How to Know Unique Personality Types That Define You

What personality type best describes you?

Have you ever considered taking personality tests, most of which are available online like this one?

Many have and therefore, you are not alone. Realizing who we are is an enigma that has captivated people for ages. And it is not ending soon. 

In a word, our personalities influence our lives, including our interactions and communication with others, professional decisions, and personal growth. 

But what precisely makes each of us unique? 

You will learn the elements that contribute to our uniqueness as we unravel the mysteries of personality types in this article. 

Knowing your personality type can help you better understand your traits, limitations, and approach to life, regardless of whether you’re a shy introvert, an outgoing extrovert, or somewhere in between. 

Further, we’ll explore popular personality frameworks such as the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI), the Big Five Personality Traits, and the Enneagram to shed light on the fascinating world of personality psychology. 

Together, let’s solve the puzzles around personality types.

The History of Personality Types 

The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI)

This is a test that determines your personality and preferences that the Myer Briggs Foundation conducts. All you have to do is answer a questionnaire online through their website.

Generally, the test will help you understand your strengths and weaknesses. 

While, according to their assessment, there is no wrong or right preference, it helps to know how your traits may differ from others. Indeed, it acts as an inventory or reference point for assessment.

This test has four categories:

i) Extraversion vs. Introversion: It measures where you derive your energy. If being around people gives you oomph, you fall into the extrovert category. But if you derive energy from being alone, then you are introverted.

ii) Sensing vs. intuition: It focuses on how you receive information. Those who are sensitive have a tendency to concentrate on the specifics, whereas those who are intuitive prefer to see the wider picture.

iii) Feeling vs. thinking: How do you make your decisions? If you base it on logic, you are the thinking type. And if you make your decisions based on emotions, you are the feeling type.

iv) Judging and perceiving: People who are judging are usually structured and orderly, but people who are perceiving are usually adaptive and flexible.

Enneagram

This is a test that classifies human personalities into nine types. A symbol intertwined with three shapes- a circle, a triangle, and a hexagon (in order from outer to inner)—exemplifies its basic structure.

Here is how enneagram works… There are nine distinct types of individualism, and each number represents one type- in the enneagram. While it is not uncommon to find a trait of each type in you, some types are stronger than others. The different types include: 

One: The perfectionist

Two: Helper

Three: Achiever

Four: Individualist

Five: Investigator

Six: Loyalist

Seven: Enthusiast

Eight: Challenger

Nine: The peacemaker

You can definitely relate to one or more of the aforementioned categories, so you are aware of what best describes you.

Unique Personality Types (The Big Five)

The following five qualities serve as the foundation for most human behavior and have a direct bearing on how your relationships, career decisions, and personal values interact.

i) Openness: Embracing Novel Experiences

The key idea of the Big Five model is openness, which stands for the tendency of an individual for change and innovation. Individuals with high openness are creative, inquisitive, and receptive to new ideas and experiences. This personality type is frequently associated with artistic sensibilities, inventiveness, and a readiness to take chances.

ii) Conscientiousness: The Key to Achievement

Being responsible, organized, and motivated by goals are all characteristics of conscientiousness. Conscientious people focus on the details, are hardworking, and have a dedication to reaching their goals. When performing their tasks, they follow the law besides being cautious.

iii) Extraversion: The Social Energizer

Sociability and aggressiveness in a person characterize their extraversion. High extraversion personality types are gregarious, chatty, and socially energetic. On the other hand, if you have low levels of extroversion, you are inward oriented (introverted) and prefer alone time.

iv) Agreeableness: Nurturing Relationships

Kindness, empathetic behavior, cooperativeness, and other interpersonal orientations are all reflected in an individual’s level of agreement. High agreeableness individuals frequently put the needs of others above their own, prioritizing harmonious relationships. This kind of personality promotes harmonious interpersonal relationships and helps create a cooperative and encouraging atmosphere.

v) Neuroticism: Navigating Emotional Stability

Neuroticism is a measure of emotional stability and fortitude in the face of hardship and stress. Anxiety, mood swings, and increased emotional reactivity are all possible in those with high neuroticism scores. Low neuroticism, on the other hand, is associated with emotional stability and the capacity to deal with life’s obstacles.

How Personality Types Impact Relationships 

Here is a general overview of the impact of personality types on relationship satisfaction:

Your personality type will determine what kind of relationship you have. Have you ever heard comments such as We broke up because we were not compatible? It goes to underscore the importance your personality type plays in the formation of your relationships.

Even though you’ll not relate 100%, knowing the type plays a significant role. For this purpose, knowing your personality and your partner’s personality is key to having a strong and healthy relationship, as it equips you with the knowledge to navigate challenges.

Using Personality Types in the Workplace

I’m sure you’ve met people in the workplace whose personalities are so repulsive that you couldn’t tolerate working with them. Conversely, there are others who have unique personality types, and working with them feels like using a well-oiled machine. 

That’s how personality affects workflow in an office. Understanding your colleagues’ personality types (along with their strengths and weaknesses) is crucial for efficient workflow.

Managers can use the personality assessment tests we have referred to above to gauge the standing of their staff on matters concerning their personalities. 

Personal Growth and Development Based on Your Personality Type

When you know your personality types, you will, correspondingly, know your strengths and weaknesses. 

In effect, your self-awareness will directly impact your personal growth. As stated above, you can make judgments, receive, and direct energy all based on personality traits.

Depending on your assessment, you have the chance and ability to change your personality if you desire to attain personal growth. This could be in relationships, the workplace, or individual progress.

Conclusion

In conclusion, understanding personality types provides valuable insights into the diverse ways you’ll navigate the world. Though no individual will perfectly fit into any one category, knowing where you stand will certainly help you identify areas for improvement.

Each dimension contributes uniquely to shaping strategies to improve your professional and personal lives. 

As we leave you to further probe into the subtleties of personality types, the above insights remain reliable and well-respected tools for understanding the murky mysteries of human nature.

What thoughts do you have? Share them, please.

James Nduati Charagu

James is a published author, blogger, and content writer.

He writes about relationships, marriage, and self-improvement to bring out the best in you.

When not writing, he enjoys having a bourbon and coke, playing with his cat, and traveling the world to discover new places.