Extroversion and introversion are major personality dimensions, and many people often identify as one or the other. But it’s important to remember that this dimension represents a continuum. If you don’t feel like you fully fit in with either type, there’s a good chance you are somewhere more in the middle, which might be you are more of an ambivert or an omnivert.
Ambivert vs. Omnivert: Key Differences
An ambivert is someone who is in the middle on the extroversion-introversion scale. That means they tend to have a balance between extroverted and introverted qualities. For example, they might feel comfortable with social situations but feel just at home doing things on their own.
An omnivert is a person who exhibits both extroverted and introverted characteristics. Instead of being in the middle, however, they tend to experience both extreme ends of the spectrum. That means they can be very outgoing at times, but then also become extremely reserved. How these characteristics are displayed can depend on factors such as their mood, the situation, and the people present.
Characteristics of Ambiverts
Ambiverts tend to strike a flexible balance between extroversion and introversion. If you think of extroversion and introversion as two sides of a line, an ambivert would somewhere close to the middle.
That means that ambiverts tend to have both extroverted and introverted traits. They are good at reading situations and adapting their responses based on the situation and needs.
Some of the key characteristics of ambiverts include:
- Balance: Ambiverts like people and enjoy socializing, but they also appreciate having downtime to themselves. They feel comfortable in both settings.
- Adaptable: Ambiverts are good at adjusting their behavior based on what the situation calls for. At a party, they might be lively and outgoing, while in a subdued setting, they become calmer and more reflective.
- Empathetic: Because they understand both extroverted and introverted tendencies, ambiverts are good at recognizing and empathizing with other people’s needs.
- Self-awareness: Ambiverts also tend to be good at recognizing their own needs. If they feel overstimulated, they might step back to restore their energy or seek out social stimulation when they are feeling the need for more interaction.
- Good communicators: Ambiverts are also good at recognizing when it’s time to speak vs. when it’s time to listen. This helps them navigate social situations more adeptly and communicate well with others.
Characteristics of Omniverts
Omniverts tend to have more reactionary personalities that vary from one extreme to the other. Sometimes they will feel energized when they are the center of attention, but suddenly shift to needing complete solitude.
How an omnivert engages with the external world depends on their mood at any given moment. When they are in a positive, high-energy mood, they can be extremely outgoing and engaging. But they they may suddenly hit a wall where their social energy becomes depleted and they have to withdraw.
Such behavior can be confusing for others. Because omniverts experience such distinct shifts between introversion and extroversion, other people often feel like they don’t know what to expect.
Common characteristics of omniverts include:
- Extreme shifts in social behavior: Omniverts tend to either be very outgoing or very reserved.
- Dramatic changes in energy: Omniverts also experience dramatic shifts in their energy levels, going from feeling very energetic to feeling utterly drained.
- Deep empathy: Because they know how it feels to be very introverted and very extroverted, they tend to sympathize deeply with both personality types.
- Complex and unpredictable: Because they tend to shift from one mode to the other, omniverts often seem to have very complicated and unpredictable personalities. This can make it challenging for other people to predict how they will respond in different situations.
How to Tell If You’re an Ambivert vs. Omnivert
Determining whether you are an ambivert or an omnivert involves self-reflection on your social behaviors, energy levels, and adaptability in various situations. Here are some tips and a comparison table to help you discern your tendencies:
Observe Your Social Interactions
Pay attention to how you feel and act in social settings. Do you generally enjoy being around people but need some alone time afterward (ambivert)? Or do your preferences for socializing vary dramatically depending on your mood (omnivert)?
Monitor Your Energy Levels
Notice your energy levels throughout different activities. Ambiverts typically have moderate energy that balances out, whereas omniverts experience more extreme fluctuations.
Reflect on Your Behavior in Different Situations
Consider how your behavior changes in different environments. Ambiverts can adapt to different settings smoothly, while omniverts might show pronounced changes.
Evaluate Your Work Preferences
Think about how you prefer to work. Ambiverts can work well both in teams and alone, with a balanced approach. Omniverts might switch between preferring collaborative work and independent tasks more drastically.
Assess Communication Style
Notice how you communicate with others. Ambiverts can switch between listening and speaking effectively, while omniverts might show more significant swings between being very talkative and very reserved.
Ambivert vs. Omnivert Checklist
Use this checklist to compare your personality traits and determine if you lean more towards being an ambivert or an omnivert.
| Trait/Behavior | Ambivert | Omnivert |
| Social Interaction | Balanced enjoyment of socializing and solitude | Extreme swings between sociability and solitude |
| Energy Levels | Moderate, balanced energy | Significant fluctuations in energy |
| Context-Dependent Behavior | Adapts smoothly to different settings | Pronounced changes based on mood/environment |
| Work Preferences | Effective in both team and solo tasks | Preferences vary drastically between teamwork and solo work |
| Communication Style | Switches between listening and speaking easily | Extreme shifts between being talkative and reserved |
| Emotional Intensity | Moderate emotional responses | Intense emotional experiences influencing behavior |
| Leadership Style | Versatile and balanced | Effective but with more pronounced shifts in approach |
| Self-Awareness | Good awareness of social needs | Deep awareness of fluctuating social needs |
| Empathy and Understanding | Empathetic with balanced perspective | Deep understanding but with more variability |
How to Use the Checklist
- Rate Yourself: Go through each trait and rate yourself on a scale of 1-5 for how strongly you exhibit characteristics of an ambivert (1 being not at all, 5 being very much).
- Tally Your Scores: Add up your scores for ambivert characteristics and do the same for omnivert characteristics.
- Analyze Your Results: The higher total score will indicate whether you lean more towards being an ambivert or an omnivert.
By reflecting on these traits and using the checklist, you can better understand your social behaviors and determine if you are an ambivert or an omnivert.
Ambivert vs. Omnivert on the MBTI
The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) is a personality inventory that classifies people into one of 16 different personality types. The four dichotomies identified on the MBTI are the Introversion (I) vs. Extroversion (E), Sensing (S) vs. Intuition (N), Thinking (T) vs. Feeling (F), and Judging (J) vs. Perceiving.
The MBTI primarily identifies people as either more introverted or more extrovert. This means that it may more challenging for ambiverts and omniverts to identify a type that describes them most.
Ambiverts are more likely to have a more balanced score on the Introversion-Extroversion scale, while omniverts may score differently depending on their mood when they are tested.
When reading through different types, both ambiverts and omniverts may find themselves identifying with both the extrovert and introverted types. For example, they might be identified as an ENFP, but they may also feel like the INFP type is a good label as well.
Pros and Cons of Being an Ambivert vs. Omnivert
Both ambiverts and omniverts possess unique strengths and face distinct challenges. Ambiverts, who balance introversion and extroversion, tend to do well in social and professional situations that call on their adaptability, effective communication, and empathy.
Their balanced approach allows them to enjoy social interactions without feeling overwhelmed while also valuing solitude to recharge. However, they may struggle at times with feelings of indecision and struggling to balance their energy levels. Situations that are extremely social or solitary can also pose challenges
On the other hand, omniverts have much more noticeable shifts between introverted and extroverted states. This often enables them to adapt to varied situations and exhibit profound empathy. However, it can also present problems since their unpredictability and intense energy swings can be exhausting and confusing for others.
Omniverts might also find it challenging to maintain consistent behavior, which can lead to potential misunderstandings and emotional turbulence.
Making the Most of Being an Ambivert vs. Omnivert
No matter what type of personality you have, there are things you can do to make the most of your strengths and manage your challenges. Whether you are an ambivert or omnivert, building greater self-awareness can help you make your personality type work for you.
The following are a few steps that can help ambiverts and omniverts optimize their strengths:
For Ambiverts
- Honor your needs: Understand when you need social interaction versus alone time. Regularly check in with yourself to ensure you are balancing these needs appropriately.
- Set (and maintain) boundaries: Learn to say no to social engagements when you need time to recharge, and conversely, push yourself to engage when you know it will be beneficial.
- Make your environment work for you: Create spaces that accommodate both social interactions and solitude. For instance, have a dedicated workspace that allows for both collaboration and focused individual work.
- Develop communication skills: Practice active listening and assertive speaking to leverage your balanced communication style. This can help you navigate different social and professional contexts effectively.
- Use flexibility in the workplace: Seek roles that offer a mix of team collaboration and independent tasks. This will allow you to switch between social and solitary work as needed, keeping you engaged and productive.
For Omniverts
- Monitor your energy levels: Keep track of when your energy peaks and troughs occur. Plan your social activities and alone time accordingly to prevent burnout.
- Communicate clearly: Let those around you know about your fluctuating social needs. This transparency can help manage expectations and reduce misunderstandings.
- Schedule downtime: Intentionally plan periods of rest and reflection after intense social interactions. This can help you recharge and prepare for your next social engagement.
- Use emotional insights: Leverage your deep emotional experiences to build strong, empathetic relationships. Use these insights to connect with others on a meaningful level.
- Strive for balance at work: Look for jobs or projects that allow for variability in social engagement. Roles that offer flexibility can help you navigate your changing social and solitary needs.
By taking these steps, ambiverts and omniverts can harness their unique traits to enhance their personal and professional lives, leading to greater satisfaction and well-being.
Related reading:
- What are the 16 Personality Factors?
- ABCD Personality Types
- 85 Unique Talents and Skills You Can Develop
Sources:
Grant A. M. (2013). Rethinking the extraverted sales ideal: the ambivert advantage. Psychological Science, 24(6), 1024–1030. https://doi.org/10.1177/0956797612463706
Davidson I. J. (2017). The ambivert: A failed attempt at a normal personality. Journal of the History of the Behavioral Sciences, 53(4), 313–331. https://doi.org/10.1002/jhbs.21868