An ambivert is someone who exhibits traits of both introversion and extroversion and can feel comfortable in social or solitary settings. An omnivert, on the other hand, fluctuates between introverted and extroverted behavior depending on the situation or mood, displaying a wider range of adaptability.
What Is An Ambivert?
An ambivert personality is when someone has traits that do not fit into the extremes of the introvert-extrovert personality spectrum. Instead, ambiverts exist somewhere in the middle, balancing both features.
An ambivert can possess introverted and extroverted traits, depending on the circumstance they find themselves in.
For example, ambiverts may find engaging with others in social situations easy, highlighting their extroverted qualities. However, they may also need to retire from the event to recharge their social batteries alone, displaying more introverted attributes.
Moreover, ambiverts’ unique ability to tap into particular personality traits in certain situations makes them highly adaptable. This flexibility means they have diverse characteristics that can bring balance to a group.
Ambiverts have a natural aptitude for understanding how both introverts and extroverts may feel and may act as an equalizer for the two personality types.
If you feel you are not quite an extrovert or an introvert, you may fit into this personality type. Here are some signs you are an ambivert:
- You have the skills to both contribute to a discussion and intently listen to the conversation
- You find the same levels of comfort at a large social gathering as you would if you were alone in your room.
- Managing your actions to suit the energy of a specific friend or scenario comes easily to you.
- You might find yourself doing behaviors, like starting up conversations after long pauses, to keep the group dynamic flowing smoothly.
- You prefer to have meaningful conversations with others but can still engage in small talk.
What is an Omnivert?
An omnivert is also an individual whose traits do not fit into either end of the introvert-extrovert personality spectrum.
Omniverts have signs of both extroversion and introversion. However, they do not exist between the two extremes or portray both personalities at the same time.
Instead, omniverts can wholly tap into either personality, meaning they can fully embody the traits of an introvert and extrovert as if they were solely that personality at different times.
From one day to the next, an omnivert may present themselves differently, jumping around on the personality spectrum. Omniverts cannot completely be pinpointed on the extroversion spectrum because of this trait.
Instead, the presentation of their personality will depend on their social setting, who they are speaking to, and what kind of situation they encounter.
The tendency for omniverts to abruptly switch their extroversion traits makes it hard to identify this personality type.
For example, an omnivert may be social and quiet, brave and reserved simultaneously, making them hard to gauge.
Here are some signs to tell if you are an omnivert:
- You often find that your moods or personality traits can quickly change
- Around particular people, you may find yourself acting more reserved or outgoing than when you are with other groups
- You find that though you can be social, you still need and value your alone time
- Sometimes, you feel the urge to back out of plans that you were once really excited for
- You feel the need to read a social situation before you can engage with others
Differences
Differences in Communication
Ambiverts may encounter some anxieties with public speaking. However, speaking with others is not impossible.
Instead, their extroverted and introverted traits might even give them more of an advantage in communicating with others.
For example, an ambivert might use their extroverted side to give them the confidence to be more outgoing and deliver a great speech while using their introversion to think carefully about what they might say.
Omniverts, on the other hand, have the potential to be either excellent communicators or very poor speakers. Depending on the situation, an omnivert might feel more introverted and might feel fear at the thought of speaking with others.
In others, they may excel and dominate their conversations. It solely depends on how the omnivert might be feeling.
Differences in Emotional Stability
Ambiverts can slightly alter their personality in specific situations to be more introverted or extroverted. This capability allows them to become familiar with regulating their behaviors.
As a result, they are much more stable in their moods. An ambivert’s emotions will tend to be more predictable and consistent in their everyday interactions.
An omnivert is much less reliable. Since they move throughout the personality spectrum depending on the situation, omniverts are more likely to be considered temperamental by those around them.
An omnivert might quickly change their moods, making it difficult to understand their emotions.
Differences in Friendships
An ambivert will tend to have a solid friend group. Since they are in the middle of the personality spectrum, they have the ability to be empathetic and understanding with others.
As a result, ambiverts can provide balance among their friends. This makes an ambivert a valuable resource for the social dynamic. Moreover, this ability might allow ambiverts to create deeper bonds with those they interact with.
Omniverts will tend to be sociable and engage with others. However, they do not choose to present this social nature to everyone they encounter. An omnivert might be more particular with who they feel they can get more extroverted.
Typically, they will be more outgoing around more introverted individuals.
Differences in MBTI Type
An ambivert will often find it difficult to get an accurate reading with an MBTI personality test. They might encounter imprecise scores.
These are explained by ambiverts having difficulty fully agreeing with statements they encounter on the MBTI. Since ambiverts are in the middle of the personality spectrum, they may feel torn between the choices to gauge extroversion.
As a result, ambiverts have variations in the scores and may feel that they are not accurately portrayed with their MBTI type.
An omnivert will typically receive a different score each time they take the MBTI. This change in MBTI type depends on how they present their personality when they take the test.
Additionally, an omnivert may feel that personality tests, in general, fail to fully encapsulate their personality.
Since the Myers Briggs Type Indicator looks at either introversion or extroversion in the scoring process and does not account for a personality type that may be able to fit the traits of both, an omnivert may feel as though they never genuinely ‘fit’ into a category.
Benefits and Challenges
Ambiverts and omniverts both have characteristics that may seem more attractive than others. However, they also have their own challenges and difficulties.
The strengths and weaknesses of each personality type highlight the unique qualities both ambiverts and omniverts have.
Ambiverts are often accredited for having a personality that is the “best of both worlds.” Since they are extroverted and introverted simultaneously, they are highly flexible.
This allows them to adapt easily and develop self-awareness to determine when a situation might call for specific traits on the extroversion scale.
Their intuitiveness also allows them to act more balanced in their day-to-day interactions.
Still, ambiverts may often feel like they have added pressure to act a certain way in a particular setting. For example, constantly being the group’s peacemaker at home can sometimes be challenging.
As a result, an ambivert might feel at odds with the social roles they take on.
Omniverts can fully act as introverts or extroverts, meaning they have an advantage in exercising the individual strengths of each personality type. They are also adaptable in the sense that if they need to give a big speech one day, they can completely delve into extroverted traits and thrive.
Their ability to access the full spectrum at various times gives them access to multiple skills and attributes. Moreover, the changing dynamics of omniverts make them exciting individuals to be around.
Ironically, the main challenge omniverts encounter relates to the unpredictability of their behavior and the tendency for their personality to shift constantly.
As a result of this movement on the personality spectrum, an omnivert might have trouble with social interactions if they behave in a way that is not advantageous to them.
Additionally, omniverts might struggle to understand their own nature or the motivations behind some of their actions, which may also be confusing for those around them.
Whether you identify more as an ambivert or an omnivert, it is essential to understand that there is nothing wrong with being one or the other. Each person’s place on the spectrum adds diversity to the social dynamic.
How to be more ambivert if you’re an omnivert
Your personality is critical in determining how you interact with others, recharge, and see the world. Though some might question if they can “change” their personality, the truth is your personality is fixed.
This set point on the spectrum means it is impossible to go from an introvert to an extrovert or from an omnivert to an ambivert.
In fact, new research has shown that personality might be directly linked to our genetic makeup (Smeland et al., 2017).
These studies examine how deeply ingrained personality is; your place on the spectrum is a part of your DNA.
Changing into an ambivert if you are an omnivert is not an option because of this genetic link. However, considering that personality is still a spectrum of extroversion, everyone can still show more introversion or extroversion from time to time.
There are many ways that you can learn to control the extreme nature of your personality in this way. A change can occur simply by practicing and exercising more ambiverted behaviors in your everyday life.
Though certain traits may come naturally to ambiverts, if you are an omnivert, you can still exert yourself to develop a new ability to emulate appealing characteristics in the presentation of your personality.
Pushing yourself outside of your comfort zone may be challenging, but like any new skill set, it will take time to strengthen and become comfortable with these behaviors.
How may you change your behaviors? For example, consider a scenario where you may display more introverted qualities in large social settings.
In contrast, you may find the ambivert’s ability to be both extroverted (outgoing and engaging with others) and introverted (more reflective and attentive) in social settings attractive.
Though you cannot change your innate nature, you can strengthen your people skills to make new friends while still defaulting to your naturally introverted behaviors. This symmetry may make you appear more ambiverted.
Working on these forms of behavioral exercise, where you aim to practice ambivert traits, might help maintain balance in your personality.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are most people ambiverts?
Since extroversion exists on a spectrum, it is fair to reason that most people fall somewhere in the middle of the personality type. The research of Dr. Adam Grant, a professor at the University of Pennsylvania, confirms this inference.
According to an interview published by the Wall Street Journal, Dr. Grant shared that most people are ambiverts. Grant’s personal research has shown that about two-thirds of the population are ambiverts.
Are omniverts rare?
At this time, there is still a minimal amount of research on omniverts as a personality type. Still, the unavailable data may indicate that omniverts are a small minority of individuals.
Since there is a lack of academic articles, it is nearly impossible to determine if omniverts are indeed rare. As research aimed to learn more about omniverts progresses, we might find that a more substantial percentage of the population identifies as both extroverted and introverted individuals.
Are ambiverts or omniverts better leaders?
Research conducted by Dr. Adam Grant has shown that ambiverts are more successful when it comes to business. Especially when it came to sales, ambiverts excelled.
This skill was attributed mainly to ambiverts’ ability to remain level-headed and engage in both extroverted and introverted behaviors. For example, an ambivert may be just extroverted and assertive enough to close a sale but will also take the time to listen to their customers and behave more introverted.
This balance of extroversion might make ambiverts better leaders. In contrast, Dr. Grant found a less successful sales revenue rate when it came to being solely introverted or extroverted, as omniverts present themselves.
How can you test whether someone is an ambivert or omnivert?
The best way to tell if someone is an ambivert or an omnivert is to observe how their behavior may fluctuate between your interactions with them.
As previously mentioned, an ambivert will be more balanced on the extroverted personality spectrum. Ambiverts will also tend to be less reactive. This consistency might allow you to anticipate their behavior.
On the other hand, an omnivert might be more unreliable in their behaviors. They will quickly change their personality traits.
Identifying this primary difference between personality types helps distinguish an individual if they display both extroverted and introverted traits.
References
Bernstein, E. (2015, July 27). Not an introvert, not an extrovert? you may be an ambivert. The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved February 12, 2023, from https://www.wsj.com/articles/not-an-introvert-not-an-extrovert-you-may-be-an-ambivert-1438013534
Cherry, K. (2022, July 28). Myers-Briggs Type Indicator: The 16 personality types. Verywell Mind. Retrieved January 6, 2023, from https://www.verywellmind.com/the-myers-briggs-type-indicator-2795583
Farooq, B. (2022, June 14). Omnivert vs Ambivert Differences: Identification Key Points. She Began. Retrieved January 12, 2023, from https://shebegan.com/omnivert-vs-ambivert-differences-identification-key-points/
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Goldman, R. (n.d.). Are you an ambivert? Meaning, Characteristics, Benefits, and more. Healthline. Retrieved January 10, 2023, from https://www.healthline.com/health/ambivert#1
Harris, E. (2022, August 6). What’s the Difference Between an Ambivert and an Omnivert? Truity. Retrieved January 10, 2023, from https://www.truity.com/blog/whats-difference-between-ambivert-and-omnivert
Miller, H. L. (2022, December 13). Ambivert vs. Omnivert: Which is a better leader? Leaders.com. Retrieved February 1, 2023, from https://leaders.com/articles/leadership/ambivert-vs-omnivert/
Owens, M. (2022, April 19). How to tell if you’re actually an ambivert. Truity. Retrieved February 1, 2023, from https://www.truity.com/blog/how-tell-if-youre-actually-ambivert
Raypole, C. (2022, July 5). Extroverts, Introverts, and Everything in Between. Healthline. Retrieved January 30, 2023, from https://www.healthline.com/health/extrovert-vs-introvert#ambivert-signs
Regan, S. (2022, June 30). Not an introvert or an extrovert? this may be your personality type. mindbodygreen. Retrieved February 7, 2023, from https://www.mindbodygreen.com/articles/ambivert-meaning-and-signs
Smeland, Wang, Y., Lo, M.-T., Li, W., Frei, O., Witoelar, A., Tesli, M., Hinds, D. A., Tung, J. Y., Djurovic, S., Chen, C.-H., Dale, A. M., & Andreassen, O. A. (2017). Identification of genetic loci shared between schizophrenia and the Big Five personality traits. Scientific Reports, 7(1), 2222–2229. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-017-02346-3
