To be effective, sometimes leaders need to display aspects of both introversion and extroversion

A stereotypical extrovert loves to engage with people, and derives energy from it. For stereotypical introverts, the reverse is true: they prefer to keep to themselves, and too much interaction with others saps their energy. But ambiverts display traits of both personality types, Professor Karl Moore told CBC Radio’s The Weekender with Jared Monkman. The word dates back to the 1920s, but Moore has revived it after interviewing many senior leaders as part of his research program. Moore found the word to be a particularly apt description of the personalities of many senior executives. “At times, a leader needs aspects of both,” he says. “An extrovert sometimes needs to shut up and listen to be a better leader. And an introverted leader sometimes needs to work the room, and pump up their game a little bit in order to be inspiring.”