Outgoing, high-energy, and communicative are some core characteristics of extroverted people. However, there are also many misconceptions and assumptions about extroverts. Some claim that extroverts tend to be bad listeners, don’t like alone time, or are shallow conversationalists, but those couldn’t be further from the truth.
Stereotypes often obscure one’s judgment towards extroverts, so you might lose out on genuine friendships if you believe them. At the end of the day, intro- and extroversion manifest differently in each person.
The key to understanding people lies in identifying their habits and patterns. Recognizing an extroverted person, whether it’s in your family, friend group, or workplace, will help you understand how their minds work and how you can best socialize with them.
1. Extroverts Are Energized by Socializing
Extroverts enjoy social settings and get a good kick out of them. Being around others energizes extroverts and often boosts their mood. Unlike introverts, who are usually drained after spending time with many people, extroverts are buzzing with energy.
The unfortunate part is this energy can be misinterpreted by others. They may feel that the extroverted person is hogging the conversation, making themself the center of attention.
2. They Are Often Risk-Takers
Extroverts are likely to be risk-takers. This is not because they think less about consequences than their introverted counterparts but rather because they are naturally optimistic. Most extroverted people are more willing to take risks and try new things due to the reward they will get if or when it all goes well.
This kind of thinking is actually scientifically backed. A study shows that people who take risks and succeed are often rewarded with dopamine — a chemical released in the brain that triggers you to feel good.
3. Extroverts Make Great Team Players
As mentioned before, extroverts thrive in social situations, and this often translates into them being excellent team players. Collaboration, communication, creativity, and flexibility are vital in group settings, and they also happen to be some of an extrovert’s best traits.
In the same breath, extroverts also make great team leaders. Their knack for communication makes them the best candidates for raising any concerns that the team might have.
4. They Are Fast Thinkers
Extroverts are known for their fast thinking and ability to react rapidly to situations. This can be attributed to the fact that most extroverted people tend to think while they speak, as opposed to introverts, who are more likely to think before they speak.
This makes an extrovert a lethal weapon in fast-paced environments, both socially and professionally. So, extroverts will likely contribute more to group discussions or brainstorming sessions.
5. Extroverts Are Natural Networkers
Extroverted people are inclined to have larger social circles in real life and virtually. Most extroverts have the natural skill of meeting new people and forming friendships or connections within a short period of time.
While having this skill has many advantages, like getting new opportunities, not everyone you meet is meant to be a friend. Bad connections are just as likely to be made as good ones.
6. They Have an Expressive Body Language
Did you know that 55% of communication is non-verbal? This is known as The 7-38-55 Formula, which states that only 7% of meaning is conveyed through words, 38% through tone of voice, and 55% through body language.
Extroverts typically use expressive body language, gestures, and social cues to communicate their thoughts and emotions. This gives them the upper hand when it comes to engaging with people who speak a foreign language or small children with a limited vocabulary.
7. Extroverts Are at Risk of Overcommitting
Extroverts are highly enthusiastic when it comes to social engagements. This can, unfortunately, lead to them overcommitting and spreading themselves too thin. Perhaps because extroverts tend to jump head-first into new situations because they have an open-minded personality.
The disadvantage of this personality trait is that others could see you as a people-pleaser and may use this to their personal advantage.
8. They Have FOMO (Fear of Missing Out)
Extroverts are more likely to have a fear of missing out (or FOMO). This is when one worries that they are missing out on fun social gatherings, and it’s often triggered by what they see on social media.
Because of their natural inclination to go out and be around people, many extroverts are more prone to feel isolated or even unwanted when they don’t get an invitation to parties or events. But if you have a look at the facts above, you’ll see that it is sometimes good not to be invited to everything.
9. Extroverts Have a Need for External Stimulation
Although extroverts don’t loathe spending time alone, they are more likely to get bored or restless when left alone than their introverted counterparts. This makes them crave external stimulation.
Extroverts enjoy being around activity because it stimulates their brains, helping them stay alert and engaged. This is one of their negative traits, however, as without this stimulation, they can fall victim to procrastination and a general feeling of demotivation.
10. They Are Adaptive Communicators
Extroverts can adapt their communication style to connect with a wide range of people, making them effective communicators. They have the ability to adjust their speech and vocabulary according to the person they are communicating with.
This makes extroverts some of the best teachers and therapists. Their talkative and charismatic nature, paired with their expressive body language, make it easy for others to engage and ultimately open up.
11. Extroverts Are at Risk of Burning Out
Due to their overzealous attitude to social engagement, extroverts are more at risk of burnout if they don’t balance their social activities with self-care and alone time. By either spreading themselves too thin or overcommitting, they risk neglecting their own needs and putting others first.
This is another disadvantage of being an extrovert, as not having a positive work-life and self-care balance can lead to mental health issues like depression.
12. They Make Great Salespeople
Extroverts’ ability to connect with others and make a good first impression allows them to be excellent salespeople and negotiators. Their talkative nature makes them great at asking questions, instantly making the potential buyer feel heard and acknowledged.
This is one characteristic of being an extrovert that many introverted people lack. The use of this trait goes beyond just selling products; it also helps extroverts sell themselves when it comes to job or business opportunities. It even assists them when forming romantic relationships.
13. Extroverts Find Comfort in Crowds
Outside of being energized by social events, extroverts will likely find comfort in these settings. Their free-spirited character allows them to trust those around them easily and often leads to them sharing quite a bit of personal information, even on the first meeting.
Because of their incredible comfort in crowds, extroverts usually feel comfortable in noisy environments like parties, concerts, and sporting events. They often leave these events with a long list of new acquaintances.
14. They Seek Novelty
One thing that most extroverted people tend to have in common is their eagerness to try new things. They often seek out experiences they haven’t had before and enjoy trying new hobbies, foods, and activities. This makes extroverts great travelers as they can easily adapt to new environments.
Extroverts love going out of their comfort zone and are constantly keen to make new memories. This is perhaps one of the biggest differences between introverted and extroverted people, as the former usually shy away from dopamine-inducing situations while the latter is a sucker for thrills.
15. Extroverts Are Enthusiastic Storytellers
Extroverts make fantastic storytellers. Their enthusiasm when speaking and incredible ability to convey messages using body language gives them the upper hand when it comes to communicating, especially storytelling.
This could explain why most artists, actors, and theater performers are likely to be extroverts. Their confidence and outgoing nature easily transcend into captivating performances that leave audiences wanting more.
16. They Are Active Problem Solvers
As mentioned previously, extroverts tend to think as they speak, and this is a powerful skill that allows them to solve problems quickly. They seem to tackle challenges through open discussion or brainstorming with others, offering different perspectives and increasing the number of viable solutions.
Extroverts are often accused of overspeaking and overshadowing other people’s thoughts, but that is more of a personality issue than a general characteristic. Most extroverts are actually very open to outside views, as this is a form of external stimulation.
17. There Is an Extrovert Spectrum
Like many things in the world, extroversion has a spectrum. The extrovert spectrum shows a range of personality traits and behaviors associated with extroverted people. It acknowledges that extroverts can display different degrees of sociability and outgoingness.
So, while some extroverts may be highly sociable, talkative, and energized by social interactions, others may show these traits to a lesser extent. This is perfectly explained by the Swiss psychologist Carl Jung’s theory of personality.
It states that both introverts and extroverts can view the world through four functions — thinking, feeling, sensation, and intuition. Here’s a brief breakdown:
- Extroverted thinkers are driven by logic and practical outcomes rather than feeling.
- Extrovert feelers are social and charming and love being the center of attention.
- Extroverted sensors often live entirely in the outside world, leaving little room for introspection.
- Lastly, those with extroverted intuition are the dreamers who often resort to spiritual and mystic insights to solve problems.
Ultimately, the spectrum highlights the diversity within the extrovert personality type. This proves that not all extroverts are the same, and individual differences exist even when people have similar characteristics.
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JayDee Vykoukal is a writer, author, mom, and Doctor of Physical Therapy. She has been writing about everything motherhood and health-related since 2018 when her first daughter was born, and she wanted to stay home. She loves to research new topics and fun facts with her kids to teach them about the world.
