Do you feel energized when you’re around others? Or do you prefer to be independent and stick to completing tasks on your own? The theory of extroverts and introverts was created by Carl Jung in the 1920s to describe the distinct social needs of individuals. Extroverts prefer to be sociable, assertive and cheerful. They often like to be the centre of attention and enjoy the feeling of working in a group. Introverts, on the other hand, are most comfortable in small groups and one-on-one relationships. They can still enjoy the act of being social but often need alone time to recharge themselves.  

Neither of these personality types is better than the other, but they do both come with their strengths and weaknesses. For example, introverts are very good at committing to a task and working on their own. Though they may often be stereotyped as being shy or socially awkward, this is not necessarily the case. Introverts prefer to deliberate over their words and think inwardly about how they are feeling. They are often very literal with their words and may find verbal communication challenging. They seem to come across as reserved and quiet.  

Extroverts, on the other hand, work very well in teams. They love being talkative and are often very confident people. Along with being socially oriented, they also love to have new experiences. They have a tendency to be impulsive and will jump at the opportunity to have an adventure. Traditionally, extroverts are also very optimistic. They have animated, bright personalities and seek to find the best parts of whatever situation they may be in. Others around them describe extroverts as warm-hearted and enthusiastic.

In the workspace, introverts are very detail-oriented and hard-working. Their tendency to think inward and reflect allows them to work out problems with relevant, rational solutions. They work well in jobs where they are given the space to be independent, which allows them to complete complex tasks and produce quality work.  

Extroverts also have the potential to be very successful in their workspaces. They are very good at connecting with their co-workers, and their positive attitudes can help to strengthen team morale. In the workplace, extroverts are more likely to attain public-facing jobs and take on leadership roles. Extroverts do well in positions that have a lot of social interactions, such as jobs in sales or in the education sector.  

There have been many studies that have compared the happiness of each personality type with differing results. There have also been studies that have compared the intelligence of extroverts and introverts and concluded that while introverts may do better academically, extroverts have greater emotional intelligence. Despite these differences, the one thing that is seen across both personality types is the scale or range of personalities. No one is fully introverted or extroverted, and the associated traits of each personality differ from person to person.

When you’re working or hanging out with friends, try to pay attention to how your peers interact with each other. Are they outgoing and bubbly? Or are they reserved and insightful? Either way, both introverts and extroverts have different strengths and weaknesses, and knowing how to interact with different kinds of people can help you attain stronger relationships with those around you.