FIND YOUR MOST PRODUCTIVE TIME OF DAY

but they’ve practised deploying extrovert qualities. Becoming comfortable with public speaking is an example that comes up a lot. ‘Barack Obama is an introvert. Justin Trudeau is, too. He has had to learn to act like an extrovert when necessary. And at weekends he takes “introvert breaks” to refresh – long walks by himself.’

The term ambiversion was coined in the 1920s but barely used until about a decade ago. Susan Cain, the author of bestseller Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking, mentions it briefly in her TED Talk (the irony of an extreme introvert forcing herself to do a TED Talk isn’t lost on her). US psychology professor Adam Grant writes of the ‘ambivert advantage’ in a 2013 study that pinpoints the characteristics of the best salespeople as knowing when to stop the hard sell (extroversion) and listen to the client (introversion).

Western culture in the 20th century largely favoured the extrovert – this was the age of the celebrity, the cult of personality, open-plan offices and desk-grouping in schools enforcing team collaboration rather than individual reflection.

But times are changing. The pandemic has been a relatively good time to be an introvert, especially for those who can work from home. However, says Moore, ‘Two years in, even introverts need some human contact.’ There is a balance to be struck between the two ends of the scale. So here’s how to sharpen your ambivert skills… going. But also understand there may be people who often get talked over and they need space and time to speak. It’s about being empathetic.’

Be sure to take a mental break, though, says Moore, because acting like an extrovert when you’re an introvert, and vice versa, is tiring. The professor is an extreme extrovert so while alone at home writing his book for hours on end, he would take ‘extrovert breaks’ to recharge – wandering outside to chat to his neighbours. Conversely, one friend, who headed up a team of hundreds, would regularly stare down the barrel of days packed with hours of back-to-back meetings. Finding the constant stimulation draining, he reduced each meeting from an hour to 50 minutes and spent those precious ten minutes alone, popping out to buy a coffee or even hiding in the toilet so he didn’t have to speak to anyone. Not the most fragrant way to refresh, but it worked. me permission to stay and work the room.’

It also makes sense to think like an ambivert if you’re dating. ‘One of the most powerful leadership skills today is listening – something which an extrovert needs to take into account. It’s also good behaviour when dating. It’s attractive when someone listens attentively,’ says Moore. This applies to platonic relationships, too – if you’re meeting an introverted friend, you’ll probably both have a better experience if you go out for dinner à deux rather than to a big party. ‘If you can change your behaviour to align with theirs, it makes you a better person in terms of interpersonal relationships,’ says Moore.

Knowing how and when to best deploy your extrovert or introvert side can be helped by understanding your personal circadian rhythms, says Auerbach. ‘If you tap into this, you know when during the day you will perform best in an extrovert or introvert environment. If you are a morning lark, for example, you will have more energy and dynamism in the mornings – this is the time when you can do your most collaborative, extrovert work. Then when you slump in the afternoon, you can focus on routine work, emails and admin – tasks that mean you don’t have to interact too much with other people.’

The opposite tends to be true for night owls, who are more energised later in the day. Plan your schedule in accordance with your energy levels and you are likely to perform better.

You may also have a better month if you take into account your menstrual cycle (if you still have one) and harness its ebbs and flows. ‘In the first week of your cycle you tend to be more introverted, antisocial and want to retreat – maybe you can flex your work and social schedule to allow you to do that,’ says Auerbach. ‘Similarly, mid-cycle when your energy is rising, you’re more naturally extrovert.’ So if you’re throwing a party, that is your moment. Just be understanding if you catch anyone hiding in the toilet.

ADAPTING YOUR BEHAVIOUR CAN LEAD TO GREATER SUCCESS AND HAPPINESS