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Outgoing or Reserved?

We all live in two different worlds at the same time: the outer world of other people, actions, events, and circumstances, and the inner world of our private thoughts, feelings, ideas, plans, reflections, and dreams. Both of these worlds are inescapable: you can't run from outward reality, nor can you flee from your inner self. Both are with us constantly, but we all have a "favorite" or a "home base". Those who prefer the outer world of action and interaction (being "out and about") are Outgoing; those who prefer the inner world of reflection and introspection (being "in and within") are Reserved.

Here are some more clues to help you pinpoint which style is more like yours.

	How easy are you to get to know? Outgoing types are usually quick to self-disclose (and may say too much too soon to the wrong person if they’re not careful); information just oozes out of them. Reserved types are usually slow to self-disclose and are cautious about when, what, and to whom they share (but may easily get a reputation for being tight-lipped or inscrutable); they bottle up information.
	What energizes – or depletes – you? When you’re in your "preferred world" (outer for Outgoing, inner for Reserved), you’re energized (could "keep doing this forever"), but when you spend too long in your "non-preferred world", you quickly get drained, demoralized, bored, frustrated, depressed. (Remember, though, that even Outgoing types do sometimes feel the need for solitude, and even Reserved types do sometimes feel the need for socializing. We're talking about relative preferences here.)
	Are you more of a generalist or a specialist? While this test doesn’t always work, in general, Outgoing types are society’s generalists who like to wear many different hats, dabble in a lot of different things, but who may (if they’re not careful) become too shallow ("jack [or jill] of all trades, master of none"). Reserved types are usually society’s specialists who like to dig deep into a particular area of interest and become expert at it, but who may (if they’re not careful) become too narrow ("learning more and more about less and less, until finally you know everything about nothing").
	What are your work preferences? In general, Outgoing people do their best work when they can spend time with other people, and are natural “front office” types – skilled at face to face communication, building relationships, and teamwork. In general, Reserved people do their best work when they can be by themselves, and are natural “back office” types – skilled at communicating indirectly (by writing or by doing), managing their own work, and making independent decisions.

Professional assessment tools are available through Business Development Group if you want a formal evaluation of where you fall on this or the other dimensions explained here. But many people can make a reasonable guess about whether they are more Outgoing or more Reserved, even if they fall close to the middle of this dimension. Which are you?

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