Are extroverts more confident? (A Complete Guide)

In this article, we will discuss Are extroverts more confident?. We will do that by describing what confidence is. We will then explain how confidence is usually associated with extroversion and introversion. Next, we will move on to describe the importance of self-confidence, what confident and unconfident behavior looks like ad finally, the strategies one can employ to be more confident. 

Are extroverts more confident? 

No. Not all extroverts are confident. Confidence is a skill that develops over time. Extroverts only have the ability to socialize but that does not mean they are confident. It is a myth that is often associated with them. Similarly, being introverted does not mean one lacks confidence. Both extroverts and introverts can be confident since extraversion and introversion is related to how we prefer to gain energy and how we lose energy and not with how confident or self-assured we are.

What is confidence?

Confidence refers to the belief that one can rely on someone or something. It is the belief that one has the capacity to meet the challenges of life and be successful. Knowing what one’s assets and limits also allow one to know how secure they are in themself.

Projecting confidence is a different matter. It takes a strong impression and the ability to deal with pressure to show someone you mean what you say. Telling someone you can deal with different personal and professional challenges and actually doing them are different things.

Extroversion and confidence

Extroverted people are stereotypically thought of as loud,  social, and life of the party.  People think these people are highly confident all the time.  In reality,  extroversion has nothing to do with confidence.  Both extroverts and introverts can be confident in their own unique way.

 According to Linda to Blair, a clinical psychologist,  extroverts lack the chemical which stimulates them to do things.   Due to this,  they have to seek deadlines and social pressure. They need high pressure in order to function in situations. This means that it is harder for them to get things done.

Being extroverted means they enjoy the company of people but not that, nothing scares them about social situations. They also have their comfort zones and getting out of those can be uncomfortable for them. They may appear confident but they will have their own fears and insecurities that they could be masking quite well due to their strong social skills. 

Confidence on the other hand is a skill that can be learned. Our confidence may vary depending on the situation. Each of us may have our ups and downs. Confidence does not mean being able to socialize with people which is usually associated with extroverts. 

Introversions and confidence

Rachel Anderson (Executive Coach and social introvert) says that “shyness, lack of confidence and introversion are often associated in popular understanding. But this isn’t necessarily the case”. So, we cannot say introverts are less confident than extroverts. 

Importance of self-confidence

 Being confident in yourself means that you trust your judgment and your abilities.  You feel were the and accept your imperfections no matter what other people say.  Confident people have a sense of self-efficacy.  This means that they believe if they learn and work hard,  they can succeed.  Accordingly,  search people can tackle difficult challenges and do not hesitate in the face of setbacks. 

What confident and unconfident behavior looks like

Confident people do what they think is right even if other people criticize them or make fun of them. They are willing to take risks and invest their time to achieve things. They accept their accomplishments and receive congratulations from people in an open manner. They accept compliments and own their work.

In contrast, a person with low confidence would act according to how other people want him to act.  They stay in their comfort zone and are fearful of failure.  They also try hard not to make any mistakes.  They do not own their accomplishments and dismiss compliments by others.

People who are confident in themselves can be successful because they have the ability to express themselves and own what they say.  They inspire others to be confident and take on challenges that are difficult.  This is because they have faith in their ability that they can handle things.

Extroverts can show either of the above two behaviors despite having good social skills.

How to be more confident

 We have often heard the term  ‘Fake it till you make it’.  Although it is a good tactic to calm your nerves,  but one has to back up their words with actions.  People  can act more confident in the following ways:

Body language

 Using an open posture,  open gesture, and hands facing the audience shows the idea that you are willing to communicate with your audience.  In contrast,  a slouched body,  hidden hands in pockets,  and leaning back posture look as if you do not want to communicate to the person in front of you.

Face to Face communication

Maintaining eye contact with someone while talking to them face to face shows that you want to take an active part in the conversation. It also shows that you are interested in what they are saying and want to continue the conversation.  It is better that one avoids looking anxious and fidgety.  While meeting someone for the first time,  shake their hands firmly but not too strong as that can send the message that you are trying to dominate them.  It can also make your encounter awkward.

  Establish challenges for yourself

People who seem confident can also doubt their abilities.  A person may have great ideas but find it difficult to express them.  It is important that one tries to identify their strengths and weaknesses and come up with a plan to improve weak areas.  At times, the bullying behavior of others can make one feel less confident.  It is important that you practice assertiveness to make sure other people hear you and do not take you for granted.  Make sure people respect your boundaries and that you communicate it when someone tries to cross them.

If you’re facing this, it may be a good idea to seek the help of a therapist or other mental health professional. You can find a therapist at BetterHelp who can help you learn how to cope and address it.

FAQs: Are extroverts more confident?

Can extroverts have low self-esteem?

Yes. Extroverts can have low self-esteem even though they are thought of as the most secure people in the world due to their outgoing, social, and gregarious nature. They are equally likely to have low self-worth, doubt themself and their abilities, and engage in self-destructive behavior.

Are extroverts insecure?

Yes, extroverts can be insecure. Even though they act like they are self-assured, extroverts are equally likely to have low self-esteem and may try to compensate for their weaknesses.

Do extroverts have anxiety?

Yes. Extroverts have social anxiety. It is quite hard for them as they get energized by being in social situations but also feel fearful of them. Being away from social interaction can be lonely for them and add to their unhappiness.

Are extroverts more successful?

Not necessarily. Although extroverts can be successful in their career due to their proactive behavior, introverts are equally likely to be successful.

Conclusion

In this article, we discussed Are extroverts more confident?. We found that not all extroverts are confident. Confidence is a skill that develops over time. Extroverts only have the ability to socialize but that does not mean they are confident. It is a myth that is often associated with them. Similarly, being introverted does not mean one lacks confidence. Both extroverts and introverts can be confident since extraversion and introversion is related to how we prefer to gain energy and how we lose energy and not with how confident or self-assured we are.

 I hope you found this article interesting. If you have any queries or comments, please state them in the comment section 😊

Citations

https://www.businessinsider.com/what-being-an-extrovert-means-2018-4#:~:text=A%20stereotypical%20extrovert%20is%20loud,just%20manifests%20in%20different%20ways.

https://jocowlin.com/confidence-nothing-extrovert/

https://www.mindtools.com/selfconf.html

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