For decades, we’ve been encouraged to place ourselves neatly into one of two boxes: introvert or extrovert. Are you the quiet observer who recharges alone, or the social energiser who thrives in a crowd? Personality quizzes, workplace training sessions, and casual conversations often frame this as a binary choice.
But real human behaviour is rarely that simple. In fact, much of what we’ve come to accept through pop psychology has oversimplified personality into labels that don’t fully reflect how people actually think, feel, and behave. The truth is, most people sit somewhere in the middle — and that middle ground has a name: ambiversion.
The Origins of Introversion and Extroversion
The concepts of introversion and extroversion were popularised by Carl Jung in the early 20th Century. Jung didn’t describe them as rigid personality types, but as preferences for where people direct their energy.
- Introversion refers to a tendency to focus inward — on thoughts, ideas, and internal reflection.
- Extroversion refers to a tendency to focus outward — on people, activities, and external stimulation.
Importantly, Jung believed these traits existed on a spectrum. Somewhere along the way, that nuance was lost, replaced by simplified categories that are easier to market, quiz, and brand.
Why the Binary Doesn’t Hold Up
If you’ve ever felt energised by a great social event but equally valued a quiet weekend at home, you’ve already experienced the limitations of the introvert/extrovert divide. People often behave differently depending on:
- Context (work vs home)
- Energy levels
- Familiarity with others
- Emotional state
- Life stage
Someone may appear extroverted at work — confident, vocal, and sociable — yet deeply introverted in their personal life. Others may enjoy socialising but only in smaller, more meaningful settings. These contradictions aren’t flaws; they’re normal.
What is an Ambivert?
An ambivert is someone who displays both introverted and extroverted tendencies, shifting naturally between the two depending on the situation. Ambiverts might:
- Enjoy social interaction but need downtime to recharge
- Feel confident speaking in groups yet value solitude
- Be adaptable communicators who read the room well
- Thrive in collaborative settings without needing constant stimulation
Research consistently suggests that ambiverts make up a significant portion of the population — possibly the majority. Yet they’re often overlooked because they don’t fit neatly into a single label.
The Workplace Myth: Loud Doesn’t Mean Better
Modern workplaces have often rewarded extroverted traits: speaking up in meetings, open-plan collaboration, constant networking. While these behaviours have value, they’re not the only indicators of competence or leadership.
Ambiverts often excel professionally because they can:
- Listen deeply, then speak with intention
- Adjust communication styles to different personalities
- Balance assertiveness with reflection
- Lead without dominating
In sales, leadership, and client-facing roles, ambiverts frequently outperform extremes because they know when to engage and when to step back.
Social Energy is Not a Fixed Trait
A common misconception is that introverts dislike people or that extroverts never tire of social interaction. In reality, social energy fluctuates for everyone. An ambivert might:
- Crave connection after isolation
- Seek solitude after overstimulation
- Feel energised by the right people, not just any crowd
Understanding this can be liberating. It removes the pressure to perform a personality type and replaces it with self-awareness and choice.
Why Labels Can Be Limiting
Personality labels can be helpful as starting points, but they become problematic when they turn into self-imposed rules.
“I’m an introvert, so I can’t lead.”
“I’m an extrovert, so I hate being alone.”
These narratives restrict growth. Ambiversion reminds us that personality is flexible, contextual, and responsive — not fixed or prescriptive.
Embracing the Middle Ground
Recognising yourself as an ambivert doesn’t mean you lack identity. It means you’re adaptable. By understanding where you sit on the spectrum, you can:
- Manage your energy more effectively
- Set healthier social boundaries
- Communicate your needs with clarity
- Stop forcing yourself into roles that don’t fit
Rather than asking, “Am I an introvert or extrovert?” a better question might be:
“What environments help me thrive right now?”. Because for most people, the answer isn’t found at either extreme… it’s right there in the middle.
