Introvert and extrovert test

Here is a short introvert and extrovert test to help you decide, it then makes some recommendations to answer ‘so what’.

There are many introvert extrovert tests and introvert quizzes available to help people understand if they are introverted, extroverted or in between. A very well known (although not accepted by psychologists as being valid) test is the Myers Briggs type indicator (MBTI). Psychology Today have a test on their website that you may also find interesting. Before testing though, let’s think about the purpose of a test.

Why bother testing?

The purpose of an introvert extrovert test (or introvert quiz) is one of the following:

• Improve performance. There’s little point in “just knowing”, far more in deciding what to do as a result.
• Determine the position of the person tested and measure change: A comparison with traits of introversion will help an individual determine if/ how they are introverted or extroverted and their position on a scale. I see no benefit in such measurement as the purpose of coaching is to allow the individual develop themselves in business, not to “become an extrovert”. So measuring “change” or a scale isn’t relevant.
• To help teams: Creating a discussion, and common language, in a team around the subject is a good way of improving team interaction and performance. A test such as MBTI can be a useful part of creating that common language.
• To help leaders: An introvert extrovert test that allows leaders to see “what their team members are” doesn’t help improve performance as much as developing understanding and changing behaviours of the leader (and individual).