Looking at the strengths and weaknesses of my personality type and workplace habits.
Today, I retook the infamous Myers-Briggs ’16 Personalities Test’ to see how I function in the workplace, my strengths and weaknesses, and how someone with my personality type usually handles with different workplace situations.
I‘ve actually taken this test two or three times since first hearing about it five or six years ago, particularly after when I feel that I’ve had a long period of change and/or noticed that I’ve grown as a person. But every time I’ve taken the test, I have always ended up with the turbulent, Campaigner type (ENFP-T), obviously with fluctuations in the statistics each time.
Although I’m aware that there’s lots of speculation around personality quizzes, how accurate they really are, and if it’s based on liable scientific evidence or studies, there’s something positive to be said for personality tests and its passive doorway into seeking self-knowledge. It’s entertaining and a guilty pleasure to learn more about the self, or which Animal Crossing resident I am, or what BoJack Horseman character I’ll be - which turned out to be Diane, or for anyone that knows the show really well, I’m more of a Zelda.
So, what does the test say?
In general, I feel that the test is accurate to me, with one or two exceptions. Although I consider myself to be a quiet person with people I’m not very familiar with, I really enjoy socialising and living in the moment with people. I enjoy deep conversations, discussing different views and theories with others, and analysing subjects to understand them on a deeper level, like in books, TV shows, and other people's behaviours. I’m always open to advise and information but usually go with my gut feeling on most decisions, having my life being mostly driven by what feels like fate. For example, when deciding between my two career paths – between being a baker that makes really cool cakes or becoming an artist – I flipped a coin and let fate decide. Heck, maybe I could do both at some point. Lastly, I’m terrible for handling high amounts of stress and get easily flustered (unless in an emergency), and hold myself to an incredibly high and critical standard of how I should be or behave. Which has often been detrimental to my personal growth and mental health. This is equally how I felt about myself before the test and what the test has identified.
Moving on to how I supposedly am in the workplace, I do value "The chance to explore new ideas, and the chance to conduct that exploration alongside other people who share their excitement" as the test suggests.
I prefer to be guided by someone instead of bossed and view myself as someone who is "growth-orientated" relying on creativity and adaptability. Additionally, I always want to jump from one project to another, until my perfectionist instinct kicks in and something absolutely necessary has to be finished first. As a test suggests, I’m "not [a] fan of heavy hierarchy and bureaucracy… [And prefer to] establish real friendships, and use… broad popularity to inspire and motivate, taking on the role of leader, working alongside their subordinates, rather than shouting from behind [a desk]."
As far as strengths and weaknesses go, I feel that this is easier to explain based on whether suggestions from the test are either true or false in terms of myself:
Strengths:
Curious
Observant
Energetic and Enthusiastic
Excellent communicators This is something I am still developing, I can usually explain myself well but I feel like I have a different way of talking about things that makes it really hard to understand.
Know how to relax
Very popular and friendly I don’t feel popular at all, perhaps this is due to how I feel about myself rather than an actuality. But I think I am friendly.
Weaknesses:
Poor practical skills
Find it difficult to focus When given a task I can usually focus on it for hours at a time, if it’s a personal self-set task I often can’t focus for more than a few days.
Overthink things
Get stress easily
Highly emotional In the moment, usually yes, but often very in control.
Independent to a fault
So, what does this mean?
Depending on how you view personality tests, if you feel they’re plausible or not, it might not mean anything. For me, it’s a way to look at a core element of myself from an outside perspective. A way to confirm my strengths and weaknesses, being surer in myself as a person and learning how behaviours I identify with effect other people. Like I said before, the passive doorway to self-knowledge.
Why not give it a try? It could shine a light on a hidden part of your personality, or maybe you’ll discover that you think personality tests are boring. Either way, you can say that you discovered something.
"Personality is just one of many factors that guide our behaviour, however. Our actions are also influenced by our environment, our experiences, and our individual goals. On our website, we describe how people belonging to a specific personality type are likely to behave… The information on this website is meant to inspire personal growth and an improved understanding of yourself and your relationships – not to be taken as gospel." Myers-Briggs 16 Personalities Test