Personality Types and How to Manage Them at the Workplace

Personality Types and Their Roles

Whether we're talking about remote work or traditional office work, we can maximize our performance by recognizing and appropriately handling our colleagues' personality types. Successfully doing so positively impacts the entire organization, reducing minor and major conflicts in everyday work.

A 2017 study by Rutgers University identifies four employee personality groups. These categories are not fixed, as the analysis suggests people can belong to different types at various stages of their lives, but usually fit into one or two at a time. Let’s see what these types are!

The Pioneer

It’s no surprise that this type is most common among leaders. Pioneers not only love but also dare to try new ideas, experiment, and take risks. They focus on the big picture, driven by their dreams, and prefer not to get bogged down in small details. Their impulsiveness, however, can be a disadvantage; being impulsive, they often overestimate themselves and ignore others' viewpoints. Pioneers are friendly, enthusiastic, and resourceful characters who work tirelessly for long-term success.

The Pilot

Every team needs an analyst who loves working with data and values results that can be clearly expressed in numbers. Unfortunately, pilots tend to be impatient and make snap decisions. Like pioneers, they are big dreamers but often start executing world-changing ideas without thorough planning. Pilots are easily recognizable: they focus well, immerse themselves in tasks, think logically, and are truly competitive colleagues.

The Integrator

The integrator is a peace-loving character. They dislike conflict and act as mediators when they notice disagreements among coworkers. Because they strongly avoid confrontation, pioneers and pilots can easily overshadow them if allowed. Integrators are invaluable in any organization for their excellent relationship-building and maintenance skills. They are highly empathetic and approachable for any problem within the organization.

The Caregiver

If you've ever met a perfectionist, it was likely a caregiver. Caregivers feel most comfortable and excel in their jobs when they fully understand all their tasks and plan their execution step-by-step in a well-organized manner. They often remain silent in meetings until they know exactly what they want to say. Caregivers sometimes discard ideas that could support the company's operations because they logically find them inadequate.

Balancing Opposites for Effective Teamwork

The four personality types listed are characterized by their ability to pair up. For a company to operate effectively and without conflict, it’s crucial to ensure that characters from opposing groups work together, balancing each other's traits and abilities. Accepting and valuing their differences can turn these opposites into a collective advantage for the company.

When to Use Personality Tests

Personality tests are often used to measure job suitability but can also reveal the potential new employee’s traits when evaluated. Did the prospective colleague present an accurate picture of themselves in their resume and cover letter? A few clicks can unveil the truth!

The Big Five is one of the most popular and widely used personality tests in psychology. The "Big Five" reveals how a person reacts in different situations. According to the model, the following traits make up a person's personality: emotional stability, agreeableness, openness, conscientiousness, and extraversion. Personality tests can easily identify a boastful job seeker. 

If you don’t want to spend time deciding who the perfect candidate is for your company’s open position, contact Y Generation School Cooperative. We assist with student job recruitment, selection, and even interviews!

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