Encourage Personality Testing

I was asked the other day : "Kate, is personality testing novelty, frivolity, or common sense?"

The answer is: It depends on whether or not you utilize them properly.

I highly recommend them for anyone who is in a relationship of any kind: business, friendships, family, etc. (so all of us)

Personality tests enhance our perspective.

The best way to utilize a personality test result is by looking for strengths (to enhance) and identifying weaknesses (to downplay or eliminate). When we have the results, we can see our natural tendencies at that particular moment in time to lean in certain directions with our personality. When we are under stress or major life changes (both good and bad) our way of responding to the world may not be the typical way we interact with others.

Taking a test when life is pretty calm and regulated will give you a chance to see your natural tendencies. Some personality traits are inborn. Yet parts of personality can be consciously cultivated over time. Personality can also be altered in a traumatic moment. The test results give us a chance to see where we are at now, how we interact, and what benefits can be gleaned from that information.

What to do with test results:

1) Look for opportunities to use your natural strengths.

  • If you are great with data and shy with people -- think about switching to a division within your company in which research is more prominent than direct customer contact.

  • If you are a knowledge seeker -- help others research and gain information on vacation ideas, background information, parenting techniques, etc.

Find opportunities daily to bless those around you.

2) Look for chances to correct weaknesses rather to keep inflicting them on others unconsciously.

  • If you have a tendency toward jealousy-- lighten up and hold your tongue when your mate wants an innocent night out with friends.

  • If you lean towards being argumentative-- again, back up and hold off any rebuttal until you have seriously considered your bosses viewpoint. See what you might learn in this instant rather than trying to prove it doesn't apply to you.

Check for ways you can grow as a more rounded individual by working on your current rough spots.

What kinds are there?

There are many online and offline personality tests. One can just do a local search on Google to explore your options. Three I like, have experience with, and recommend include:

Myers-Briggs Personality Tests: based on Carl Jung's theories yet made understandable to us regular people-- this test comes from a view that there are 4 main ways people differ in thinking and interacting. These 4 areas can than be combined for a total of 16 personality types.

The Enneagram Psychospiritual Typology: this tests breaks down personalities into 9 general categories with the understanding that there are many sub-types and differing distinctions possible.

The Max Luscher Color Test: (Warning: although tempting-- This is NOT a novelty test-- NEVER use it as such!!!) Dr. Luscher believed that colors carry deep psyco-emotional responses when viewed. Based on order preference for 8 colors a tremendous amount of information can be given about a person's current state.

Where Can we get them?

Many coaches, therapists, pastors, counselors have access to and certifications (when needed) to administer these tests. There are also online versions of these tests for quick general typing that can be helpful.

I recommend taking the test in conjunction with someone else who will go over it with you.

If you do choose to go it alone and take a simplified version online, be aware as you read the results that it was only deciphering who you are and how you are most likely to respond at that given point in time. Utilize results always with an outlook on how you can better inter-relate to other people.

If you would like to talk more about some of these tests -- Feel free to contact me.

Until next time--- all the best,

Kate

About The Author

Kate Hufstetler is a well established business, personal and relationship coach. Her clients come from both the United States and overseas. She offers coaching services via email and phone consultations at flexible timing and financing to meet your every need. Please visit for available packages within your range: http://www.comedreamwithme.com/start_today.html

Kate@comedreamwithme.com

More Resources

Unable to open RSS Feed $XMLfilename with error HTTP ERROR: 404, exiting

More Coaching Information:

Related Articles

Viewpoints - Communication Destruction Or....
Viewpoints! Everyone has them and they are personal. However, when you believe that only your view is correct, you shut out other people and do not listen to the facts they are giving.
Dare To Be Inconsistent, Lopsided, And Totally Courageous
I was talking to one of my coaching clients and she was talking about not being able to stay with a meditation practice, so she gave up meditating altogether. "I'm either gung ho all the way or I don't show up at all," she said in disgust.
Enhancing Life for a Lifetime
Do you often feel lonely, anxious, or even depressed? Is a mid-life or quarter-life crisis threatening your confidence, self-esteem and well-being? Do you yearn for practical advice on enhancing, balancing and bringing new joy to your personal and professional life?Tens of millions of Americans answer a resounding "yes" to one or more of those questions. After all, statistics report that more than 19 million of us are diagnosed with depression each year.
Body Language Speaks Louder Than Words
Has it ever occurred to you how much you are saying to people even when you are not speaking? Unless you are a master of disguise, you are constantly sending messages about your true thoughts and feelings whether you are using words or not.Studies show that your words account for only 7% of the message you convey.
Tame The Financial Beast
Are holiday bills surprising you? Are you hoping that if you ignore your finances long enough, maybe they will fix themselves?Let's liken our finances to a garden. If we neglect the garden, weeds will grow and take over.
The X-factor
Would you agree that today most of us have the same set of opportunities and the same set potential?If you agree with me, then perhaps you might like to consider this puzzling question: if we all have the same opportunities and potential why are some people more successful than others?It could be said that some people are more privileged than others, and while this is certainly true, you could argue that there is proof in every day life of people who started off with zero and went on to accumulate incredible wealth. It could be said that some people have better academic ability than others and while this is true you could argue the case of all the people who achieved success after years of under-achieving in education.
Five Steps to Vocational Passion: A Disciplined Plan for Major Mid-life Changes
There's a famous song lyric that asks: "Is that all there is?" Every seven seconds, an American turns 50 years old. So there's a good chance that song is running through some of their heads.
Building a Strong Coaching Practice
As a person who has been around the coaching profession for a number of years, I wish I could say that my practice is full right now. But the fact is that I've been pursuing TV gigs in the last few years and haven't put much emphasis on building my individual coaching practice.
Coaches, Do You Make These 7 Deadly Cash Flow Mistakes in Your Practice?
Managing cash flow is every small business owner's most important function. Avoid these seven deadly mistakes to make sure you aren't creating cash flow problems in your coaching practice.
Do You Ever Give Up Coaching Employees?
In principle, we don't want to give up coaching employees. We want to believe that we can eventually make a difference.
Going On a Mental Diet
Diets are always in style. Every time you turn around, someone is coming out with a new and improved diet.
Successful Change Starts With A Shift In Perspective
Like so many in corporate America today, Susan needed more balance in her life-but she did not know how to get it. Faced with a 60-hour work week and a lengthy daily commute, Susan was left with little time for outside interests.
Essence of Awakeness
Be conscious, aware, and alert. Pay attention.
Ch-Ch-Chain of Hearts: Cranking Up Compassion
Can you hear your compassion? It's time to crank it up.One of the most difficult challenges we face in our quest to be compassionate is dealing with conflict.
Bringing Forgiveness Down To Earth
What does it mean to forgive?One of the first things we typically think when we hear the word "forgive" is that it is a spiritual concept that is mostly out of reach for us mortal human beings. The bible talks about it, pastors implore us to forgive, we might believe that it is something that we "should" do but for the most part, most of us find it very difficult, if not impossible, to accomplish.
Why Pacing and Leading is for Wimps!
Okay, you have read some books on body language and they all said you must mirror and match, pace and lead..
Executive Coaching and the American President
Perhaps no one better than a former U.S.
Its Only Adult ADD-What A Relief!
For most of her fifty years, Barbara was at war with herself. Keeping organized, being on time, and finishing what she started were always a struggle.
What The Buddha Says About Coaches
There is a Buddhist saying that goes like this: "If you meet the Buddha on the road, kill it." This means to kill any concept of the Buddha as something apart from oneself.
Trump University - Why Success Education Is Important
Trump University recently unveiled offers a bonanza of success secrets, success tips and success insights.Donald Trump, of the Apprentice says "The one sure way to success is to know everything you can about what you do", these words capture the true reason why Trump University exists.