Getting to know yourself as a leader
by Megan Simmons 4 weeks, 1 day agoPersonality test activities are designed to provide a deeper understanding of oneself and others, serving as valuable tools for personal growth and effective collaboration. In this program, taking these tests allows participants to explore their unique traits, preferences, and communication styles, fostering self-awareness and empathy. By recognizing that there are no right or wrong answers—only different perspectives—participants can appreciate the diversity within the group, leading to more harmonious interactions and more effective teamwork. This understanding is crucial for building stronger relationships and creating an inclusive environment where everyone's strengths are recognized and valued. Choose one of the tests listed below to assess your leadership style and share what you have learned about yourself by replying below.
The Big Five Project Personality Test The Big Five Project Personality Test is a widely recognized psychological assessment tool that measures five key dimensions of personality: openness, conscientiousness, extraversion, agreeableness, and neuroticism. These dimensions, often referred to as the "Big Five," provide a comprehensive overview of an individual's personality traits, offering insights into how they perceive the world, interact with others, and manage emotions. The test is commonly used in both academic research and personal development to understand personality dynamics and predict behaviors across various contexts.
16 Personalities Test The 16 Personalities Test, based on the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI), is a popular personality assessment that categorizes individuals into one of 16 distinct personality types. Each type is derived from four key dichotomies: Extraversion/Introversion, Sensing/Intuition, Thinking/Feeling, and Judging/Perceiving. The test provides detailed insights into how individuals approach life, make decisions, and interact with others, helping users to better understand their strengths, weaknesses, and potential areas for growth. It is widely used in both personal development and professional settings to enhance self-awareness and improve interpersonal relationships.
Enneagram Personality Test The Enneagram Personality Test is a dynamic psychological tool that identifies nine distinct personality types, each representing a unique worldview and approach to life. These types are interconnected on a diagram, highlighting patterns of behavior, core motivations, fears, and desires. The Enneagram provides deep insights into personal development, emotional patterns, and relationships, offering a pathway for self-awareness and growth. It is often used in both personal and professional contexts to enhance understanding of oneself and others, leading to improved communication and more meaningful interactions.
Clifton The Clifton Personality Test, also known as the CliftonStrengths or StrengthsFinder, is a psychological assessment designed to identify an individual's top strengths out of a possible 34 talent themes. Developed by Gallup, this test focuses on helping people understand their unique strengths and how to leverage them for personal and professional success. Instead of highlighting weaknesses, the CliftonStrengths test emphasizes what individuals naturally do best, providing insights that can enhance productivity, teamwork, and personal fulfillment. It is widely used in career development, leadership training, and team building to optimize performance and well-being.
True Colors Test The True Colors Test is a personality assessment that categorizes individuals into four color-coded personality types: Blue, Green, Gold, and Orange. Each color represents a different set of traits, values, and communication styles. The test helps individuals understand their own behavior and how they interact with others, promoting better communication, collaboration, and self-awareness. Often used in educational, corporate, and personal development settings, the True Colors Test is a simple and accessible tool for enhancing teamwork, resolving conflicts, and fostering more effective relationships.
Using the Enneagram Test: As a Type 7, the Enthusiast, I’m all about new ideas, adventure, and keeping things positive, which definitely shows up in my leadership style. With a Type 6 and 8 wing, I bring a mix of planning and bold action—so I’m ready for anything but still love a good backup plan.
Learning about my Growth Vector (Type 5) reminds me to slow down and dive deeper, while my Stress Vector (Type 1) nudges me to watch out for my inner critic under pressure. This mix keeps me energized but grounded, and now I feel even better equipped to lead with a balance of excitement and focus!
As a management undergrad this question makes me delighted! I completed the Big 5, and at the time of taking it, my highest rating is in Conscientiousness. This combined with the lower rankings related to seeking new experiences, extraversion and agreeableness illustrate that I am potentially better suited to the administrative work related to leadership as opposed to the meeting and influencing people part of leadership.
This is parallels some of my other test results from previous leadership courses and roles that indicate that I am:
I chose to use the "16 personalities test," and found that I am an "INFJ (Advocate)," possessing a unique combination of idealism and insight that apparently makes me different. I will say this sounds familiar. I was identified by this test as having a vivid imagination, when I agree, and allows me to be creative with many of my tasks, and resourcesful to my colleagues and friends. I tend to have empathy, as described here. Also, it did identify me sometimes being overwhelmed - which does happen from time to find. I found this to be a useful and more accurate than I imagined. Great test!
I have taken the CliftonStrengths test before. My top 5 "Signature Themes" were:
I hadn't realized before taking this test, but I definitely spend more time than most people I know thinking about what could be, mapping out future scenarios and planning for potential events and environments years or even decades in the future. I am inherently motivated by setting and achieving goals, not only for work projects and major life goals, but even for mundane tasks (can I get in and out of the grocery store in fewer than 14 minutes??).
This also applies to my past academic pursuits, where my lifelong love of learning new new subjects and skills is supported by an ability (if I'm in the right environment) to sit down and focus on one thing for hours on end. I think the analytical theme arose out of my natural inclination to try to make sense out of information, but I feel that my background in the applied arts hasn't necessarily equipped me well to put that impulse to productive use through empirical tools such as rigorous research design or systems design thinking.
Previously, I have taken the DiSC assessment and the StandOut assessment, and I also took the free 16 Personalities assessment. Here are my results:
These results all point to the fact that I am very invested in other people’s feelings, and that I strive to create safe spaces where everyone can feel included and share their perspectives. In terms of leadership, I think this is definitely one of my strengths, but I also tend to have a hard time making decisions. I can also be very conflict-avoidant, and sometimes I struggle to find balance. I also tend to be analytical and often like to plan things out in great detail; other people describe me as very organized, which is really helpful when leading, but I can also take this to the extreme! I am definitely prone to over-thinking things, which can lead to being overly cautious about making decisions and perfectionism.
I have completed most of these assessments and all have been interesting. For this discussion I will share my Clifton StrengthsFinder results. At my prior institution I taught a class on them every semester.
Each of the strengths have helped me understand my personality, why some tasks come more easily than others, and how I can use them to contribute to a team or a task. For example, I've learned to build confidence in my natural inclinations to see the bigger picture (connectedness), take ownership of a task and be dependable (responsibility), and connect with my core values when making tough decisions (belief).
The flip side is that each strength can become a weakness when it lacks balance. For example, responsibilty can turn into taking on too much or harmony becomes not wanting to rock the boat for fear of offending someone or not confronting a situation.
Leadership starts from the inside out and knowing yourself is the starting point. I try to play to my strengths, but also try to catch overreliance.
I went for the True Color Test, where I was described as the Gold Color Type. This was so on point to what I have always done and been. I have these FIVE attributes - loyal, dependable, prepared, organized, and caring.
I am a very pragmatic and structured person. I worked for my previous employer for close to 10 years before I changed jobs and was very attached and passionate about what I did. I am the kind of a person who is always put on committees either as the Chair or a member since I work hard and deliver results; hence, the dependability attribute in this test was explicit. My former colleagues once said that my name was always the default name for any assigned tasks. My supervisor was once questioned why she had me on almost all of her committees, and the answer was, " Wakasa delivers, and I would rather have it with one or two people and be sure that work will be done than have a list of people who will not deliver'. I used to wear many hats and, at some point, headed two heavy administrative offices in my previous institution, where I earned the name 'super director.'
Being organized and structured is also part of me. I like planning well in advance, and this has helped me deliver results and achieve outstanding performance in all the places I have worked. I have a proven track record. I use work plans, project planning tools, and calendars to plan my work and time in order of priority and get reminders to achieve set goals. I also set boundaries as I set my goals to achieve work-life balance. This has always helped me to meet deadlines without rushing or doing sub-standard work. Also, it allows me to take breaks to cool off and re-energize.
As a leader, I have always cared for others, those I lead, and those I have previously led. Caring is also a vital leadership attribute, which is portrayed in giving people direction and mentorship and keeping in mind that they are humans who need a supportive work environment. With this attribute, I have a list of my former students and colleagues I mentor and have established strong relationships with to date. I have always found myself trying to provide solutions, and where I cannot, I always do it by getting a third party to ensure that their needs have been met or addressed. I do follow-ups for feedback to ensure that my users or the people I serve have satisfied their needs.
Here are my results from the Clifton Strengths assessment:
Relator - You enjoy close relationships with others. You find deep satisfaction in working hard with friends to
achieve a goal.
Deliberative: You are best described by the serious care you take in making decisions or choices. You anticipate
obstacles.
Harmony: You look for consensus. You don’t enjoy conflict; rather, you seek areas of agreement.
Learner: You have a great desire to learn and want to continuously improve. The process of learning, rather than
the outcome, excites you.
Discipline: You enjoy routine and structure. Your world is best described by the order you create.
I agree completely with these results. I especially appreciate the explanation that includes a discussion of 'blind spots'. For example, I love to learn but at times this can get in the way of productivity. I can also overthink simple decisions and think too much about potential obstacles which often makes me seem indecisive.