New Year, Be You!
How does your personality affect your strengths?
Before we can answer that question, we must first know who we are. Personalities are a fascinating topic, more so, what those personalities are capable of when placed in an environment where they thrive and their strengths can shine.
What have you done to figure out who you are?
How do you define who you are in your personal and professional life?
How does knowing your personality type help you with your career?
According to Paul Tiger, author of “Do What You Are”, what determines the first part of the four dimensions to your personality type (E) Extrovert vs (I) Introversion is “how we interact with the world and where we direct our energy.” Energy is everything in life and this so-called energy can give someone a sneak peek into the puzzle pieces that make up who you are and more importantly, a glimpse into what professional job role you would thrive in. What does it all come down to? Direction!
As “Do What You Are” explains, “Extraverts get their batteries charged up by being with others”; where “Introverts focus their attention and energy on the world inside of themselves…so they need time to “recharge their batteries”.
The beauty of understanding who you are and your personality type is you get to make wiser career choices. You get to understand the careers that you should really consider, evaluate from that list, and then go on a more purposeful job search adventure. By knowing your personality traits, you can confidently go after opportunities that align with your higher purpose, where you can give the best of yourself. Turn your obsession into your profession!
Is there really a tool out there that can give us insight into the ideal career path for each of us as unique individuals?
Knowing the rich history behind the Myers-Briggs test (16 Personalities) solidifies its credibility. This one-of-a-kind test has been around since World War II, when Katherine Cook Briggs and daughter, Isabel Briggs, wanted to help individuals find jobs that are the best match according to their personalities/strengths. They wanted to help improve overall job performance and satisfaction; and we are still using this groundbreaking determinant. A solid way to identify your ideal "calling" in the world. Personality and Strengths go hand-in-hand, one cannot coexist without the other. Therefore, when we are in doubt of what career path we should embark on or if we are indeed on the right career path currently, sometimes all we need is a proven outside perspective to really highlight what we've known all along but didn't quite know how to define it.
“Temperament is the key to career satisfaction.”
The reason temperament plays such a key role in determining success are two elements: values and our motivations. The twelve personality types are grouped into four temperament types: Traditionalist, Experiencer, Idealist, and Conceptualizer.
What does it all mean?
How is it helpful in your current job search journey?
What is the best type of job according to your specific type?
What’s YOUR temperament?!
Traditionalists (ESTJ, ISTJ, ESFJ, ISFJ) value service.
Experiencers (ESTP, ISTP, ESFP, ISFP) live life to the fullest and need a sense of freedom and fun in a job.
Idealists (ENFJ, INFJ, ENFP, INFP) value meaningful relationships, collaboration, and teamwork.
Conceptualizers (ENTJ, INTJ, ENTP, INTP) value knowledge, challenges, innovation, and creative problem-solving opportunities.
According to “Do What You Are”...
Traditionalists make up approximately 46% of the American population value service, family, and authority. They have a high level of responsibility and thrive in "stable, predictable work environments" where there are "clear directions and expectations." They have a more "conventional approach" to life and are motivated by results.
Experiencers make up approximately 27% of the population value freedom and are motivated by spontaneity, fun, and experiences. They are attracted to and thrive in physically engaged job roles where their skills are put to use in a more casual work setting and where they are not "micromanaged."
Idealists make up 16% of the population value relationships and utilizing their empathetic abilities to help others above all else and are motivated by "improving people's lives". At the end of the day, whatever job role an Idealist chooses needs to be meaningful where they can be creative in a "tension-free, supportive work environment".
Conceptualizers make up approximately 10% of the population find both value and are motivated by knowledge. Any career path that involves high-levels of intellectual challenges would be ideal because they find great pleasure in solving problems in a strategic manner and have "high standards for themselves and others". Due to the fact that they work great independently, they naturally thrive in leadership roles.
Extravert vs Introvert. The real difference between these two “types” is what fuels their fire and what makes them feel the most alive. How they utilize their strengths is completely different and for a good reason. Let me be clear, one “type” is not better than the other. Both are needed to create a balanced and synergistic powerhouse in any work environment, industry, and team. Then we have more layers to personalities, like the idea of a “Sensing” individual versus an “Intuition”. Again, both are needed to communicate a company message to gain that dynamic outreach to the plethora of personality types out there, waiting to connect to that product or service. People will listen and understand if the person conveying the message speaks their personality type “language”. Everyone is unique and we all can make a difference in our roles; that is the beauty in understanding your distinctive strengths according to who you are.
One way to embark on the journey of getting to know yourself to BE who you are is by uncovering your Personality Type. I challenge you to take the free 16 Personalities test if you have not already. It is important to identify your characteristics, traits, strengths, and even weaknesses to fully understand your potential.
This is just a sneak-peek into one of the many tools you can utilize to understand and appreciate both your strengths and weaknesses. Check out these assessments to help identify your characteristics, strengths, and more.
16 Personalities (free)
VIA Character Strengths Survey (free after sign-up)
Disc Personality Assessment (free)
Personal Strength Inventory (free)
Strengths Finder ($)
The greatest investment you can make is in yourself. Take the time to know you, so you can Be You.
Interested in discovering your personality strengths and/or finding a career that makes you happy? Call (208) 329-6528 or email info@idahonextstepscoaching.com now to prepare for the new year!