Debunking myths about personality types

One of my favourite topics we cover in my Leading Successful Change program is personality types. We talk through the different models and pros and cons and then I share in detail the personality type model that I think is easiest and simplest to practically use in the workplace day-to-day. We then take it a step further by delving into how to build trust and connection with that personality, communicate with that personality, how they make decisions, how you can engage them in training, and more.

But it was a surprise that one Learning and Development Manager I worked with on a system change was like: “Oh, people find learning about personality types very confronting.” This is such a massive shame to me because discovering more about who you are and how to work better with yourself and others can be a huge booster for self esteem, confidence and effective communication, not to mention trust and collaboration with your team.

I think the fear with personality types is that they’ll pigeonhole you into qualities, habits and patterns that you are ashamed of or don’t think will allow you to be successful.

Let’s debunk this assumption with some clear and hard truths and bust this myth so we can move on and actually extract the value from learning about our own and others’ personality types:

1. Take results with a grain of salt

If you feel like the results of a personality test totally aren’t you - that’s ok! Remember that we all are born with then grow up with a particular personality, and then we get layers of programming, nature versus nurture, patterns and beliefs and just the way social or life events that happen to us may start to change and adjust the way that we react in situations. You might be different personalities in different social settings or based on who you’re working with, so trying to fit your kaleidoscope of humanity into a single personality type isn’t the aim: see what feels right from your results and use it to understand more about yourself. And once you’ve learned about personality types and are trying to put your finger on other people’s, there’s no right or wrong. In NLP, we say: “There is no failure, only feedback.” It's taking all the information and all the little clues and then just doing your best guess and it doesn't really matter if it's right or wrong.

2. You can totally (and definitely are!) a mix of personalities

You’ll likely have a dominant or main personality type but that doesn’t mean you kick all the rest to the curb. Instead, think of yourself as having a spectrum of each personality type - there are elements of all them within you, but there’s just more elements of some. 

3. You can absolutely get on with others like you

People often think there can only be one of a personality type in a team or relationship, otherwise they’ll clash and conflict. Not the case at all! In fact, I love working with people who are a lot like me because we sync and flow together like magic or I get to step back and take a break. It’s about working flexibly with whoever you’re with and deciding how you want to show up to get the outcomes you need together. And sometimes you don't know whether somebody's just putting on a front of the personality they think they need to be to be most effective. 

4. You can definitely change your personality

I was super introverted as a kid. I was really loud and boisterous at home, but at school I was super quiet and I didn't really become more comfortable talking publicly or meeting new people or going to parties until I was going to university. Now - anyone who meets me would probably say I’m an extrovert but I’m actually more ambi - I am energised by others and I also need lots of time and space alone to reflect, rest and recharge. People change over time, but then also it is about those programs and those layers. 
 

5. Every personality type can be a leader

In almost every personality type test, I come out the “born leader” option. But the truth of the matter is - any personality type in any personality type model can be a leader. It’s about acknowledging, accepting and leveraging your gifts and skills to step up into your leadership and your light and you will shine and inspire and empower others as you do. The first step really is just awareness.

There's just 3 days left to join my Leading Successful Change program, where you'll learn how to harness the power of personality types to best influence and lead change more easily with your stakeholders. **On 1 July 2023, the course investment will be going up to $5,000 AUD, but if you join now you'll get in at the current course investment of $3,333 AUD.**

You'll also be able to come along to our next monthly Coaching Call on Wednesday 5 July to ask questions, get engagement ideas, and solve sticky stakeholder challenges when you join LSC by 30 June 2023: click here for more info and to join the program before the course investment goes up

Lata xx