Identifying and Working with Different Personalities in the Workplace

The key to being successful in the workplace is to understand and embrace each personality type.  The more you understand about the people you are working with the easier it will be to identify the strengths and weaknesses of each person to the benefit of the team.  There are numerous versions of personality types being used to identify coworkers.  The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator identifies four categories of personality types: Extravert or Introvert; Sensor or Intuitive; Thinking or Feeling; and Judging or Perceiving.  These four categories of types are broken out below along with examples of how to spot each type. 

The Extravert:  Extraverts enjoy team projects and tend to thrive in group settings that let them interact with other coworkers. They are energized by social situations and love to meet people and network.   You will be able to spot the Extraverts in the office because they like to organize company parties or the group happy hours, know the names and personal details of coworkers and clients, stop by your office to verbally discuss issues or ask questions, and frequently speak up during company meetings or brainstorming sessions. 

The Introvert:  Introverts thrive in solitude and observe and consider everything around them before acting.  They prefer to have time alone to think about the projects they are working on or to develop new strategies.  You will be able to spot the Introverts in the office because they might send an email to ask a question or give information instead of walking down the hall to personally talk to the person, eat lunch in their office, say very little in team meetings, or keep their thoughts to themselves until their ideas are fully formed. 

The Sensor:  Sensors are quick to notice the details of people and things around them and focus on the facts, making them strong observers and investigators.  Sensors do not mind doing the same type of work repeatedly.  Sensors tend to focus on concrete ideas, and the here and now.  You will be able to spot the Sensors in the office because they tend to be practical, methodical and literal, deal with concrete facts, and avoid discussions related to theory or abstract ideas. 

The Intuitive:  Intuitives are the idea people, the big picture thinkers and the theorists. They like high level discussions and tend to focus on abstract information and concepts instead of the details.   You’ll be able to spot the Intuitives in the office because they bring imagination and vision to their work, think outside the box, are always looking for ways to improve and implement new procedures and systems, and go with their gut.

The Thinker:  Thinkers are objective and tend to have a calm approach in making decisions and handling situations in the office.  They believe decisions should be based on truth and be logical.  It is often difficult for a Thinker to make compromises and cooperate with the team.  You will be able to spot the Thinkers in the office because they may find it difficult to admit when they are wrong and will likely fight to prove they are right, enjoy debating with team members, and stand behind their decisions, even if it is not popular among the team. 

The Feeler:  Feelers are concerned with the personal implications of their decisions. They prioritize developing and maintaining relationships and excel at adding their personal touch to their work.  Feelers understand that people and situations are all different.  They think carefully about the outcome and impact of their words and how a decision will affect the people involved.  You will be able to spot the Feelers in the office because they are sensitive to the needs and feelings of others, identify with others, and are diplomatic and careful in choosing their words. 

The Judger:   Judgers are the people who maintain the detailed daily task list, set monthly goals, and have a five-year plan.  Judgers tend to plan projects way in advance and make sure their work time is structured to meet those deadlines.  You will be able to spot the Judgers in the office because they arrive on time or early, encourage coworkers to set goals and objectives for themselves, develop daily schedules and follow them, tend to be bossy or controlling, and are ready to make decisions, even if they do not have all the information they need at the moment. 

The Perceiver:  Perceivers prefer freedom, flexibility, and adapt to change quickly.  They tend to take their time, collect the information they need, then make the sprint towards the finish line. You will be able to spot the Perceiver in the office because they usually show up a little late, have no problem changing plans in the middle of a project when a better idea comes along, gather as much information as possible before making a decision, and tend to go with the flow.     

Now that you are equipped to take on the personalities within your office, you have the power to understand your own strengths and weaknesses, discover ways to work more pleasantly with others, use the team strengths to benefit the office, and find solutions for areas of conflict.  Remember, “a diversity of personality styles makes for better problem-solving, more flexibility, and a more balanced approach to work.” (source: www.Typefinder.com).  With this newfound power, your clients will have the best team around.  

References: 

www.typefinder.com

Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI)