My Reflection and Interpretation of Personality Types

Introduction

A personality is a set of enduring traits, characteristics, and patterns of behavior, cognition, and emotion that define an individual and make them unique. Although personality traits are generally stable, they can change as people are exposed to various circumstances and contexts. As a student, I have always been curious about human behavior and the factors that shape our personalities. Throughout my academic journey, I have encountered several personality assessments that have given me valuable insights into my character. The assessments have allowed me to understand myself better and highlighted areas where I can improve. This reflective research essay examines how these assessments have impacted my life, particularly in my managerial career. I will use academic research and scholarly articles to support my analysis and conclusions. I will discuss the impact of my various personality assessments, including the Kolb Learning Styles, MBTI, and The Big Five. Additionally, I will analyze three more personality assessments and how my scores on these tests will influence my managerial interactions. The various personality assessments I have taken have significantly impacted my life and helped me better understand myself as a manager, which will positively influence my interactions with others in the workplace.

Personality assessment Chart

Interpretation and discussion of the personality assessment

Myers-Briggs Type Indicator served as my initial assessment (MBTI). De Fruyt, De Clercq, and Mervielde (2002) cite Isabel Briggs Myers and Katharine Cook Briggs as the authors of this exam. A popular personality evaluation tool called the MBTI assigns people to one of 16 personality types. Before the test, I predicted that I would fall between an introvert and an extrovert. I was curious to learn more about my preferences and how they affect how I behave and interact with others. After taking the exam, I discovered I was an INFP; this personality type is characterized by introversion, intuition, feeling, and perceiving (Myers & Briggs Foundation, n.d.).

According to a study, those with high levels of introversion tend to be more introspective, reticent, and preoccupied with their inner feelings (Hock, 2017). Unlike those who score highly on the emotional dimension, intuitive people are frequently regarded as imaginative and eager to explore new possibilities (Hock, 2017). In contrast, those who score highly on the feeling dimension frequently prioritize the needs of others (Carson, 2018). Lastly, those who rank highly on the perceiving dimension frequently exhibit spontaneity, flexibility, and open-mindedness.

Learning about my INFP personality type helped me better understand my natural tendencies and preferences. I now know why I prefer calm, contemplative environments and am drawn to artistic endeavors. With this information, I can better make choices consistent with my talents and values and handle social situations in a manner that seems true to my personality.

I took the Big Five Personality Traits assessment as my second test. This popular personality test evaluates a person’s neuroticism, extraversion, conscientiousness, and openness to new experiences (Gosling, Rentfrow, & Swann Jr., 2003). I was interested in how my results stack up against those of others and whether they may reveal more about my personality. I did well on the test regarding being open to new things. This outcome validated my curiosity for discovering novel concepts and viewpoints. According to a study, those with high openness scores are likelier to be imaginative, curious, and open-minded. They are more likely to seek novel and interesting experiences and are frequently drawn to artistic endeavors.

The Big Five Personality Traits Assessment examines four other aspects of personality in addition to openness. Conscientiousness refers to an individual’s self-discipline, reliability, and goal-oriented behavior (Soto & John, 2017). Extraversion measures an individual’s level of outgoingness, assertiveness, and sociability. Agreeableness reflects an individual’s tendency to be cooperative, empathetic, and caring toward others. Finally, neuroticism measures an individual’s emotional instability, anxiety, and vulnerability to stress.

The third test I took was the Kolb Learning Styles Personality Test. This test categorizes individuals into four learning styles based on their preferences for approaching learning tasks and activities (Kolb, 2014). I wanted to see how my learning style would align with my personality traits and how this knowledge could help me improve my learning and development.

After taking the test, I discovered I was an assimilator, indicating that I prefer to learn through reflection and conceptualization. According to recent research, individuals who score high in assimilation tend to be analytical and reflective and prefer to learn through reading and listening (Al-Azawei et al., 2017). They are often drawn to abstract and theoretical concepts and enjoy applying them to real-world situations (Al-Azawei et al., 2017).

The Kolb Learning Cycle, which contends that learning happens through a cyclical process of experiencing, reflecting, conceiving, and experimenting, is the foundation of the Kolb Learning Styles Personality Test (Kolb, 2014). By determining our preferred learning style, we can modify our educational experiences to suit our innate preferences and tendencies. Understanding our preferred learning style can help us make better choices about approaching new experiences and knowledge, ultimately resulting in more efficient learning and personal development.

The fourth test I took was the Enneagram Personality Test. This test is based on the Enneagram system, categorizing individuals into one of nine personality types based on their core motivations, fears, and desires (Chestnut, 2018). I wanted to see what insights the test I discovered that I was a Type 4, often known as the Individualist or the Romantic, after taking the test. After taking the test, I learned I was a Type 4, often called the Individualist or the Romantic. According to research, individuals who identify as Type 4 are deeply introspective and emotionally expressive (Gentry, 2021). They strongly desire self-expression and authenticity and are often drawn to creative pursuits (Gentry, 2021).

The Enneagram system is based on the idea that each personality type has a core motivation that drives their behavior (Chestnut, 2018). Type 4 individuals’ core motivation is to find meaning and purpose and express themselves authentically (Chestnut, 2018). They also fear being ordinary or mundane and often feel a sense of longing or melancholy (Chestnut, 2018).

In my quest for self-discovery, I took the Hogan Personality Inventory (HPI) as the fifth test, which measures an individual’s personality traits about their career aspirations (Hogan, 2019). As someone passionate about my career and seeking success, I was interested in seeing how my personality traits aligned with my career aspirations. The HPI uses seven key factors to assess a person’s personality: adjustment, ambition, sociability, interpersonal sensitivity, caution, inquisitiveness, and learning approach (Hogan, 2019). As I got my findings, I saw that my high Ambition score demonstrated a strong drive for accomplishment and professional growth. According to research, people who score highly on the Ambition scale and are willing to take risks to achieve their goals frequently need accomplishment and recognition (Hogan, 2019). Also, they are more likely to be outspoken, have strong amounts of energy, and drive themselves (Hogan, 2019).

The HPI also offers information on potential locations for development. If someone with great ambition does not prioritize their well-being and practice self-care, they may be more prone to burnout or workaholism (Hogan, 2019).

The Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI), a validated psychometric test to evaluate mental health and personality traits, was the last test I completed (Archer et al., 2016). I was initially apprehensive about the exam since I did not know what the results would say about my mental health. The MMPI is a battery of approximately 500 true/false questions that evaluates a person’s personality on ten clinical scales, including Social Introversion, Masculinity-Femininity, Paranoia, Psych asthenia, Schizophrenia, and Psychopathic Deviate (Archer et al., 2016).

Upon receiving my results, I was relieved that I did not exhibit significant mental health issues or personality disorders. Recent research suggests that the MMPI is a reliable and valid tool for assessing mental health and personality and has been used in various settings, including clinical, forensic, and employment contexts (Archer et al., 2016).

In addition to assessing mental health, the MMPI can identify potential areas of concern, such as substance abuse or emotional instability (Archer et al., 2016). The test can also provide insights into an individual’s personality traits, such as emotional stability, social skills, and self-esteem.

In conclusion, taking these five personality tests has been a valuable and insightful journey. I discovered my INFP personality type through the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, which helped me better understand my natural tendencies and preferences. The Big Five Personality Traits assessment allowed me to compare my results with those of others and provided a comprehensive understanding of my personality. The Kolb Learning Styles Personality Test helped me identify my preferred learning style, which can help me tailor my learning experiences to align with my natural tendencies and preferences. The Enneagram Personality Test gave me insights into my core motivations, fears, and desires, allowing me to understand myself and my behavior better. Finally, the Hogan Personality Inventory gave me insights into my career aspirations and the traits essential for success.

These tests have helped me better understand myself, my behavior, and my preferences. Armed with this knowledge, I can make more informed decisions about my personal and professional life, aligning my values and strengths with my actions and goals. I have discovered that getting to know oneself needs constant self-reflection, self-awareness, and a readiness to accept change. I am eager to carry on this journey of self-discovery and personal development and use these insightful lessons to meet the obstacles and seize the possibilities.

References

De Fruyt, F., De Clercq, B. J., & Mervielde, I. (2002). The validity of the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator: A literature review. Journal of Career Assessment, 10(3), 229-246.

Hock, N. (2017). The ultimate guide to the INFP personality type. Retrieved from https://www.talkingtalent.pro/articles/infp-personality-type

Gosling, S. D., Rentfrow, P. J., & Swann Jr., W. B. (2003). A very brief measure of the Big-Five personality domains. Journal of Research in Personality, 37(6), 504-528.

Soto, C. J., & John, O. P. (2017). The next Big Five Inventory (BFI-2): Developing and assessing a hierarchical model with 15 facets to enhance bandwidth, fidelity, and predictive power. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 113(1), 117–143.

Al-Azawei, A., Alghizzawi, M., & Alfaresi, H. (2017). Kolb’s experiential learning theory and its application in geography in higher education. Journal of Education and Practice, 8(23), 78-88.

Hogan, R. (2019). Hogan Personality Inventory (HPI). Hogan Assessments.

Archer, R. P., Krishnamurthy, R., & Handel, R. W. (2016). The Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI): Development and Applications in Clinical Psychology and Psychiatry. Springer

Kolb, D. A. (2014). Experiential learning: Experience as the source of learning and development. FT press.