Identifying Personality Types and Popular Systems

Knowing the different personality types and drawing on their benefits is an applicable study that has seen a recent trend even in places such as the church. However, more people are realizing that what makes them “them” is more than the labels of ‘introvert’ and ‘extrovert’.

If you learn the characteristics, weaknesses, and strengths of the various personality types, then this new knowledge can help you communicate better with friends, family, colleagues, and customers. It can help you zero in on your strengths to find the type of work that will lead to fulfillment while making you aware of areas of weakness.

The popularity of personality types

One of the most popular search questions entered in Internet browsers is “What’s my personality type?” People want insight into their inherent characteristics. They want to learn what makes them tick and if there are others like them in the world. By combining the psychological science behind personality types with the ease of computers, you can now take tests online that can identify your personality type.

However, there are a few different types of tests and systems available. If you do an online search, you will find personality type tests by various authors. Some tests break down the personality types into as few as four or as many as sixteen.

Although the tests are thorough, you should be aware that you may receive incorrect results, so it is suggested that you take the information you glean from the test in stride and apply it as data – not as something written in stone.

A few of the most popular personality assessments include the Personality Types from the Enneagram, the Myers-Briggs Personality Type Test, and the DISC Personality Type Test. If you find personality types interesting, you can search online and find other personality systems such as Dani Johnson’s GEMS Personality Types that identify four distinct types and label them with fun gemstone names: Sapphire, Pearl, Ruby, and Emerald.

The personality types from the enneagram

The personality types found in the Enneagram have gained popularity recently, especially in churches and other ministries. The Enneagram contains nine personality types that are considered dominant although people can carry some attributes from other types. For example, someone may test as a Type 5 on the Enneagram but also lean toward the Type 4. This is known as a Type 5, Wing 4 (5w4).

Type 1: The Idealist

This type likes to see justice served and tends to speak and act boldly for a cause they believe in.

Type 2: The Caregiver

This type loves to help and serve others.

Type 3: The Performer

This type adapts easily to their environment and tends to be driven and ambitious.

Type 4: The Creative

This type desires to be unique and will use creative expression to feel significant.

Type 5: The Thinker

This type desires knowledge and solitude as they seek to know more about the world.

Type 6: The Loyalist

This type focuses on responsibility and security to not only protect themselves but others as well.

Type 7: The Adventurer

This type loves the company of other people and is almost always up for a spontaneous adventure.

Type 8: The Protector

This type has no problem taking up authoritative roles as they are independent, reliable, and assertive.

Type 9: The Peacekeeper

This type desires inner peace and will go to great lengths at times to avoid confrontation.

Each Type has a Wing variant attached. So, you may test as a Type 7, or a Type 7 Wing 6 or Wing 8. You can find (often free) assessments for the Enneagram online, although some therapists and counselors also give the test.

The Myers-Briggs personality type test

The Myers-Briggs Personality Type Test is the more complex of the personality systems, but it is steeped in psychological science, so many find its results more accurate. The system identifies sixteen personality types. The assessment delves deeper than the other systems, identifying you as an introvert or extrovert, followed by functions such as sensing and intuition, and thinking and feeling.

The letters that identify each type are like a code that gives clues about the personality type. The letter E stands for Extrovert and the letter I stands for Introvert. The Myers-Briggs Personality Test also uses T for Thinking, F for Feeling, N for Intuition, J for Judging, and P for Perception.

The following is the list for the sixteen personality types using the Myers-Briggs Formula:

The Introverted-Intuitive types: INTJ, INTP, INFJ, INFP

The Introverted-Sensing types: ISTJ, ISFJ, ISTP, ISFP

The Extroverted-Intuitive types: ENTJ, ENTP, ENFJ, ENFP

The Extroverted-Sensing types: ESTJ, ESFJ, ESTP, ESFP

This system is more complex than we can hope to cover as part of this post. If interested, ask your therapist or counselor about more information. You can also find Myers-Briggs assessments online or through your Human Resources Department at work.

The DISC personality type test

The DISC Personality Type Test is frequently used in workplace settings to give employers insight into their employees. Other groups, such as home-based businesses with higher-level leadership, will use the assessment to find ways to motivate their team to accomplish goals.

The letters in DISC stand for:

D – Dominance

This type includes people who can take control of a situation and assert themselves as leaders. They are straightforward in their thinking and actions.

I – Influence

This type includes people who love being around a lot of people and become energized as the center of attention. They tend to be charismatic and attract a lot of followers.

S – Steadiness

This type includes peace-loving individuals who serve others and look for ways to help those in need. They may fix food for an elderly neighbor or volunteer time for charities.

C – Conscientiousness

This type includes thoughtful people who love organization while being highly analytical and paying close attention to the details. They typically do not take someone’s word on something until they’ve done the research and come to their own conclusion.

Like the GEMS method from Dani Johnson, the DISC test uncovers four personality types. Many people find remembering and identifying only four personality types is easier than the more complicated systems.

You can learn more about DISC online and how to easily identify the personality of another person using this method.

The benefit of knowing your personality type

So why should you explore your type? Knowing your personality type and how to properly identify the personality types of others can help you in the workplace with negotiations and sales, career development, interpersonal skills and communication, and team building.

Outside of work, you can use these skills at home to resolve conflicts, open lines of communication, and delegate tasks. You can build on your strengths to serve God in ministry or to find your role in the church. Understanding the personality type of another person can help you reach out to them clearly and concisely.

For example, a church member may seem stand-offish during the large gatherings on Sunday mornings, but then you realize that they have an introverted personality type and are feeling drained from such a large crowd. Work to get them alone and they will probably open up to you. The different personality types respond in unique ways; however, if you can learn to identify these traits, people will leave conversations with you feeling heard and understood.

One detail to remember

Although learning the personality types is fun and will help you communicate with others, please remember that no personality test can completely describe you. You were uniquely made by a Creator and given special traits and talents. Never allow a test to limit your ability just because it has labeled something as your weakness.

Don’t allow a personality assessment to override your intuition about another person either. The test may lean toward one aspect of the individual’s personality, but that isn’t the whole picture. God created them for a purpose, and He knows what traits that individual will need to fulfill their purpose.

Remember: God’s strength is made perfect in our weakness.