Personality tests have become a popular tool for personal development and improving workplace culture. Understanding your own personality type can provide valuable self-awareness and help you thrive in your career.
This guide will cover the basics of personality types, the value of personality tests in the workplace, tips for determining your type, and instructions on getting started with personality assessments.
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What is a Personality Type?
Your personality type refers to your ingrained patterns of thinking, feeling, and behaving. It is part of what makes you unique.
Personality types are often categorized into broad groups based on common traits. Some well-known examples include:
- Extroversion vs Introversion – Where you get your energy and focus. Extroverts are outgoing and energized by others. Introverts are inward focused and energized by solitary activities.
- Sensing vs Intuition – How you take in information. Sensors focus on concrete facts and details. Intuitives look at the big picture and underlying meanings.
- Thinking vs Feeling – How you make decisions. Thinkers use objective logic. Feelers rely more on personal values and empathy.
- Judging vs Perceiving – Your approach to life. Judgers prefer structure and firm decisions. Perceivers like to stay flexible and adapt to new information.
The Value of Personality Tests at Work
Personality tests have become a common tool used by HR departments and managers. Understanding personality types can provide several benefits in the workplace:
- Improve hiring and recruitment – Assess candidate fit for a role based on personality traits needed for success.
- Enhance team building – Form well-rounded teams with a balance of complimentary strengths.
- Increase self-awareness – Help employees understand their own natural tendencies so they can play to their strengths.
- Improve communication – Provide insight into how team members prefer to communicate and be approached.
- Identify growth areas – Pinpoint aspects of personality an employee can develop to become more well-rounded.
- Reduce conflict – Recognize personality clashes so they can be managed constructively.
Tips for Determining Your Personality Type
Figuring out your natural personality type takes some self-reflection. Here are 5 tips:
- Take a validated personality test – Reputable assessments like Myers-Briggs provide an objective measure.
- Look back on your life – Examine your long-term patterns of thinking, feeling and acting.
- Observe your daily habits – Notice what gives you energy or drains you.
- Listen to feedback – Ask others how they would describe you.
- Compare yourself to type profiles – See which archetype aligns with your tendencies.
For example, someone who loves brainstorming new ideas, goes with the flow, and avoids strict rules likely has an Intuitive and Perceiving preference.
How to Use Personality Tests at Work
Follow these 5 steps to implement personality assessments effectively in your workplace:
1. Choose a validated test – Myers-Briggs, DISC, and StrengthsFinder are reputable options.
2. Have each employee take the test – Ensure they answer honestly about natural tendencies, not ideals.
3. Share and discuss results – Go over each team member’s personality profile.
4. Identify strengths and growth areas – Note how personality impacts work style and effectiveness.
5. Use insights for improvement – Adjust communication, address conflicts, restructure teams, etc.
Sample Personality Test
Here is a brief personality test based on the Myers-Briggs model to help determine your preference in each of the four categories:
- Where do you get your energy?
A) From solitary activities like reading or reflecting.
B) From interacting with others and being social.
- How do you prefer to take in information?
A) By looking at concrete facts and details.
B) By seeing the big picture and underlying concepts.
- How do you tend to make decisions?
A) By analyzing options logically and objectively.
B) By considering how the decision aligns with my values.
- How do you approach life outside of work?
A) I prefer to make firm plans and stick to them.
B) I prefer to keep plans flexible and be spontaneous.
If you answered mostly A’s, you likely have an Introverted, Sensing, Thinking, and Judging personality type. If you answered mostly B’s, you likely have an Extroverted, Intuitive, Feeling, and Perceiving personality type.
Conclusion
Determining and understanding your natural personality type can provide valuable self-awareness and improve your experience in the workplace.
Personality tests are an effective tool that human resources and management can use to enhance teamwork, communication and growth.
With the right insights and application, personality assessments can help both employees and organizations reach their full potential.
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With 30+ years of experience, Catherine Fitzgerald, B.A., M.A., PGDip, founded Oak Innovation in 1995. Catherine received her Bachelor’s degree and Master’s from University College Cork. She holds qualifications in Professional Development And Training from University College Galway. She is completing a second Master’s from University College Cork. Since 1995, clients include Apple, Time Warner, and Harvard University.