Introvert, Otrovert…or just wired differently?
What Human Design reveals about the way you connect with others
If you haven’t yet heard there’s apparently a new personality type. And it’s good news for those who never fully identified with the concept of being either an extrovert or an introvert (or the newer addition, the ambivert). Now we have a fourth, rebellious option for describing our relational style and it is immediately more nuanced and intriguing; enter the otrovert.
And it turns out the otrovert is very of the moment. According to American psychiatrist Dr Rami Kaminski who coined the new term, otroverts are not defined by the way they recharge in specific situations but instead move fluidly between social and solitary spaces and draw energy from a more dynamic connection to their authenticity. Kaminski highlights that these types possess an inherit refusal to conform or be influenced by group-think and therefore it’s their originality that makes them distinctive.
“They are people who, regardless of circumstance, persistently sense they’re on the margins,”
-Dr Rami Kaminski, The New Scientist
I’m intrigued by this new type….especially when a marked feature of the otrovert is emotional detachment. Apparently Hayley Bieber recently shared that she identifies as an otrovert and it made me wonder, are we seeing more of these traits in response to our digital lifestyles and addictions to screens? Are more people emotionally checking-out and presenting with apathy because they are burnt out and depleted from the hectic pace of their workdays? And aren’t we all learning to be more honest about which social interactions are worth our energy and how to say no?
Maybe we see a version of us that we aspire to be when we read about how the otrovert rejects social pressure and lives outside social norms. Because, allow me to remind you, five years ago there was only a very small percentage of people worldwide who refused to follow the group-think mentality. So there can’t be too many otroverts in existance, by that very definition.
Or maybe there’s so much buzz around the newly coined otrovert because it is, ironically, a label for people who don’t fit into labels. The reason this resonates culturally at the moment, is because there is a deep craving for originality and authenticity in the world right now. Two things that we have been starved of in the online world of curated feeds and trend-based marketing.
While these labels have dominated personality psychology for decades and most personality assessments use the extrovert-introvert axis to map out a person’s style of relating, these options can be restrictive. A social interaction can be recharging for someone who might consider themself an introvert, if the circumstances are correct for their unique needs. Similarly, someone who may be described as an extrovert might feel drained by a social interaction with the wrong type of people or that requires them to show up in a way that does not feel authentic; a person’s style of relating with others is influenced by different factors in the moment and this will be experienced differently for everyone. That’s why we see the introduction of these new terms, as specialists in this field attempt to account for those who don’t fit neatly into the prescribed boxes.
The Human Design system offers an alternative perspective.
The Human Design System allows people to understand what makes them original and embrace their authentic voice. It generates a visual map of our energetic imprint at birth. This unique map (called a Bodychart) gives us a distinct process for connecting with others and exchanging energy with the world.
So, rather than trying to fit into the box of introvert, extrovert, ambivert or now ‘otrovert’, instead we each have our own unique box.
In Human Design, we each have a completely unique way of recharging and engaging with others, that is nuanced and also influenced by our changing environment, our energy type, as well as our social conditioning. I’ve talked about this previously, in the context of identifying your niche or your differentiation through the unique gifts of your Human Design. The ultimate form of specialisation is becoming a specialist in the strengths that come to you naturally and are part of your energetic make-up.
So let’s have a look at the different definitions in Human Design and how they are designed to connect with others. If you would like to look up your chart you can do that here. If you’re not sure what Human Design is or where to start, I wrote an overview of the different energy types and how it can be used as a self-awareness tool.
The different types of wiring in Human Design
If you think of the Bodychart as a visual map of your electrical wiring, then the definition is what shows us where we have a consistent flow of energy. This is represented by the coloured in gates, channels and centres in your Bodychart. The definition is the fixed and reliable parts of you and each of the different configurations (split, triple split, single or quadruple definition) reveals the way our energy flows and how we relate to others.
The definition in your chart also determines how you assimilate and process new information. For example, if you have definition at the top of your chart (the location of your ideas, mental processing and opinions) but it is not directly connected to your defined solar plexus or your spleen, then they are operating as separate circuits. This means it may take you more time, and interaction with others, to connect to both your thoughts and your feelings or your intuition.
Below is an overview and an example of each of the different types of definitions in Human Design, as well as some insights to how you process information and how you relate to others. Your definition type (single, split, triple split or quadruple split), combined with your energy type (Manifestor, Generator, Manifesting Generator, Reflector or Projector) will give you your very own, nuanced style for relating with others in different situations- but the key is to experiment with it yourself to see what helps and what feels right for you.
Split Definition
Split Definition is the most common type, making up approximately 46% of people. These are people that are built for collaboration and work well in partnerships and teams. The circuits of energy in their chart form two distinct aspects that are not connected. Because of this, they do not have a closed circuit and therefore on an energetic-level they are always looking to “plug-in” to the energy fields of those around them so that they can bridge the two different parts of their energy.
People with a split definition:
Are naturally designed for connection and will have a deep drive to bond with others ( this will be influenced by other aspects of the chart)
Benefit from being on a team and working in collaboration with others
Thrive in business partnerships
May need more time to process information or connect with how they feel, what they think etc.
Split Definition team members often excel in co-working spaces or cafes, as they find inspiration and feel more motivated in collaborative environments.
Single Definition
People with single definition make up about 42% of the population. These people have all their defined centres connected through channels in a continuous flow. This means that their energy flows on a closed circuit and because of this they are able to process information much more quickly and don’t necessarily need the input of others to assimilate information (unless they have a defined solar plexus then there will be some delay with their emotional wave). These people need a lot more alone time than people with a split definition and their energy feels a lot more aloof and self-contained.
People with a single definition:
Need a lot of alone time
Thrive when they have autonomy and freedom over their time and their work
May not need constant check-ins, meetings or brainstorming time because they find it easier to process things quickly on their own
Benefit from clear boundaries around their shared/ social time and their alone time, especially in partnerships or in relationships with split definitions
Triple Split Definition
Only about 11% of the population has a Triple split definition. This means their energy is divided into three separate areas and so these people often need a lot of variety in their surroundings and their interactions to help them integrate information.
People with a triple split definition:
Operate very similar to the single definition and require frequent alone time
Benefit from having time and space to process information
Thrive when working with different teams and in various environments or changing their surroundings throughout the day
Need a balance of alone time and collaboration
Thrive when they have a lot of variety and frequent movement in their day, exposure to the ‘public aura’ through cafes, gyms or co-working spaces can be helpful for them
Triple Split team members often bring unique perspectives by synthesising information from various sources and experiences.
Quadruple Split Definition
This rare definition type has a unique preference for connection with a select few chosen people, they generally need a lot of time alone and can give off a very independent, self-assured vibe because of their very fixed energy. They make up less than 1% of the population.
Some other points about the way people with quadruple split definition connect:
People with this definition type will need time to step away to process information or when facing a conflict.
They also benefit from exposure to diverse viewpoints, so it’s healthy for them to have a handful of people who they can go to when they’re moving through something.
Talking things through with their chosen confidants is one of the best ways for this definition type to move through something, however there needs to be an element of trust with their support network
These people have a very fixed energy and so they will have a big impact on others and are less influenced by those around them.
It’s supportive for them to have the freedom to work across various projects and teams and, depending on their Profile, they may also have a preference for long periods of alone time throughout their day
Quadruple split individuals can be valuable in bridging gaps between different groups within an organisation.
No Definition
Comprising only about 1% of the population, these are our rare Reflectors. As there is no fixed definition in their chart, their channels and centers are constantly changing throughout the day as they move through different auras and this is healthy for Reflectors.
Some other points about the way people with this definition connect:
These are people who need a lot of variety in the types of people and interactions they have in their day-to-day and their week
They also process information objectively; so talking things through with others is extremely supportive as they often need to see and hear a range of perspectives before they land on a sense of clarity or process what they have learnt
It’s healthy for those with No definition to move between teams or cycle across projects in their work day, so that they have exposure to new connections as they quickly become bored or detached when they are forced to remain with the same group of people or on the same task for a long amount of time
Reflectors are designed to sample the aura of those around them and this can often come across as them reflecting back aspects of yourself, so you may notice familiar traits or mannerisms when you’re around them and this is because of their chameleon-like nature.
I would love to hear whether you resonate with your definition type. As you begin to observe those around you and how it feels to connect with them, you might also notice these patterns and attributes as the different energies become more familiar. This will be especially noticeable between split and single definitions because their energies are so distinct from one another. Feel free to share your own about your own experiments with your definition type.
If you would like to learn more about how your energy works and the type of work environments that are healthy for your unique design, you can book in a Career Alignment Session where you get my eyes on your chart. In this session I help unpack your story, move towards clarity and create a work-schedule that fits with your natural energy.