What is an otrovert? (Hint: not an introvert, extrovert, ambivert or omnivert)
Accepts shades of gray
No need for validation
… Anyone see themselves?
When beginning my book group’s new selection, The Gift of Not Belonging by Rami Kaminski, M.D., my expectations were low. I thought this would be yet another book about improving self-esteem by being OK with who you are.
Instead, I was surprised to read descriptions of a social/personality type with characteristics that largely aligned with aspects of myself that have always seemed like a social anomaly. If one accepts Dr. Rami’s analysis, then I am apparently an otrovert. Wow, who knew?
The term “otrovert” is a combination of the Spanish word “otro,” meaning “other” and the Latin root verb “vert,” meaning “to turn.” Whereas extroverts turns towards, introverts turn away, ambiverts are in the middle, omniverts veer between extremes, this newly defined category of “otroverts” tends to stand somewhat apart. They are friendly, empathetic, independent thinkers who live outside communal beliefs and approaches (the “hive mind”), while remaining socially engaged.
What does this look like in practice? Here are two examples of what struck me so forcefully:
Otroverts are comfortable with ambiguity. I first saw this quality in myself during law school. Our professors often challenged us to explore the lineage of legal precedents, how one case built upon others that came before. It seemed to me that this often required tying ourselves into pretzels as we tried to reconcile court opinions that were clearly (to me) incompatible. I saw no need to promote belief in such a well-integrated system of decision-making when in fact the process was much less clear and reliable that we were being taught. This was NOT a popular position; I didn’t try to convince everyone else, but I quietly followed my judgment on this. Nowadays, of course, adherence to legal precedence has become more obviously fraught in light of recent U.S. Supreme Court outcomes.
Otroverts don’t need outside validation. I don’t think there is anything wrong with wanting validation (sometimes it can be motivating in very positive ways), I just seem to be missing that gene. This is most apparent in my art. I love to draw and paint, and I’ve never cared what other people think about my art, so long as I am satisfied with what I have produced. This makes me an outlier in virtually every conversation with other visual artists about the need to have our work seen, and the satisfaction that comes from people who admire our work or even purchase it. I truly have never cared about this. The same applies in other aspects of my life, but it is most apparent in an artistic context.
Of course, not every identified characteristic of an otrovert applies to me. For example, otroverts are not comfortable with conflict. I don’t seek out conflict but I don’t fear it, either. My approach is to seek common ground wherever possible, but when that is not an option, I’m willing to take on tougher challenges. Also, otroverts are comfortable being alone and uncomfortable being in groups. I do like my own company, but I also love doing improvisational comedy and improvisational dance, both of which involve being in a group, and staying highly attuned to each individual and the whole for an extended time.
What do you think? If you read the book or visit The Otherness Institute’s website, https://www.othernessinstitute.com/, or even if you don’t, I’d love to know your reactions.
