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Tell-tale signs you have a polarizing personality (& what to do about it)
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Do you find yourself making lots of friends and enemies? If so, you likely have a polarizing personality. Polarizing people have the ability to be likable with one person and unlikable with the next. But how do you really know if you’re polarizing? Luckily, you’ve come to the right place. In this article, we’ve broken down everything there is to know about polarizing personalities, from what they are to how to tell if you have one. Keep reading to see if you’re truly a polarizing person.
Things You Should Know
- If someone is polarizing, the general public has mixed feelings about them. Some people love them, while others hate them.
- Polarizing people are often decisive and divisive. They know what they want and aren’t afraid to divide people to get it.
- Being polarizing is neither good nor bad. Ultimately, what you do with the power your personality holds determines how people perceive you.
Steps
Section 2 of 4:
15 Traits of a Polarizing Personality
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You’re divisive. One of the main signs that you’re polarizing is that you’re a naturally divisive person. People tend to have mixed feelings about you—some like you, while others don’t.
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You’re decisive. When you make a decision, you stick to it. You don’t wallow or go back and forth when making choices. You know what you want, and people can’t usually change your mind.
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You’re confident and ambitious. You’re the main character of your own story, so why should you worry about what other people think? If you want something, you’re not afraid to go for it (no matter what it takes). You have big dreams and a whole lot of chutzpah.
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You’re opinionated. With your confidence and eager attitude, you’ve certainly got a lot to say. You don’t hesitate to give people your 2 cents, which can sometimes give people an impression that you’re a know-it-all.
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You don't prioritize popularity. You know you’re not everyone’s cup of tea, and you’re totally cool with that! Popularity isn’t a concern—if people don’t like you, they just have to deal with it.
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You stand out. You’ve likely never blended into a crowd if you have a polarizing personality. Eyes are naturally drawn to you, whether that’s from your fashion choices, energy, or good looks. All in all, you can’t disappear from the public eye.
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You’re an open book. Transparency is your middle name. People don’t have to guess what you’re thinking—they just have to look at your face. If you’re polarizing, there’s a high chance you wear your emotions on your sleeve.
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You’re one of a kind. If you’re a polarizing person, you’re likely unique. You don’t fit into a mold—you’re authentically you! While this can be uplifting and inspiring, it may also scare or intimidate others.
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You don’t put yourself in a box. Stereotypes are bogus to you. In your mind, strengths and weaknesses are one and the same. A polarizing personality doesn’t fret about what you should be but what you can be.
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You struggle with boundaries. If you’re polarizing, you probably don’t worry too much about other people’s boundaries. When you have a plan, you’ll go for it, even if it means crossing a few lines. You’ll often say inappropriate things or overshare.
- You are either super great with boundaries or you struggle with boundaries. It's possible you're actually very transparent, set great boundaries and people get frustrated with you because they cannot take advantage of you.
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You attract attention. People tend to gravitate toward you if you have a polarizing personality. What can you say? You’re magnetic. Because of this, you can easily influence others, which may be perceived as charming or manipulative.
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You don’t go with the flow. If you’re polarizing, you most likely don’t do what other people do just because they’re doing it. In other words, you follow the beat of your own drum. You make your own rules and trends.
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You love a good debate. You’ll jump at the chance to share your opinion no matter the topic. Honestly, the more divisive the topic, the better! If you’re polarizing, chances are you believe everyone should be able to speak their mind, even if their opinions aren’t mainstream.
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You can be combative. With your strong opinions, you can easily poke people’s buttons. You don’t necessarily mean to cause a ruckus or disagreement—you’re just speaking your mind. A polarizing nature can make you the center of arguments. [3] X Research source
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You can be a bit manipulative. More often than not, people say you’re calculated if you’re polarizing. You can easily speak your mind and sway others; you may even gaslight those who disagree with you (intentionally or not). Either way, you’re often perceived as deceptive or manipulative because of your influence. [4] X Research source
- Others may accuse you of gaslighting even when you are being transparent and opinionated.
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References
- ↑ https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/polarizing
- ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7201237/
- ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/headshrinkers-guide-the-galaxy/201111/be-polarized-is-be-paralyzed
- ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/fulfillment-any-age/202012/7-basic-personality-ingredients-difficult-people
- ↑ https://carnegieendowment.org/2020/07/23/7-ideas-to-reduce-political-polarization.-and-save-america-from-itself-pub-82365
- ↑ https://carnegieendowment.org/2020/07/23/7-ideas-to-reduce-political-polarization.-and-save-america-from-itself-pub-82365
- ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-squeaky-wheel/202009/10-ways-become-more-likable
- ↑ https://news.uga.edu/psychologist-discusses-how-to-identify-difficult-people/
- ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7201237/
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