Personality Tests in the Workplace, pt. 2
Now that we have determined there is a use for personality tests in the workplace, you will need to choose which test will work best for your company. Every test gives you a different set of results that apply to different traits and characteristics of a person. Keeping in mind that tests are never 100 percent accurate and that no one should be put in a box, here is a list of the most popular personality tests and what type of results you can expect from them.
If you have not already go back and read Pt 1 “Personality Tests in the Workplace”
1. Meyers Briggs Type Indicator
This personality test has a variety of 16 possible results. After answering about 100 questions the results will tell you:
How people recharge and where they are most comfortable putting their focus, on the environment around them or their own. [Extrovert or Introvert]
Do people take information at face value, or do they interpret it? [Sensing or Intuition]
When making decisions are they first looking at logic and consistency or are they looking at people and special circumstances? [Thinking or Feeling]
Do they prefer to stick with what they know or are they open to new information and new ways of doing things? [Judging or Perceiving]
Once you have your results the online assessment provides in-depth descriptions of the 16 personality types, it will give you an overview of the personality, the common strengths and weaknesses, ideal career paths, workplace habits, and more.
These descriptions are very open about where each personality shines and where each one may find pitfalls this can help in the workplace not only by knowing where each person is most useful but also how the team can come together and help where others are not as strong.
Test can be found here: https://www.16personalities.com/free-personality-test
2. Enneagram
This personality test has a possibility of nine main results. These results will tell you:
An overview of that personality type
That personality type’s fears, desires, and motivators.
How that personality type tends to act when they are healthy, average, and unhealthy.
Personal growth recommendations
Each of the nine main types can have a “wing” meaning which side they tend to lean towards (a 3 can lead more towards a 2 or a 4) this will add a little more depth and detail to that person’s characteristics.
Tests and descriptions can be found here: https://www.enneagraminstitute.com/
3. Predictive Index Behavioral Assessment
This test is a quick test with two lists of adjectives. The first list, you are asked to choose which words describe how others expect you to act. The second list, you are asked to choose words that you believe describe yourself. With this information the test will show you if you are high, average or low in terms of:
Dominance
Extraversion
Patience
Formality
The test will show you two different patterns: self and self-concept. The self-pattern shows an individual’s drives, needs and how they naturally react. The self-concept pattern shows how an individual may adapt to their natural behaviors to the expectations of their current work environment.
Comparing the two patterns can help shine light on any tensions between an employee and their current workplace. The results will also provide you with an overview description of your determined personality.
Predictive Index offers training for those who want to truly be able to read the results effectively. https://www.predictivesuccess.com/training/predictive-index-training/
The test can be found here: https://www.predictivesuccess.com/try-the-behavioral-assessment/
4. DiSC
This personality test will take you through a list of questions and the results will determine:
Dominance
Influence
Steadiness
Compliance
By adding the results of how high you ranked in each category can tell you if you are more active or reserved, and more task driven or people driven. Depending on what category you ranked most highly it will provide you with a list of adjectives that are believed to describe you best.
This test can be found here: https://www.123test.com/disc-personality-test/
5. Big 5 Personality Test
This test will determine:
Openness: to new experiences or ideas
Conscientiousness: a persons level of goal orientation and persistence vs impulsivity
Extroversion: likelihood of seeking stimulation for the outside world
Agreeableness: how much a person empathizes and prioritizes others needs
Neuroticism: tendency to respond to stressors with negative emotions
The full, detailed results will show you what traits you tend to have depending on how high or low you ranked in those 5 categories.
The test can be taken here: https://www.truity.com/test/big-five-personality-test
Depending on what is most beneficial for your company to know will help you in determining which test to take. Don’t miss my next blog where I will cover how to make sure the results from these tests do not go to waste and are implemented properly to assist in a healthy work environment.