Which Personality Tool is Right For You?
As a human with an undergrad degree in Psychology, and whose past career aspirations included becoming a Marriage and Family Therapist, it’s safe to say that I’m someone who naturally gravitates towards subjects around personal growth and healing.
I’ve always loved self-help books, and education around things that are going to not only help me to better understand my inner workings, but also develop into the fullest and most whole version of myself as possible. It’s definitely what led me to Human Design and the work I’m doing here, because I love offering the gifts of clarity and insight to others and know that’s part of my deeper calling in life.
I’m obviously not alone in these desires. I think we’re living in a time where therapy, introspection, and personal / spiritual growth + development are being recognized as crucial and beautiful parts of the human experience. What can get tricky is the overwhelm with not knowing where to start or which system or tool is best for you depending on where you’re at in life, and what you’re hoping to accomplish.
So I took some time (actually a lot of time) to list out several of the most popular and prevalent personality assessments and systems in place today to help you quickly look at what each one consists of and their biggest practical applications so you can see which stands out as the most supportive for where you’re at.
I’ll include a tl;dr summary at the bottom with my thoughts after doing research on each of these, and I hope this information provides clarity on next steps if you’re considering any, allowing you to shine in the brightest way possible.
Enneagram
Overview: A system of personality typing that describes patterns in how people interpret the world and manage their emotions.
Main tenets: A nine-pointed geometric symbol showing the 9 personality types (identified by the numbers 1-9), and how the types relate to one another by connected arrows.
Origins: Exact origins unknown, though it’s been thought to have roots in ancient Babylon 4,500 years ago, others thinking it originated in ancient Greece 2,500 years ago. The modern Enneagram system was introduced by Georg Ivanovich Gurdjieff, a mystic and spiritual teacher, in the 1930s, with it arriving to America in the 1960s. Other notable teachers include Oscar Ichazo who is most well-known for introducing the Enneagram into the field of modern-day psychology. The Enneagram utilizes ancient Kabbalah, Christian mysticism, and Sufism.
How it’s determined: A free personality test, here’s one you can take, or take the paid RHETI test from the Enneagram Institute. Some Enneagram experts also recommend reading the descriptions of each of the 9 types and deciding for yourself which one resonates the most.
What it tells you: Each type is defined by a particular core belief on how the world works, with this core belief driving your deepest motivations and fears. It shows how you’re motivated to make certain decisions or approach situations, and also helps explain how you respond to, or “where you go to” in stress.
Practical applications: Helps you better understand how you respond to stressful and supportive situations for yourself, provides greater self-understanding, and allows you to better understand the people close to you by knowing how they operate.
How to learn more / go deeper: Find an Enneagram book that resonates with you, follow Enneagram accounts on IG (@sarajanecase is a popular one), hire a specialist to work with your company.
Source here: https://www.truity.com/enneagram/what-is-enneagram
Astrology
Overview: A system that interprets the influence of the stars and planets on earthly happenings, human destinies, and behavioral tendencies.
Origins: It originated in Mesopotamia in the third millennium B.C. and spread to India, but it developed its Western form in Greek civilization during the Hellenistic period. It has spread to and been utilized by many different regions and cultures since this time and until today.
Main tenets: Western astrology uses the tropical zodiac, tracking the movements of the seven ‘planets,’ the twelve signs of the zodiac and the twelves houses. A person’s birth time and chart determines their Sun (most popular and recognized), Moon and Rising signs which include Aries, Taurus, Gemini, Cancer, Leo, Virgo, Libra, Scorpio, Sagittarius, Capricorn, Aquarius, and Pisces
How it’s determined: The exact time, date, and location of your birth. Here’s one place you can get your free birth chart.
What it tells you: It can be used to predict seasonal and widespread energetic shifts, and horoscopes show us how to navigate the cycles we find ourselves in and bring purpose, meaning, and clarity to them.
Practical applications: Greater understanding of our personality and character, insight into our gifts and tendencies, and a tool for emotional and spiritual growth. It gives insight into events from our past and helps prepare us for seasons and cycles coming up in our futures. It can be a tool for better understanding those around us as well.
How to learn more / go deeper: Find a book on astrology that resonates with you (I’ve had this one on my list for awhile), book a reading with an astrologer to have your chart read (I love Jenn Sinclair), download an app to get daily updates (The Pattern, CoStar, and Chani Nichols’ app are all good ones).
Source: Britannica, Wikipedia, 3 Benefits Of
Myers-Briggs
Overview: The Myers Briggs Personality Type Indicator is a self-report inventory designed to identify a person’s personality type (there are 16 variations), strengths and preferences.
Origins: It was developed by Isabel Myers and her mother Katherine Briggs based on their work with Carl Jung’s theory of personality types. The MBTI instrument was first published in 1962.
Main tenets: Online questionnaire that provides feedback on 4 different categories: Introversion or Extraversion, Sensing or Intuition, Thinking or Feeling, and Judging and Perceiving to determine your 4 letter “Type,” i.e. ENFJ or ISTP, etc.
How it’s determined: You take a self-reporting questionnaire on the MBTI site. (Interesting to note that studies have found between 40% and 75% of respondents receive a different result after completing the inventory a second time. Criticisms for this personality test include the fact that it’s subjective and questions may be answered differently based on changing life circumstances).
What it tells you: Provides greater understanding of your likes, dislikes, strengths, weaknesses, possible career preferences, and compatibility with others. It answers how you interact with the world around you, gather information, make decisions based on information gathered, and how you deal with the outside world.
Practical applications: This information can be used in career and personal settings, providing greater insight into one's personality, as well as greater understanding of those around them.
How to learn more / go deeper: Take the test for yourself, or utilize it within your business or team facilitated by a professional. You can find more info here.
Source: Very Well Mind
StrengthsFinder 2.0
Overview: StrengthsFinder uses a self-reported test to determine your 5 greatest strengths in order to focus on those and spend less time worrying about your weaknesses to be able to find greater ease and impact in work and life.
Origins: Developed by American psychologist, educator, author, researcher and entrepreneur Donald Clifton whose company later acquired Gallup, he created CliftonStrengths, Gallup’s online psychological assessment. In 1999 he created the online assessment tool Clifton StrengthsFinder that focuses on 34 themes that make up the user's personality. He co-authored the 2001 book Now, Discover Your Strengths with Marcus Buckingham, offering advice on determining employees' strengths and using those qualities for success at work. In 2007, the book was updated by Tom Rath and called StrengthsFinder 2.0.
Main tenets: Utilizes a questionnaire and an accompanying book to help people determine their top 5 strengths. There are 34 different strength themes divided into 4 domains of Strategic Thinking, Relationship Building, Influencing and Executing. Examples of strengths include ‘The Achiever,’ ‘Woo,’ ‘Adaptability,’ ‘Maximizer,’ ‘Empathy,’ and more.
How it’s determined: Take a self-reporting questionnaire directly through the site, or purchase the book and receive a code to take it from there.
What it tells you: Helps you narrow in on and double down on your strengths, in order to spend less time working on your weaknesses and more time getting better at what you’re already great at. Tells you which areas or themes you particularly shine in and how you can bring those gifts to a team or work setting.
Practical applications: Particularly helpful in professional settings, oftentimes employers use StrengthsFinder amongst their teams to strengthen team dynamics, improve communication, and increase collaboration.
How to learn more / go deeper: Buy the book, purchase resources for managers or teams to apply it to your business.
Sources: Global Experiences, Wikipedia, Gallup
Human Design
Overview: Human Design is the study of our energetic auras and is also called the Science of Differentiation - highlighting the uniqueness and individuality of each person while also stressing the importance that when we all live into our unique designs, we thrive together collectively.
Main tenets: Visual chart of your energy centers and gates and channels called a BodyGraph. The five main Energy Types include: Manifestor, Generator, Manifesting Generator, Projector, Reflector.
Origins: The details of it were channeled to Ra Uru Hu in 1987 and it combines wisdom from these existing systems: Astrology, Kabbalah, the Chakra System, Quantum Physics, and the I Ching. Originally it was meant to assist parents in raising children in ways that were nurturing and affirming to their unique design, preferences, and approaches to life.
How it’s determined: The exact time, date, and location of your birth. You can get your Human Design chart for free here.
What it tells you: How you’re meant to best utilize your energy and exchange it with the world around you. Knowing your defined and undefined energy centers helps with understanding your emotions and personality and what traits come more naturally to you as opposed to traits you might be susceptible to picking up from others. It shows you how you’re uniquely wired to make decisions, and the inherent gifts you came into this life with that serve to accomplish your purpose in the world.
Practical applications: How to tap into your own unique intuition, know which paths and directions to follow, how to best make decisions, and is an affirmation for how you’re wired to work + rest, as well as how to maximize and best utilize your energy. Ultimately it should help with stripping away conditioning you’ve picked up over time in order to get more aligned with your true and most authentic self.
How to learn more / go deeper: To gain greater insights into your chart, you can find Human Design experts who provide detailed guides related to your Type, or do 1:1 readings. You can purchase a personalized Guide from me here or book a 1:1 Reading together. You can apply this knowledge to larger groups in an educational, workshop-type engagement, or hire me to do a Team Alignment Engagement for your business as well.
The Birkman Method
Overview: The Birkman Method reports on both behavioral and occupational data using a unique methodology for assessing personality through positive psychology.
Origins: This instrument started as the Test of Social Comprehension, created by Dr. Roger W. Birkman in 1951. He used his firsthand experience in the war combined with a methodology rooted in Positive Psychology to develop what is now known as The Birkman Method instrument.
Main tenets: Personality assessment using Positive Psychology - the scientific study of the strengths and virtues that enable individuals and communities to thrive. It measures the human characteristics that influence behaviors, motivations, and perceptions. It reveals four key perspectives for every person: Motivation, Self-Perception, Social Perception, and Mindset.
How it’s determined: Take the 3 online personality assessments, $25/test
What it tells you: It shows how you’re likely to behave in different situations and also why. It teaches you about your communication style, response to incentives, relationship with authority, and how to deal with change and triggers for stress.
Practical applications: By better understanding your needs and interests, you can apply this wisdom to determine whether you’re in a career or role that is a fit for you, use it to improve your relationships at work and at home, and get greater insight to increase your happiness and release your different stress points. It can help improve workplace satisfaction and productivity as well.
How to learn more / go deeper: Take the assessments, read the book, or reach out here to find how to apply it to your business.
Sources: Birkman.com
Love Languages
Overview: Not a personality test as much as it’s a tool to help you better understand the way you best receive and share love as well as the way those closest to you do as well.
Origins: Gary Chapman wrote the book “The Five Love Languages: How to Express Heartfelt Commitment to Your Mate” in 1992 with its popularity growing since then and an updated version of the book being released in 2015.
Main tenets: It outlines five general ways that romantic partners express and experience love, referred to as “love languages.” The five different languages are Words of Affirmation, Quality Time, Receiving Gifts, Acts of Service, and Physical Touch.
How it’s determined: You take a self-reported quiz.
What it tells you: Your primary love language and how you can use it to better connect to your loved ones.
Practical applications: Better understand the ways in which you feel most loved by others and have the ability to communicate this to romantic partners, family, and friends. Also better understand the ways in which those closest to you best experience love and be able to offer that to them.
How to learn more / go deeper: Take the quiz, read the book, find more resources here.
Sources: Wikipedia, The Five Love Languages
Summary
In a lot of ways I think each of these tests provide a similar outcome: help you get clear on your strengths and gifts so you can lead with those and add more ease and impact to your life, avoiding wasting time dwelling on areas not serving you.
Know that with self-reported assessments, there is a margin of error that should be factored in, since you are answering from your own experiences, biases, and interpretation of yourself and preferences. This doesn’t necessarily make them inaccurate of course, but it’s something to consider. For example, based on the research I found, I personally think we should do away with the Myers-Briggs test since at this point it seems to majorly change over the period of ones life.
Systems like Astrology and Human Design are ones that leave no room for subjectivity since it’s based solely on the time and place of your birth. For me that provides some comfort that that’s not going to change (though others might write this off as hokey or unreliable).
According to my personal experience and research on these methods, here is what I personally would use and for what purposes:
To get clear on my authentic self and learn how to move in a direction that’s aligned with my purpose I would use Human Design
To get a sense of what areas or themes of my life to lean into in upcoming seasons I would consult Astrology
For my close and romantic relationships I’d most like to know their Love Language and Enneagram number so I can connect with them best and understand what drives them (obviously would need to know their HD too ;)
If I were running a team of employees I would use StrengthsFinder to see where their strengths lie and also Human Design to know the ways they best approach work that’s most aligned for them
If you have any questions or comments around any of this, feel free to email me at hidefhumans@gmail.com, and if you’d like to utilize Human Design in your personal life or in your workplace, you can either book a Reading with me here, or learn more about our Team Alignment Experiences here!
Now go forward and thrive, hi def humans xo
