16 Personality Types in the Workplace
By Michelle Farmer, Senior Account Specialist (Property & Casualty)
In the business world (and life) there are so many different personality types we encounter. Understanding those personality types can be the beginning of a successful and collaborative workplace. Based on the Myers-Briggs personality assessment, there are 16 personality types that workplace leaders should identify and build emotionally intelligent relationships around. This all starts with having a better understanding of those various types of personalities and how their tendencies can affect working relationships and productivity.
This list is based on material borrowed from the author, Tiffany Bloodworth Rivers, who used the TV show, The Office, as her example of each personality type in her own article on iOffice (which I thought was brilliant).
ANALYST PERSONALITY TYPES:
Analysts are just that, logically well suited to digging through fact and fiction and figuring out how to improve a situation. Great puzzlers, Gamers and problem solvers so they are good at helping to create a better way of operating.
- The Architect – Problem Solver
- Fiercely independent
- Likes a stimulating challenge
- Can seem arrogant
- Judgmental at times
- Logician – Abstract Thinker
- Technical
- Like to be intellectually stimulated
- May miss emotional or social cues
- Like guidance not rules
- Commander – Natural Leaders
- Strong willed/firm
- Can be stubborn, ruthless, and impatient
- Are known for accomplishing their goals no matter the cost
- The Debater – Devil’s Advocate
- Energetic
- Quick thinker
- Can be argumentative
- Easily bored
- Need a flexible environment
DIPLOMAT PERSONALITY TYPES:
Diplomat personality types are compassionate connectors, contributors and collaborators of the Workplace. Often their compassion, leaves them feeling discouraged or feeling afraid. They have a humanistic approach to dealing with co-workers and life.
- The Advocate – A very Rare breed. Difficult to get to know.
- Reserved
- Although loyal
- Determined
- Motivated by the pursuit of perfection
- Restless & easily frustrated
- MUST respect their privacy
- The Mediator – Creative (Artists)
- Intuitive
- Idealistic
- Gravitate toward careers where they can be creative
- Do NOT like dead-lines
- Need purpose in their work
- The Campaigner – Socializer/Brightens the day
- Loves people
- Can talk your ear off
- Needs help focusing
- Happiest when working with people
- The Protagonist – The Cheerleader
- Lifts others up
- Prefer a harmonic workplace
- Great at rallying large groups to join a cause
SENTINEL PERSONALITY TYPES:
Sentinels are creatures of habit, they love routine and may feel a sense of duty to help others during difficult times, such as COVID or major deadlines. Sentinels can be trusted to complete tasks through to the end in an orderly and dependable fashion. They can bring a sense of structure and stability to an office.
- The Logistician – Master of Order
- Cannot Stand missing deadlines
- They Imbue dependability and personal integrity
- Expect follow through from others
- The Defender – Passionately Defend Others/Self
- Loyal
- Supportive
- Often reluctant to change
- Motivated by a strong sense of duty to others
- Rarely ask for help, so asking if you can help them may go a long way
- The Executive – Rule Keeper
- A Law and order type
- Honest
- Hard work above all else
- Detest laziness/cheating
- Want to advance constantly in their career
- The Consul – Sensitive/Helper
- Spreads cheerfulness
- Positive energy
- Love helping and spending time with others
- Can be very sensitive (not comfortable with their own sensitivity)
- Do not take criticism or rejection well
- You can acknowledge their achievements to help them feel more confident
EXPLORER PERSONALITY TYPES:
Explorer personality types can be bold, hands-on, and enthusiastic. They go with the flow, naturally flexible and great in a crisis. They have traits and tools that help others adapt in stressful times. They thrive in exciting times, so they need to avoid distraction.
- The Virtuoso – Spontaneous Risk-Takers
- Mysterious
- Not know for commitment
- Risqué sense of humor
- Like lists
- Take on tasks with enthusiasm, as long as list of duties are clearly defined
- The Adventurer – The Charmer
- Often Unpredictable
- Not great at Planning the future
- Although very charitable
- Selfless
- The spontaneous nature of these personalities can be important for special “missions”
- The Entertainer – Social Butterfly
- Crave the spotlight
- Charismatic
- Great at Sales
- Hospitable
- People Oriented
- Can get easily bored or Lose focus quickly if left to their own devices
- LOVE TO LAUGH
- The Entrepreneur – The Risk Taker/Rebel
- Plunge headfirst into new opportunities without thinking it through
- Thrive in social settings
- Love new learning opportunities
- Often feel stifled in corporate environments
- Rules are made to be broken
- You can get them excited about new systems and products they love it.
Throughout my own career I have learned that working with so many different types of personalities is part of what makes life so interesting. It is what makes our workplace run so efficiently, as each person on our team has a specific function that helps us reach our goals and embrace new visions and opportunities.
I believe the more you can recognize a personality type, the more you can help someone feel like they are a part of a team. You can help them find their place by gently, or sometimes not so gently depending on their personality type, push them in the right direction. Thus, our communication becomes so much better, and we continue to grow in our understanding of our beautiful home away from home.
Check out Tiffany Bloodworth Rivers’ own article at: https://www.iofficecorp.com/blog/workplace-personality-types
- Published in Blog
Emotional Intelligence for Your Inner & Outer Child
By Alesha Combs, Account Manager
Kids only know what they’re taught. What were you taught as a child and what do you want to teach your children? Think back to your 4- or 5-year-old self. For me, at that time, there was an emphasis on learning the ABCs and 123s, science, manners, and learning how to read; these all took center stage. But what about social and emotional intelligence? Many of us were taught to be kind, and were made aware of the different types of emotions that exist, but too often the extent of children’s education regarding emotion is classification of the emotions that are “good” and socially appropriate, or “bad” and should be suppressed. All emotions are valid. Even if you’re never taught to identify them, you can bet you’ll have the opportunity to feel the full range of them over the course of a lifetime.
Fast forward to your adult life. You’re responsible for dealing with a range responsibilities and life’s unknowns. These will evoke strong emotions and you’re now responsible for dealing with them, well…like an adult. You use the tools you were given and taught in your formative years as the baseline for managing these things, and you sharpen the edges of these tools as you grow and receive more opportunities to use them. So do you let yourself experience your emotions fully, or do they make you uncomfortable? Do you know how to respond in a healthy way when you experience those dreaded “bad” emotions like stress, anger, grief, anxiety, fear, insecurity, or envy, or are you still working on it?
Emotion is an unavoidable part of life. The self-help industry continues to grow, as adults seek out new ways of improving themselves and learning how to live and enjoy life. Unavoidably, this includes learning how to manage our emotions. The self-help industry is projected to reach a net worth of 13 billion dollars by 2022. Be honest, how many self-help classified books do you have sitting on your bookshelf? Now how many are sitting on your child’s bookshelf, and how often are you talking to them about their feelings in a positive manner, versus in response to negative behavior?
Author and illustrator Diane Alber has created a wonderful range of interactive children’s books and toys all focused on helping children build their confidence and promote their social and emotional intelligence. She’s created a series of interactive stories, focused on the emotions that we all experience. These books provide children with tools that can be easily implemented to help engage and encourage mindfulness in the way they understand and respond to their feelings. I recommend the “A Little Spot of Emotion Box Set”. Diane even provides access to an Educator Guide, which parents can use as a tool to help chaperone their children through this learning process and help them receive the most from it.
Parents are given an opportunity to learn when they take the time to teach their child(ren). Diane Alber’s books are primarily geared towards children ages 4-8, but the fundamentals of emotional intelligence are a welcome reminder for all ages. Give yourself a break from that 400-page Self-Help book that you feel guilty (ah emotion!) for not finishing, even though it’s been sitting on your table untouched for the last who knows how long, and give your inner-child a refresher on the basics. You can check out and purchase Diane Alber’s books online at https://www.dianealber.com/.
- Published in Blog