4/7/2016 7:04 AM
I have done many personality tests over the years. When I did the Myers-Briggs assessment years ago, I was a ESTP.
I have also taken a similar type test, and once spent an 8-hour day in class discussing the assessment. The test was a DISC test. Similar to the Myers-Briggs, this is a very in-depth assessment that nailed my personality traits right on the head. One of the things I remember most about this assessment is the instructor said that we actually have two different types of personalities. The first being who we are the majority of the time when conflict and stress aren't present. The other is who we have to be during stress and conflict. She related it to your work personality vs. your home personality. In some people, these are two distinct personalities, while in others they can be one in the same. For me, I am pretty laid back most of the time, but can be a real a$$ when I need to be.
It's important to know what you are, but even more important to know what those around you are. Some of the most successful companies use this to there advantage and can identify strengths and weaknesses in their employees that can be used for success of the company. For instance, if you have an employee that is highly introverted, they probably won't work good in a group setting in speaking in front of a group. They don't like public recognition and tend to shy away from asking questions until they are in a room alone with you. On the opposite end, extroverts like being told "good job" in front of their peers, and will actually improve performance when this is done. Extroverts work great in a group setting, but this can often backfire if their are too many together as more talking tends to occur than working. Knowing this can be beneficial to a supervisor.