Team Personality Tests Pt. 1: Why Understanding Personality Drives Success and Profits

Building a strong team through assessing personality types can impact your bottom line

CONTEXT

Poor collaboration and lack of leadership skills make workspaces inefficient. Needless to say, inefficiencies lower success rates and impact business results negatively.

On the contrary, connected teams are proven to be 21% more profitable.

So what can we do to make teams more connected? I advocate for leaders to understand their workforce better. Personality assessments offer a strong starting point and create a foundation for a more connected and hence profitable team culture.

METHOD

Personality tests asses the following aspects: 

1. Improved fit between personality and role structure

   1. Personality insights can aid in role alignment by matching people to tasks that align with their natural inclinations. An extroverted, idea-driven individual might thrive in brainstorming sessions, while a detail-oriented, analytical thinker could excel in refining ideas.

How it drives value:  This alignment leads to increased job satisfaction as employees feel more comfortable and competent in their roles, leading to higher engagement and performance.

2. Improved communication and fewer misunderstandings

   1. Knowing how to communicate to each person in your team is crucial. Personality tests reveal differences that can otherwise be significant. For instance, some team members may be direct, while others might prefer a more relational approach. 

How it drives value: Tools like the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) or the DISC assessment offer insights into whether someone is detail-oriented or prefers the big picture, or if they thrive on structure versus spontaneity.

3. Effective conflict resolution

   1. Problem-solving approaches can get much more efficient when team members understand each other’s strengths. They can assign tasks that play to those strengths, making collaboration smoother and improve results.

How it drives value: In conflict, knowledge of personality traits helps to enhance empathy, as team members understand that another’s reaction is often shaped by their personality, not personal animosity.

4. Boosted team morale 

   1. Recognizing different personalities makes team members learn to value each other's unique contributions, which enhances psychological safety and creates an environment where people feel appreciated for who they are.

How it drives value: It is no coincidence that studies find high morale and inclusivity to lead to stronger, more resilient teams. When people feel understood and accepted, they’re more likely to contribute openly, support one another, and tackle challenges collaboratively.

5. Better leadership quality 

   1. For leaders, understanding the personality dynamics within a team allows for more personalized support. For example, a leader might approach a conflict differently with a reserved team member than with a naturally outspoken one.

How it drives value: Tailored feedback and support lead to growth and development, helping each individual achieve their potential and work toward team goals more effectively.

CONCLUSION

Personality tests are not about boxing people into categories but about understanding and unlocking potential. They are not the entire solution but a great place to start.

Hopefully this article has increased understanding for the importance of understanding team dynamics and personality in particular. 

If you enjoyed this, look out for Part 2 with a concrete selection of tried & true personality tests in 2 weeks.

Resources:

https://gretchenrubin.com/books/the-four-tendencies/

https://www.rostoneopex.com/blog/how-to-use-workplace-personality-tests