Extroverts tend to be gregarious, assertive, and interested in seeking out excitement. Introverts, in contrast, tend to be more reserved, less outgoing, and less sociable. They are not necessarily loners but they tend to be satisfied with having fewer friends. Introversion does not describe social discomfort but rather social preference: an introvert may not be shy but may merely prefer less social activities. Ambiversion is a balance of extrovert and introvert characteristics.
The differences between the two personality types are well known and everyone has a view on which category they fit within.
This poses the question, is society and all the challenges that come with it, easier to navigate as an introvert or an extrovert? Of course there are varying degrees of both personality types. It seems to me that in US dominated western culture extroversion is valued more highly.
There are numerous websites that try and entice the web surfer by claiming to turn the reserved introvert in to the companionable, outgoing and life of the party extrovert. as though being of reserved demeanour is some sort of disability.
Conversely much of the literature describes extroverts as being shallow, self centred and unaware. The question is which set of characteristics better equips the individual to deal with 21st century life? Many employers now require job candidates to undergo psychometric tests to highlight personality type. Can it be generally said that being assessed as an introvert is a disadvantage for the job seeker but perhaps the opposite applies depending on the job or the composition of the selection panel?
The world is full of people who have risen to great heights in the business, political and /or professional worlds. Indeed it could be said that the two richest men in the world Bill Gates and Warren Buffett have introverted personality types. I’m assuming that both Gates and Buffett would rate as introverts in psychometric tests such as Meyers-Briggs. Can it be said that successful introverts seem to have mastered the ability to act like extroverts? What does this say about what society values in an individual?
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