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Learning about personalities is a really interesting subject. Why? Because every single person on this planet is different. We are all unique, we are never the same as anyone else.
Of course, within a workplace this makes for an interesting blend of different people. If you can create the right collaborative workspaces, and ensure that the area is suitable for everyone’s needs, you’ll be able to harness those differences and create a seriously winning team!
Do you know your own personality type? Do you consider yourself to be an introvert, or do you consider yourself to be an extrovert? Are you not sure, or do you think maybe you’re somewhere in the middle, i.e. an ambivert? Many of us feel different ways on different days, but that doesn’t really change who we are at our very core, and our own specific make-up.
By understanding your own personality type, and by managers understanding the personality types of their employees, we can all not only get along far better, but we can create teams which really get the job done. What one person lacks, another can give, and vice versa.
Let’s define and give some examples of each personality type, so you can identify which camp you fall into. If you want some solid advice, how about taking this quiz to find out which personality type you really are!
What is an Introvert?
An introvert is often referred to as shy, but this doesn’t necessarily mean they are lacking in confidence. An introvert is someone who prefers to think and listen, rather than vocalise all the time. This doesn’t mean they are a wallflower by any means, they are simply more within themselves and need their own workstations which allow them space and time.
An introvert’s talents lie within their deep thinking talents and their listening skills. Introverts can sometimes come across as being cut off, or unwilling to socialise, but that’s often not the case at all.
What is an Extrovert?
An extrovert is someone who is vocal and confident within social situations. Sometimes an extrovert can be mistaken for being brash or overconfident, but again, this isn’t always the case. Extroverts will enjoy working at bench desks, with other members of the team by their side.
An extrovert’s talents are placed within their confidence and their go-getting attitude. When they brainstorm, they do it quite vocally, and they aren’t afraid to try things which others might see as risky or outlandish.
What is an Ambivert?
And then we have the middle ground! An ambivert is someone who has an equal balance of introvert and extrovert within their personality. An ambivert can be either side of the coin on any specific day, depending upon how they feel and the situation they are in. For instance, an ambivert may need to head to a quiet zone or a booth to concentrate and think occasionally, just like an introvert. On the other hand, they may have moments of extroversion, e.g. they have no problem speaking up or being vocal in a meeting.
In this case, you’re obviously getting the best of both personality types.
Do All Three Get Along?
In general, yes! Within a workplace it’s really vital to give different personality types the furniture and work setting that they need, in order to be able to work in a comfortable way. This isn’t just about physical comfort, but emotional comfort too. For instance, an introvert may sometimes feel overwhelmed by a powerful extrovert, and in that case effective space planning is vital.
If you want to create quality teams of different personality types then you need to think about the right office desks to give them the opportunities to collaborate and think.
Of course, there may be times when different personalities clash, but that is when effective conflict management comes into play. If you give people space and the right environment in which to work, this should be far less of a problem.
Which One Are You?
If you took the quiz we mentioned earlier, you should have a clear idea now of which personality type you are. Are you a deep thinking introvert? Are you a collaborative extrovert? Are you somewhere in the middle, and an ambivert?
There is no right or wrong answer because neither personality type is ‘better’ than another. Every personality type is valid and effective in its own way. What you need to do is know how to get the best out of yourself, e.g. know the environment and situations which make you comfortable, and managers also need to know how to harness the power of each personality type’s strengths.