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:
You can also read about the other side of the X-axis: introverted behavior.
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.
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?
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.
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:
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:
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.
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?