A personality indicator quiz helps to define employee personalities using some sort of coding system to help team members understand their own personality and their colleague’s personalities. When employees understand how their personality affects their work style (self-awareness) and the work style of their teammates they will know how best to work together as a team. This knowledge can reduce the amount of team conflicts and tension significantly if applied consistently.
Myers-Briggs Type Indicator or MBTI
The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator uses a four letter code (e.g. ENFJ) that defines a person’s personality based on four preferences of focus: favorite world (introversion/extroversion), information processing (sensing/intuition), making decisions (feeling/thinking), and amount of structure (judging/perceiving). The indicator was based on Jungian psychology and was developed by Isabel Briggs Myers and her mother Katharine Briggs.
The instrument used to determine the four letter code is a test that asks a series of questions that force a preference or answer that is the best fit. For example: When you attend a party, do you prefer to: a) mingle and introduce yourself or b) watch from the sidelines? (Note: this is just an example of the type of question for illustration purposes; it is not an actual question from the copyrighted MBTI instrument).
Based on the results of the instrument, one of 16 possible four letter codes is assigned to the employee. The employee then can read a profile based on their four letter code.
To take the true Myers-Briggs instrument, you need to hire a certified Myers-Briggs trainer. However, there are many books and articles with simple tests that can be administered based on the Myers-Briggs concepts to get a rough idea of employee Myers-Briggs Types. An example of an online test using the Myers-Briggs principles can be found here.
True Colours Four Temperaments
The True Colours methodology was developed in 1978 by Don Lowry. True Colours uses a colour coding system (Blue, Gold, Green, Orange) to define a personality temperament.
“Identifying your personality and the personalities of others using True Colors provides you with insights into different motivations, actions and communication approaches.” (True Colours International)
There are four personality colours defined by the True Colours test:
- Someone who is dominantly a “gold” typically values responsibility, planning, discipline, activity, due diligence and playing by the rules. Golds frustrate others by being controlling, bossy, obsessive, judgemental and typically being a workaholic
- Someone who is dominantly a “blue” typically values honesty, peace, acceptance, communication, emotional intimacy and wit. Blues annoy others with their lack of planning, passive style as well as their excessive generosity and sentimentality.
- Someone who is dominantly an “orange” typically likes to go with the flow, flexible schedules, spontaneity, play, variety, adventure and they typically hate paperwork and recordkeeping. Oranges annoy others by ignoring rules, lack of preparation, impulse purchases and actions, quick reactions and speaking without thinking.
- Someone who is dominantly a “green” typically likes originality, intellectual debates, substance, competence and logic. Greens annoy others with their future thinking, lack of social graces, verbosity, and strong reactions to criticism. Typical Greens love change for a purpose and are highly independent.
There is a certification process for a True Colours Trainer and an online test is available for a fee from the True Colours official website. A free online version of the true colours test can be found here.
Regardless of the test or instrument used to determine personality types, the concept behind the tests is the same; to become more self-aware and understand the diverse personality traits of others. This team dynamics knowledge is helpful for team building by improving cooperation and communication.
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