Introversion/Extraversion

Each personality construct composed of four vectors must be supplemented with an analysis of extraversion and introversion.

According to the Swiss psychologist Carl Jung, the division into extraversion and introversion is the most important in the analysis of differences between people, and the lack of knowledge of this issue leads to many mistakes in assessing other people and causes difficulties in effective communication.

Extraversion and introversion are fundamental personality traits because they relate to the source and direction of a person's life energy. Unfortunately, we have misinterpreted this division for many years, creating many stereotypes and myths, such as that introverts are fearful of people, withdrawn or shy, and extroverts are outgoing and bold.

"Shyness is the fear of social criticism," says the author of Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking by Susan Cain. Introversion, conversely, is more about reacting to stimuli from the outside world.

Extraverts crave lots of stimulation, while introverts feel best in a calm environment.

Extraverts process their understanding of the world externally. They verbalize observations, ideas, thoughts and values, conduct dialogues and actively participate. They like action, and interaction gives them energy. They want to be among people. Therefore, they tend to express their thoughts and feelings out loud.

Introverts, on the contrary, prefer to process everything inside. They draw energy from their thoughts, ideas, feelings and impressions. They like to analyze all information calmly in themselves. They usually do not expect a conversation partner from them. Even in frequent interactions with others, they feel a loss of energy. They need time alone to increase their energy and well-being. They value privacy and do not share information about their personal lives easily. Introverts can be sociable but don't talk about themselves as much as extraverts.

Extravert

It's easy to get to know me

I like meetings and parties attended by many people

I conclude best when I have a dialogue or conversation

I like being the center of attention

I often think out loud

The more interactions I have, the more energy I have

When I am alone, I miss the interaction

I like to share my thoughts, ideas and experiences with others

I am looking for a situation where I can join a group

Introvert:

Many people don't understand me

I prefer to spend time alone or with a small group of friends

During meetings, I usually keep my opinions and observations to myself

I like introspection

I think before I say something

Interacting with others lowers my energy level

I am a secretive person

I enjoy spending time alone

I prefer to write than talk about my thoughts, ideas and experiences

I like interactions with one person rather than with a group

It's important to remember that both types of behaviour are perfectly normal.

Everyone has introverted and extraverted traits, but one of these traits is usually dominant.

It is more difficult for an outsider to determine an introvert's dominant vector and personality type than an extravert. Therefore, to avoid mistakes in judgment, spend some time with the introvert and ask a few questions to get to know his way of thinking and expressing his feelings.

If you didn't learn something from an extrovert, you weren't listening to him.

If you didn't learn something from an introvert, you didn't ask him.

The most intense conflicts are caused by the interaction between people who have our fourth vector as their first and are decidedly introverts, and we are extraverts.

Knowing different styles of perceiving the world helps us recognize our strengths and allows us to develop flexibility in effective communication, even with extremely different personalities.

Of course, only when we run a full four vectors Emotional Emblem Test we see correctly what proportions of our vectors work together. Nevertheless, it is handy information for life because each vector affects our personality and behaviour differently.

At the end of the personality analysis, let's add a fifth to the four coloured circles - it can be white, with the letter "I" for an introvert and "E" for an extravert.  

All personality types are important because each affects our reactions to the world, people and the environment differently.

No one should be judged by categories that make one personality better than another. Instead, knowing our natural predispositions, we should choose the most optimal environment for our innate talents to fully spread our wings and experience more fulfillment and happy moments.

More info and practical exercises at Emotional Intelligence for Managers

Ps. There are two kinds of spelling for the word Extravert. American spelling is Extrovert. I like Carl’s Yung ExtrAvert as it is a proper Latin.