Extrovert – Characteristics and Communication Tips
Extraversion generally means being outward-oriented, but it means much more than that. Within the DISC model, extraversion is the opposite of introversion, but what does extraversion actually mean? We've listed a number of important topics that apply to the extraverted person. This way, we hope to give even more meaning to the theory used within our DISC analysis.
Topics covered:
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- What does extraverted behavior mean?
- Seven examples of extraverted behavior
- Communicating with an extraverted person
- Positive extraverted character traits
- Unjustified assumptions about extraversion
- How to make a good match with DISC
You can also read about the other side of the X-axis: introverted behavior.
What does extraverted behavior mean?
When we look at extraverted people, they can be described as oriented toward the outside world and enjoying being around people. They are seen as spontaneous, open, and lively. HRM Profielen describes extraverted behavior as: "People who generally act first and think afterward. The extraverted person has a high pace in acting and thinking. For relaxation, this person likes to seek contact with others."
Looking at the X-axis, introversion and extraversion are the two ends of the spectrum. People are usually not purely introverted or purely extraverted, but tend to fall somewhere in between on the axis. However, you'll often see that someone has more of a preference for a particular behavioral style, which means you'll see that behavior more often. The degree to which this is true differs per person and can also depend on the situation.
Seven examples
Extraverted behavior — most people already have some idea of what it looks like. Although it does show up differently in each person. What can you recognize extraversion by, among other things?
- They like being around people and seek others out;
- They talk a lot and often quickly;
- They enjoy small talk and are up for a joke;
- They can easily express their emotions, both verbally and non-verbally;
- They generally have little trouble speaking in a group or giving presentations;
- They take initiative easily and are action-oriented;
- They act and react first; they often think afterward.
Tips for effective communication
Extraverted people are often seen as easy talkers. They tend to come across as lively and enthusiastic, and they seek out interaction with others. This is in contrast to introverted people, who often come across as calmer and more thoughtful. What kind of communication and interaction style suits someone with a more extraverted behavioral style? Here too, everyone is unique — preferences and behaviors among extraverted people can vary from person to person.
- Extraverted people enjoy conviviality. Make some friendly, informal small talk and ask how they're doing.
- Focus on opportunities and possibilities, not on everything that could go wrong.
- Don't let long silences fall — an extraverted person likes to be carried along in the conversation.
- Keep the conversation lively and don't focus only on the core points. An extraverted person might otherwise lose interest.
- Don't go into too much detail — focus more on the big picture.
- Don't constantly interrupt them. They like having the floor and enjoy telling their story.
- They enjoy brainstorming and looking for solutions and ideas together. Make sure there's room for that and don't fill in everything in advance.
A number of character traits
Although the norm sometimes seems to be that extraverted behavior is considered more desirable than introverted behavior, one is not better than the other. Both introverted and extraverted behavior have their advantages. Moreover, it's only part of who someone is and by no means tells the whole story — many other factors play a role as well. Looking at the qualities of extraverted behavior, you might think of:
- Being action-oriented and enterprising;
- Making contact easily;
- Daring to share their opinion and being honest about what they think;
- Coming across as spontaneous and positive;
- Enjoying working together with others;
- Being able to hold their own in groups;
- Being able to create a relaxed and pleasant atmosphere.
Unjustified assumptions about extraversion
Extraverted people are more likely to act first and think afterward. They also react differently than introverted people. Still, it's not the case that all extraverted people react the same way or always display extraverted behavior. So it's important not to put them in a box and assume everyone is the same. Below are some assumptions that are sometimes made about extraverted behavior:
- Extraverted people always like being the center of attention.
- Extraverted people don't think before making a decision.
- Extraverted people can't be alone.
- You can't have a serious conversation with extraverted people.
Although there certainly are extraverted people who would rather not be alone, that doesn't mean all extraverted people always need people around them. Every person is unique, and it's important not to draw unfounded conclusions. Always try to approach a conversation openly and objectively, and be curious about the person sitting across from you.
How do you make the right match with DISC?
In our certification training, we pay a great deal of attention to DISC theory and the different preferred styles. Among other things, we look at how extraverted behavior can manifest itself. The training gives you the knowledge and practical information to ask deeper, follow-up questions. This allows you to get a complete picture of someone and also give the other person the insights they need. From there, strengths can be built upon and areas for improvement can be addressed.
Want to know more about how extraversion works in combination with DISC?