Understanding Personalities

Photo by Thomas Hawk

Think about a strong team you know.  Were the team members all the same?  Probably not.  Different personalities can motivate one another, while similar personalities may actually prove to be detrimental in a workplace environment.  Teams and organizations need a variety of personalities in order to be effective because the right mixture of personalities helps to balance analysis and creativity and boosts employee morale.

There are lots of different models for understanding personalities, and each provides different insight.  Myers-Briggs, DISC, and Tetramaps are just a few examples that I've encountered at various organizations, and they've each helped me to better recognize what sets me apart from others.  They've also been useful in better understanding how to interact with others.  It's easy to blame others for our frustrations or label them negatively, but the problem lies in our reaction.  Learning more about yourself and others can help change your reactions.