Understanding Personality Types: Extroverts, Introverts, Omniverts, and Ambiverts

Over the past few weeks, I have been busy attending various events. What I was surprised about was it did not take much to drain my social batteries and the need for me to take time to recharge. I should not have been surprised, given the changes to my life and what my personal preferences are when it comes to social interactions.

Personality types and understanding them has always been of interest to me. There are a lot of tools to help you determine what classification an individual can be. Like a lot of these types of processes however, it involves putting an individual in a box - which often does not work, as people we are very complex and there are other considerations, such as our preferences, comfort zones but also what we need to do in specific circumstances that have an influence on this.

For the purpose of this blog, I am referring to traits around largely how we connect with others. The most commonly recognised terms are extrovert and introvert, however other variations which have also popped up and not so common which are, ambiverts and omniverts - which add more options than before. But like all of these things, rather than seperate boxes or even circles that overlap, I prefer to think of these more as a spectrum.

The benefits of embracing your personality type

I could take the opportunity to go through these 4 different types, what are the key traits and differences....but I am not going to do that. Why? well to be honest there is already a lot of information on that and I want to focus on how it can benefit you to know.

• Personal Growth & Life Transitions

  Understanding your preference will help you to learn how you process your emotions, when important life transitions, such as loss/grief, becoming a parent/caregiver and going through things like chronic illness. If you need to be something like well organised or to understand processes which you are not familiar with, it will help you to identify in how you can absorb that information and what tools and solutions you will need to stay on track.

• Improved Relationships/Social Interactions

  It can help you navigate social interactions more effectively. Whether it’s understanding why you need alone time or why you thrive in group settings, this knowledge fosters better communication with friends/family, work colleagues and strangers. If you thrive by meeting others then having a diary of different events and opportunities close together will be of benefit. If you need time to recharge however, it will be sensible to give yourself a break inbetween these social interactions.

• Career & Productivity

  If you have ever worked for larger companies, chances are you have heard of doing team or individual testing to understand different traits. Employers do this because they understand that different types excel in different work environments. Understanding your own strengths and preferences, as well as people who may work in the same team or department can be advantageous. It allows you to think about what type of work compliments your preference and also what you may want your career path to be.

• Mental & Emotional Well-being

  It can help you to determine how successful you may be at setting boundaries or creating and maintaining routines. Being able to articulate what your natural preferences are, will allow you to understand what support you need, more people, more alone time and to be comfortable with those requirements. Some do not understand why certain events or experiences can be more draining than others, if you have that knowledge, then you can put plans in place to be kind to yourself, whilst you do what you need to recharge.

  
  

  Personality is dynamic—it evolves over time based on experiences, environment, and growth. The goal isn't to fit neatly into a category but to use this knowledge as a tool for self-discovery and improving how you live, work, and connect with others

Personality types change - who knew?

It should not be surprising to us that our personality changes over time based on the knowledge, skills and experience we acquire as well as changes to our environment. But the one thing I have seen and heard from many people over the years is, 'I took this test and I came out as a <insert type>'.

The important point is, your type changes, people do not always like labels, so do not limit yourself with a label. I always recommend that if you have taken various tests in the past and there has been a significant amount of time 5 years or more, you might want to take it again.

Over the years, I have worked with and been trained in numerous models, but they all wanted to put people in boxes some with different colours or letters. Whilst it does have its advantages, the reason there are more and more different models, testing and assessments, is because people are far more complex to understand. A single test or assessment only scratches the surface.