Tag: personality

Extroverts Around the World: Getting to Know the Most Extroverted Countries

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Extroverts thrive in social settings, drawing energy from interactions with others. 

Understanding which countries have the most extroverted populations can provide insights into their vibrant social cultures. 

Data obtained from a three-year study of individuals who took the NERIS Type Explorer personality test allows us an inside look at which countries are most extroverted and which are most introverted.

Let’s explore some of the world’s most extroverted nations and how their geography and culture foster this outgoing nature.

Central America: Nicaragua

Nicaragua leads the list with a +14.97% extroverted population.

Known for its warm and welcoming people, the country’s tropical climate and beautiful landscapes, including beaches, volcanoes, and lakes, create a perfect backdrop for social gatherings and outdoor activities.

Nicaraguans have a strong sense of community, often coming together for festivals, street parties, and cultural celebrations, which amplifies their extroverted nature.

Middle East: Lebanon & United Arab Emirates

Lebanon, with a +12.78% extroverted population, is a country where socializing is a way of life. 

The Lebanese culture values hospitality, family gatherings, and vibrant nightlife. 

Beirut, the capital, is known for its lively social scene with numerous cafes, bars, and nightclubs. 

The Mediterranean climate further encourages outdoor social activities, making Lebanon a haven for extroverts.

The United Arab Emirates, with a +7.99% extroverted population, is a hub of cultural and social diversity.

Cities like Dubai and Abu Dhabi are famous for their luxurious lifestyle, bustling markets, and high-energy events. 

The cosmopolitan environment of the UAE fosters a culture of social engagement and networking, making it a prime destination for extroverts.

Africa: Rwanda, Cameroon, Uganda, & Nigeria

Rwanda, with a +10.32% extroverted population, is known for its communal culture and strong social ties.

The country’s emphasis on community development and collective well-being fosters a sense of togetherness.

Rwandans often participate in community events and traditional dance and music gatherings, reflecting their extroverted spirit.

Cameroon, with +8.43% extroverted, offers a diverse cultural landscape that promotes social interaction. 

The country’s numerous ethnic groups and languages contribute to a rich tradition of festivals, music, and dance. 

This vibrant cultural scene makes Cameroon an extroverted nation where social bonds are celebrated.

Uganda, with a +7.69% extroverted population, is renowned for its friendly and sociable people. 

The country’s lively markets, music festivals, and national parks provide ample opportunities for social interaction. 

Ugandans’ love for storytelling and communal activities further highlights their extroverted nature.

Nigeria, with a +7.43% extroverted population, is one of Africa’s most dynamic countries. 

Known for its bustling cities, particularly Lagos, Nigeria has a vibrant social life characterized by music, dance, and festivals. 

The Nigerian culture emphasizes communal living and social networks, making it an ideal environment for extroverts.

Asia: Uzbekistan & Afghanistan

Uzbekistan, with +8.5% extroverted, boasts a culture rich in hospitality and social interaction. 

The country’s tradition of tea houses (chaikhanas) serves as social hubs where people gather to share stories and build connections. 

The vibrant bazaars and cultural festivals also contribute to Uzbekistan’s extroverted nature.

Afghanistan, with a +7.56% extroverted population, has a culture that places a strong emphasis on family and community. 

Social gatherings, traditional music, and storytelling are integral parts of Afghan life. 

Despite the country’s challenges, the Afghan people maintain a resilient and extroverted spirit, fostering strong social bonds.

Oceania: Fiji

Fiji, with a +7.25% extroverted population, is known for its friendly and welcoming people. 

The island nation’s culture revolves around community and social activities. 

Traditional Fijian ceremonies, communal feasts, and vibrant dances reflect the extroverted nature of its people, making Fiji a paradise for social interaction.

Understanding the extroverted nature of these countries offers a glimpse into their dynamic social cultures.

From the bustling markets of Nigeria to the communal tea houses of Uzbekistan, these nations exemplify the vibrancy and energy that extroverts bring to the world.

Introverts Around the World: Getting to Know the Most Introverted Countries

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If you’re an introvert planning your next vacation, these reserved countries are for you. 

As an introvert, you might long for destinations where solitude is celebrated and quiet moments are abundant. 

Interestingly, due to their cultural tendencies and geographical landscapes, some countries naturally cater to introverts . 

The insights I’m about to share were gathered from a three-year study involving 40.1 million individuals who took the NERIS Type Explorer personality test. 

Countries with fewer than 1,000 respondents were excluded, ensuring a robust dataset.

Let’s explore some of the world’s most introverted countries, where peace and privacy reign supreme.

European Nations: Lithuania, Poland, & Finland

Lithuania leads with 55.6% of its population identifying as introverted. 

This Baltic nation is known for its serene landscapes and historical sites. 

The Lithuanian culture emphasizes quiet and reflection, making it a haven for introverts.

Poland, with 54.83% introverted, has a reputation for being reserved. 

The Polish people are known for their quiet nature, which can initially seem introverted to outsiders. 

This demeanor is deeply rooted in cultural traits that value privacy and thoughtful interactions. 

The peaceful countryside, alongside the historic cities of Warsaw and Krakow, provides a perfect backdrop for those seeking solitude and reflection.

Finland, with 54.65% introverted, is renowned for its northern location and pristine natural beauty. 

The Finnish culture values silence and personal space, with locals often retreating to summer cottages by lakes or enjoying the quietude of the forests. 

Finland’s emphasis on nature and simplicity creates an environment where introverts can truly thrive.

Asian Countries: Russia & The Maldives

Russia, with 53.9% of its population identifying as introverted, is known for its vast, sprawling landscapes.

Home to the enormous, sparsely populated Siberian tundra, the country’s introverted nature is evident in its numerous bed-and-breakfast inns and secluded retreats.

The Maldives isn’t too far behind, with 53.89% of its population identifying as introverted. 

This archipelago in the Indian Ocean is renowned for its stunning coral reefs, luxurious overwater bungalows, and serene beaches. 

The Maldivian culture values privacy and relaxation, creating a perfect setting for introverts to unwind and rejuvenate.

North America: Canada

Canada, with 51.24% of its population identifying as introverted, is known for its politeness and reserved demeanor. 

The country’s vast wilderness areas, from the Rocky Mountains to the serene shores of its many lakes, offer expansive natural beauty and tranquility. 

Introverts find solace in Canada’s unassuming charm and untouched nature.

South America: Chile, Brazil, & Argentina

What came as a surprise to me is that many nations in South America were high on the list of introversion.

Chile has a 55.46% introverted population, characterized by its stunning remote landscapes, from the Atacama Desert to the Andes Mountains. 

Chilean culture respects introspection in line with many of the cultures on this list..

Brazil, with 54.93% introverted, offers a unique blend of vibrant culture and personal space. 

While famous for its lively festivals, many Brazilians value quiet time, illustrated in the country’s rainforests and serene beaches.

Argentina, with 54.57% introverted, showcases its introverted disposition through a distinct sense of individuality and privacy. 

The country balances vibrant cultural life with secluded retreats, from the bustling streets of Buenos Aires to the remote Patagonian landscapes, making Argentina an appealing destination for introverts.

Africa: Algeria

Algeria was the only African country to make the top 10.

Algeria, with 51.15% of its population identifying as introverted, is known for its vast desert landscape – home to the Sahara, the world’s largest desert. 

This North African country offers a unique environment where its introverted nature is complemented by a respect for personal space and privacy.

This exploration into the world’s most introverted nations highlights the beauty of cultural diversity and the importance of finding vacation locations – and potential homes – that resonate with our personalities.

The Five-Factor Model: Are Gendered Personality Traits Universal?

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Do personality traits differ across gender? 

And do those differences translate across cultures?

Last week, we talked about how age differences in personality follow a universal pattern.

But are gendered personality traits also universal?

This study dives in.

NEO Personality Inventory-Revised

A standard questionnaire has been developed according to the Five Factor Model to provide a systematic assessment of the five major domains of personality in relation to motivational, attitudinal, experiential, interpersonal, and emotional styles.

Defining each domain are six traits/facets.

This questionnaire is known as the NEO-PI-R.

For the 2001 study by Costa, Terracciano, and McCrae, this questionnaire was distributed to college-age and adult men and women in 26 countries to collect a sample size.

Results of Cultural Gender Study

As a reminder, the five factors are Neuroticism (N), Extraversion (E), Openness to Experience (O), Agreeableness (A), and Conscientiousness (C).

The data collected showed that men in the U.S. typically scored higher on E and O, particularly in facets of assertiveness and openness.

Women in the U.S. typically scored higher on N and A, but also scored higher on E and O in facets such as openness to aesthetics and warmth.

There was little difference in C between men and women in the U.S.

When compared to other countries, these gender differences appear universal.

Worldwide, men scored higher in the facets of openness to ideas, excitement seeking, assertiveness, and competence, while women scored higher in the facets of openness to aesthetics, straightforwardness, vulnerability, and anxiety.

Does this mean gender differences are biologically based, or are gender differences universally shaped in this way by each and every culture and thus adapted by each personality?

That’s a question waiting to be answered.

Progressive vs. Traditional

Was there a chasm between more progressive cultures and more traditional cultures regarding the magnitude of gender differences in personality traits?

Yes, but not how you’d expect.

You would think that the gap in gender differences in personality would be reduced in modern, progressive cultures and would be greater in traditional cultures.

But the opposite was found.

Modern European countries like The Netherlands saw a broader gap between genders than traditional countries, like South Korea.

One explanation for this may be the way such traits are attributed.

Robert R. McCrae explains,

“In countries where women are expected to be subservient, they attribute their low Assertiveness to their role as a woman rather than their traits. By contrast, European women who are equally low in Assertiveness identify it as a part of their own personality.”

Further studies might take a closer look at this seeming contradiction to get a clearer idea of this gap.

We’ll talk more about personality profiles of cultures next week.

The Five-Factor Model: Do Personalities Age the Same Way Across Cultures?

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Does your culture have a personality?

Let’s use the Five-Factor Model to find out.

Developed in the United States in the ‘80s and ‘90s, the Five-Factor Model (FFM) is an exhaustive taxonomy of personality traits (defined as “tendencies to show consistent patterns of thoughts, feelings, and actions”). 

The personality structure model has been applied in various cultures and is described as universal.

Gender differences in personality and personality attributes related to age – like a boost in conscientiousness and a reduction in openness from adolescence to adulthood – also seem to be universal.

This has led to the FFM being used internationally by psychologists in various functions.

So what is the Five-Factor Model, and what does it mean for cross-cultural studies?

The Five Factors of the Five-Factor Model

We’ve already mentioned two of the factors in the FFM: conscientiousness and openness to experience.

The three others are extraversion, agreeableness, and neuroticism.

Let’s take a closer look at each of these factors:

  • Conscientiousness – exhibiting behaviors such as foresight, duty, and responsibility.
  • Openness to experience – exhibiting behaviors that are thoughtful, inquisitive, and show a willingness to meet intellectually challenging tasks.
  • Extraversion – exhibiting behaviors that are energetic, assertive, and gregarious.
  • Agreeableness – exhibiting behaviors that are sympathetic, empathetic, and kind.
  • Neuroticism – exhibiting behaviors that are irritable, moody, and emotionally unstable.

Where is the FFM Used?

This popular trait model of human personality has been used by researchers and practitioners in clinical, social, and industrial-organizational spheres.

It’s also used in cross-cultural research.

One study, for instance, sought to determine if the changes in the mean levels of all five factors between adolescence and the age of 30 were purely American.

The original study found that 

“In terms of personality traits, 30-year-olds resemble 70-year-olds more than 20-year-olds.”

Cross-cultural researchers analyzed similar data from a dozen countries – including Germany, Russia, South Korea, Japan, and Britain – and found that the personality patterns amongst all twelve countries were similar, suggesting a universal maturational process.

As humans meet mid-adulthood, they become less open to new experiences and less enthusiastic, but more altruistic, adjusted, and organized.

This personality trend is common in all societies.

We’ll look at more cultural research regarding the FFM next week.

4 Managerial Styles to Cope with Stressful Decision-Making

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You are facing a global pandemic. You must decide the best approach to keeping your business afloat.

How do you protect your bottom line? Do you lay off workers? Can you do mental gymnastics and reassess your business model, making the current economy’s limitations work for you?

The way you cope with the stress of complex business decisions reflects both your personality and your culture.

Four different managerial styles have been identified through research.

We’ll call these styles:

  • The architect
  • The free spirit
  • The expert-seeker
  • The panic attack

You may recognize one – or all – of these strategies in yourself and your management methodology.

Let’s take a look at each.

The Architect

This form, which is most taught in schools of management, considers alternative solutions to complex business decisions through the attentive collection of facts.

This methodology and its application is one in which Western managers pride themselves.

An architect is a planner, accounting for the whole picture and all potential outcomes.

The Free Spirit

Complacency and spontaneity are the main tools in the free-spirit’s managerial toolbox.

No complicated decision-making process is employed; the free-spirit takes the first available practical course of action that presents itself.

In doing so, she may be blind to alternatives with better outcomes.

The Expert-Seeker

Instead of relying on his own managerial expertise, the expert-seeker passes the buck to those more knowledgeable or qualified on the subject.

The expert-seeker might consult a specialist or supervisor in all aspects of an issue in order to direct his decision-making.

The Panic Attack

The last managerial decision-making style is one you should avoid.

This tactic involves succumbing to panic mode and making reckless, ill-advised decisions largely based on hysteria.

Obviously, this decision-making methodology is not recommended.

Personality and Culture Impacts Decision-Making Methodology

Your decision-making process is largely impacted by both your personality and culture.

Although you’ll find all four strategies in every culture, some styles may be more predominant than others.

For instance, you’ll find The Architect methodology is applied more often in Western cultures (e.g. the U.S. and Australia) than in, say, Japan or other East-Asian countries.

That does not mean the chosen strategy is any less rational or effective (unless we’re talking The Panic Attack).

The difference in methodology is based on a different set of cultural norms and values so, rather, a style that is ineffective in one culture may be more effective in another.

As we discussed in past posts, people act rationally within their own culture.

One example:

Intuition and emotion often direct Japanese managerial decision-making.

Due to the collectivist values of the culture, a primary concern will be how the decision might be received by the group and how it might affect the social fabric.

Collectivist societies take stock in the collective view; the welfare of the entire group, rather than simply the individual, is most important.

We’ll talk more next week about other biases in the managerial decision-making process.

The Three A’s: Developing Personality Traits to Manage Successfully Across Cultures

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Last week, we discussed that managers who lead successfully across cultures often demonstrate the following qualities: empathy, flexibility, emotional stability, open-mindedness, and social initiative.

Does this describe your personality?

If your answer is ‘yes’, then great! You’ll probably make an exceptional leader, no matter what cultural environment you find yourself managing in.

But if you find you’re lacking in some (or all) of these personality traits, that doesn’t mean you can’t improve upon them and succeed as a leader across cultures.

To do so, consider the Three A’s.

The Three A’s

In this blog, we often discuss accepting, adapting, and adopting culture – the three A’s.

Whether or not you naturally possess personality traits that assist cross-cultural integration, abiding by these three A’s will improve your efforts. In doing so, you will avoid Monkey Moments. You’ll also more successfully manage in a foreign culture and generally improve your cross-cultural skills.

Accepting, adapting, and adopting enable you to methodically face cultural conflicts head-on, rather than just winging it and hoping for the best.

Ask Yourself…

The following statements are binary: you may lean more strongly to one side or the other. The stronger you lean toward either side, the harder it will be for you to integrate into a foreign culture.

If you find both extremes to be acceptable, then you are demonstrating cultural competence.

Finding another’s values/norms acceptable doesn’t mean you must find them “right”; it just means you are willing to override your own cultural ethnocentricity, boundaries, education, and convictions, in order to properly accept, adapt, and maybe even adopt another’s.

As with last week’s self-assessment, note to what degree you agree with the following statements:

  • “Everyone is responsible for their own actions.” / “Fate determines the outcome of events.”
  • “Asking direct questions is the best method to attain information.” / “It is rude/intrusive to ask direct questions.”
  • “Being vague in your responses is dishonest.” / “Avoiding answering directly/honestly prevents hurt and embarrassment.”
  • “Punctuality and efficiency are virtues demonstrated by intelligent people.” / “Spending time with the people you love is more important than punctuality.”
  • “Being on a first-name basis shows friendliness and familiarity.” / “Addressing people by their first name is disrespectful.”
  • “It is important to maintain eye contact with people who are speaking.” / “Direct eye contact with those of higher status is impolite.”

After reading through these binary statements, do you find either side completely unacceptable? Or is the opposite extreme something you’d not only be willing to accept but to adapt to?

If you’re leaning toward the latter, tune in next week as we discuss more in depth how to accept and adapt to another culture.