don't talk to me about Snooki, your favorite beer, what companies/brands you like, or what kind of music you prefer, or you'll find me running for the door! Opinions are like a**holes. Everybody has one, and they all stink. I've got better things to think about.
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    • Profile picture of the author SimonJBell
      Originally Posted by bizgrower View Post

      As I recall from the original research - the Myers-Briggs framework, introverts are those who prefer to re-energize by spending their spare time in more solitary ways and tend to have a few, but close friends. Extraverts are those who prefer to re-energize by socializing and tend to have many they call friend. That's it. Really nothing more or less as far as "defining" goes.

      Both can have great people skills and have people oriented jobs, or research or other "quiet" oriented jobs. A friend of mine is an engineer/inventor and can work for days and days on solo projects, but loves to party and socialize when not working.

      Johnny Carson (Tonight Show host before Letterman for the younger crowd) was described as very introverted. Yet, he was a great TV host/interviewer/entertainer.

      Neither is better than the other. They just is what they is.

      Dan
      Also, many people believe introverts are shy - but being an introvert doesn't mean you're therefore shy. Some introverts avoid socialising because it uses up so much energy. As a result, they may not be as confident when socialising because they don't do it that often.
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    • Profile picture of the author WebPen
      Originally Posted by bizgrower View Post

      As I recall from the original research - the Myers-Briggs framework, introverts are those who prefer to re-energize by spending their spare time in more solitary ways and tend to have a few, but close friends. Extraverts are those who prefer to re-energize by socializing and tend to have many they call friend. That's it. Really nothing more or less as far as "defining" goes.

      Both can have great people skills and have people oriented jobs, or research or other "quiet" oriented jobs. A friend of mine is an engineer/inventor and can work for days and days on solo projects, but loves to party and socialize when not working.

      Johnny Carson (Tonight Show host before Letterman for the younger crowd) was described as very introverted. Yet, he was a great TV host/interviewer/entertainer.

      Neither is better than the other. They just is what they is.

      Dan
      This.

      I can give public speeches- actually better than most extroverts, command troops, talk to strangers, act like a goofball, etc.

      But being around a lot of people doesn't energize me- it drains me.

      Meanwhile, I get more energized being by myself or a small group of close friends/family.

      But I had a friend in college who got bored by himself, and was energized by being around people.

      Same same but different.
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  • Profile picture of the author digitalcows
    I did a test and it says I am an introvert. Like Benny, social interactions wears me out. The more people around me most of the time, the faster it wears me out. Socializing is more often a social obligation.
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  • Profile picture of the author Stefan Pylarinos
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    • Profile picture of the author SimonJBell
      Originally Posted by Stefan Pylarinos View Post

      I'm naturally more introverted (most of us most likely are, as not many extroverts are posting on forums and into internet marketing). But I have developed an extroverted side of me as well. I used to be shy, but spent years going out and meeting people and becoming a public speaker/coach. I now have both sides of me, but I am still more naturally introverted and it takes more effort for me to be social and outgoing.
      Would you say that you're better at listening to people / being aware of people's needs than friends you may have which are more extroverted?
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    • Profile picture of the author katherineolga
      Originally Posted by Stefan Pylarinos View Post

      I'm naturally more introverted (most of us most likely are, as not many extroverts are posting on forums and into internet marketing). But I have developed an extroverted side of me as well. I used to be shy, but spent years going out and meeting people and becoming a public speaker/coach. I now have both sides of me, but I am still more naturally introverted and it takes more effort for me to be social and outgoing.
      I think you nailed it. This sums up what's been happening to me for about the past five years or so.

      One thing I had to learn is that Introvert isn't the same as shy. Being outgoing and introverted at the same time can coexist - one just has to learn how to manage the two opposites.
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  • Profile picture of the author DTGeorge
    Naturally I'm an introvert, but I can be extroverted if and when I choose, although it does take quite a bit of conscious effort at times.
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  • Profile picture of the author mcwalker25
    I dont mean to divert a little bit, but what i DO find funny about introverts is that a lot of them enter the business world -- a world that is very dense with and dependent on social communication.
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    • Profile picture of the author SimonJBell
      Originally Posted by mcwalker25 View Post

      I dont mean to divert a little bit, but what i DO find funny about introverts is that a lot of them enter the business world -- a world that is very dense with and dependent on social communication.
      Introverts don't have a problem with social communication, if anything they make better listeners than the extroverts and this generally leads to better communication.

      The difference between an introvert and an extrovert entering the business world is that the extrovert will generally be loud and pushy and try to sell - even if it's not something the buyer needs. On the other hand, the introvert will listen to the market, address the markets needs, and then produce a product which buyers do actually need.
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  • Profile picture of the author ThatOneGuy
    Horribly introverted, to the point of nearly being a hermit. However, I think you're a bit wrong in your assessment of introversion vs extroversion. It's about where you get your energy from, not about how outgoing you appear to be or what risks you're willing to take.

    Here's what I'm trying to say: introverts can be just as social as extroverts, but it's an activity that tires them out. Extroverts can be just as contemplative as introverts, but they also don't get any energy from that. Introverts recharge their batteries, so to speak, by spending time alone or away from the activity. Extroverts do the opposite.

    If you don't know, here's a pretty good test. I'm almost a perfect cross between INTP and INFP. Personality test based on C. Jung and I. Briggs Myers type theory

    Remember, before you try and assess others, you should "know thyself."
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  • Profile picture of the author QuelThalas
    im an extrovert kind of person. i like to meet new people, eventhough i love to do things with this computer alone.
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  • Profile picture of the author Canadianajones
    I would rather be a vert of any kind.

    My buddy is a couch potato, a horiz and he never gets anything done.
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  • Profile picture of the author katherineolga
    I used to be an introvert but now I am not so sure. Lately, I've been more extroverted. Is it possible to change?
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  • Profile picture of the author carnal
    I think a person needs to be both.

    There are times, when being introvert is the right way to go. There are times, when being extrovert is the right way to go.

    Personally I am more introvert and it works well for me.
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  • Profile picture of the author Meta Morph
    I'm primarily an introvert and I'm great one on one with people but in groups I just can't really connect up with the new personality that is formed when all the minds join together. I was always a distinguished individual, my own person. I don't like to go along with what others are doing and I find that most of what the group discusses is mostly gossip and I get rather bored with it fast. I can talk to someone one on one for hours about anything really as long as it's interesting. I like to find out what people are about not just talk to them in fake pleasantries and acceptable interactions. I want to know what you really think and who you really are and that's why I think I tune out during group gatherings because it's kind of an act that you put on for the group. For me it would be anyway. Maybe I just haven't been in the right circles because I'm sure if there was a conversation stimulating enough I would jump in but I'm usually surrounded by typical jargon which I'm not interested in the least.
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    • Warriors, . . . I think what I like most about your postings is how much they have caused many of you to dig deep and say what's really down in there. Pretty Amazing I'd say.

      The fun stuff is getting to relate to each post and learn something valuable. There was a lot of that submitted to this thread. Thank you all who participated. Great job!

      LLS
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  • Profile picture of the author Temorrow
    I am an introvert in every sense of the word, however I am not shy. In fact, I majored in drama, am a retired dance champion and excel at public speaking. I think introvert really gets a bad name, but really an introvert is "inner focused" and and extrovert is outer focused, it really has nothing to do with social skills or shyness.
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  • Profile picture of the author socialentry
    "Walk softly and carry a big stick" -Theodore Roosevelt

    kekekekeke
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  • Profile picture of the author Curtis2011
    Very introverted, but also not shy. I actually enjoy teaching things to groups of people.
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  • Profile picture of the author Igor Fridrihs
    I think it does not matter for business. The biggest mistake people do is trying to work on their weaknesses. Try to use your personality as is, and find somebody who can cover the rest.
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  • Profile picture of the author dudeco
    I'm an introverted extrovert. I say that because I prefer to stay home with wifey, and prefer a few close friends to tons of acquaintance-level friends. Similarly, I was one of the most outgoing outside salesman you've probably ever met, to the point that I was regularly complimented on my enthusiasm and passion. All the same, I did that because I HAD to to make money.

    Now, I don't particularly enjoy going to places where I don't know a lot of people. Probably explains my giving up outside sales to do Internet marketing, lol...
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    • Profile picture of the author Gary Ning Lo
      Originally Posted by RockNRolla View Post

      Sober: Introvert

      Drunk: Extrovert
      Haha same

      I'm an introvert though.. I'm not shy, i like talking to people, don't have any problems participating in a group discussion but i need some alone time

      Cheers,

      Gary
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      • Profile picture of the author Orhan Alparslan
        I'm a bit of both actually,

        I was always good with numbers so I chose to study Finance as an Introvert, but then a couple of months ago I stumbled upon Marketing by accident and it has exposed some of my talents deeply hidden inside. I've developed so many skills of which I didnt know they existed. I get lots of energy by talking to people but I also like to be focused all day behind my computer.

        although I used to be very much introverted back in the day, I am more shifting towards being an extrovert. (At least that is what I believe)
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        • Profile picture of the author JPBailey
          Depends on my mood and what's going on. Mostly introvert but I love working with people, just never desired to be the life of the party.

          Dig deeper to find your Personality Type with a free test and info on this site:

          9types.com - Enneagram tests, type descriptions, forums

          I've been doing research on personality for years and love that site.

          I'm type 4.

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          Recovering Psychologist turn Online Marketer
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  • Profile picture of the author katherineolga
    The true definition of an introvert is one who prefers small groups and needs alone time.

    An extrovert is someone who always needs to be around people.

    Neither of them define whether someone is outgoing or a risk taker.

    Here is my reality:

    I am an introvert. I love parties and am outgoing. And I am absolutely sure I am an introvert. I like change and new experiences and am able to take risks. After the party? I will need a nap and alone time.

    Since by the typical assumptions I am a walking controversy I had to get the true definitions straight. I am using the Meyers Briggs system in my assumptions... I am an outgoing INFP.
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  • Profile picture of the author Eemil
    It's really interesting how the opinions are divided...

    I personally thought this kind of work, the concept of "working from home" would clamp up everyone, but it seems I was mistaken.

    I share characteristics from both types of personality, but the dominant one varies from day to day. However, I believe that's what it's like with most of people - some days you feel like you need to talk with people, be surrounded by them and communicate with other things than your laptop; other days make you feel like an oyster and all your eyes can see is your work. Those days I usually write a little note on the back of my laptop saying something like "Today I Am Working - DND". :rolleyes:

    Anyway, being extrovert is much more fun.
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  • Profile picture of the author jay walters
    I am an extrovert. I love to communicate to different people
    and I value relationship with everyone.
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  • Profile picture of the author Jennwith2ns
    Introvert 110%. No guessing needed, it is blatantly obvious.

    And being an introvert is NOT the same thing as being shy. We're not shy, we prefer to be quiet in most cases. I'm not AFRAID of talking to other people, I just don't feel comfortable with it in most settings.

    You know how people get stuck in elevators, and are completely freaking out because they would be there for hours?! I wouldn't hate it one bit, unless other people were in there with me.
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