Are You an Ambivert? Here Are 25 Signs
Feel like you're both an introvert and extrovert? Take our ambivert test.
Are you an ambivert? Perhaps various friends note that you're a typical introvert in some situations, while others would swear you're an extrovert based on your ease in some social situations. While all of these labels come with stereotypes, you may have always wondered why you never fit into the introvert or extrovert camp. That just might mean you're an ambivert.
What is an ambivert?
If you're wondering what the term actually means, an ambivert is a person whose personality has a balance of extrovert and introvert features. According to studies, ambiverts engage in a pattern of talking and listening equally—since they share characteristics of those super outgoing and those more reserved. Also, according to Harvard Business Review, ambiverts are great leaders because they know when to be assertive and when to lean back and listen. So how do you know if you are an ambivert? Read on to see if you have both these introvert and extrovert personality traits.
25 signs you're an ambivert
1. You like going to parties, but don’t have to stay until the end. When you’ve had your fill, you’re comfortable leaving.
2. You like meeting new people, but not always. Sometimes you don’t want to make the effort of starting a new getting-to-know-you conversation. It depends on your mood.
3. Short conversations are just fine. You don’t need to spend hours talking to someone.
4. You can be by yourself for hours, then join a group for dinner. You’re equally happy in both situations because ambiverts straddle the line between introverted and extroverted tendencies.
Related: The Best Jobs for Introverts
5. You can go to the movie by yourself or with a friend and you’d be happy either way. You really enjoy your own company, but you also enjoy being around others.
6. You can stay in the back and listen, but will definitely speak up if you have something to say.
7. You are comfortable in many different friend groups. You socialize with various circles and appreciate each circle for what it can offer you (sports, book club, wine club and more).
8. You socialize a lot, but still definitely need your down time. In fact, your perfect day is spending part of the day by yourself and part of the time with friends and family.
9. At the end of a group dinner with friends, you want to go home and be alone (take a bath, watch TV or read). You need to unwind by yourself each day.
10. You don’t mind talking to strangers, but don’t feel obligated to do so. People find you genuine and easy to talk to.
11. You’re generally game for any activity, but not for long periods of time. So instead of hiking for five hours and having constant chatter, ambiverts like you are more game for an hour or two of kayaking or walking with a friend. Shorter activities are more your speed and you may find yourself drawn to other ambiverts for that reason.
12. You’re not easily embarrassed. Many introverts don’t like to draw attention to themselves. Extroverts are the opposite. You’re in the middle.
13. You’re a part of the crowd, but not the center of attention. You’re not the sit-in-corner kind of person.
14. You definitely like your own company, but don’t want to be by yourself constantly.
Related: Are Introverts Actually the Best Leaders?
15. You are pretty even-keeled in most situations.
16. Your friends find you stable and consistent. Employers like hiring you because you’re dependable. You don’t hog the spotlight, but you’re a really good team player.
17. When describing you, people would use terms like mild-mannered. You’re not the chatty Kathy that has to say something in every meeting, but you are also not a wallflower who often gets overlooked.
18. You’re a good negotiator because you’re an active listener as well as a talker. People feel like they are heard when they are around you.
19. You tend to make friends fairly easily. While extroverts have tons of acquaintances and introverts have a small group of friends, ambiverts like you are somewhere in the middle. You have a nice circle of inner friends and a medium circle of acquaintances.
20. You can regulate your emotions well. So if you get angry, you tend not to stay that way for long periods.
Related: Are We All Secretly Introverts?
21. You’re empathetic. You are often the one helping a friend or coworker. People often come to you for advice or when they need a sounding board (someone to just listen).
22. While you have a social life, you also like doing things alone. You could easily go for a long hike solo but then meet up with friends for a campfire.
23. You’re mild-mannered. You’re not the one screaming at a concert, but you also aren’t the one silent the whole time.
24. Friends might refer to you as an extrovert with introvert tendencies or an introvert with extrovert tendencies. That's a classic definition of an ambivert. Some days you’re just feeling super social and other days you’re feeling like you just need your own space. Even within a day you can swing back and forth between seeming like an introvert and extrovert to others. And that’s just fine with you.
25. You’re not drained after talking to people. Many introverts have a hard time conversing with people because their go-to happy place is being alone. Extroverts, on the other hand, can talk for hours and still keep talking. You are that really nice balance of talking to people and having great in-depth conversations, but people also don’t feel drained talking to you.
Next up, how to make friends!
Sources
Psychological Science: Rethinking the Extraverted Sales Ideal: The Ambivert Advantage
Harvard Business Review: The Hidden Advantages of Quiet Bosses
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