Personality Types: A Key to Stronger Relationships

By Cindee Johnson
Relationship Champion and Encompass Partner

There are some people who energize me! And there are others who…well, let’s just say, don’t. There are conversations that seem effortless with one person, yet almost painful with another. There are events and activities I can’t wait to engage in. Still, there are those I dread having to attend.
  
Raise a hand if you get me. Raise two if this also is you.  

Have you ever wondered why? The answer may lie in something surprisingly simple: your personality type. ​

I love taking personality tests! How about you? When I see a new one, I have to try it. Not to label myself, but to grow in self-awareness.  

Understanding your personality type isn’t simply a fad--it’s a powerful tool for improving how you relate to and interact with others in the home, at work and beyond. It’s a powerful tool that allows you to personally grow, set boundaries and connect authentically.  

You may have taken or heard of the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI), Enneagram or DISC assessments. These can help uncover how you naturally process information, make decisions, address conflict and communicate. Once you understand your wiring, you begin to recognize that not everyone sees the world the same way you do, and--hear me out--that’s a very good thing.  

Throughout the month, our Encompass Connection Center blogs will unpack some of the various personality tests. First, let’s briefly chat about why and how these assessments can be so beneficial.
  
We begin with those closest to our heart, our relationships at home. Whether it is a spouse or child, your marriage or your parenting, you have an opportunity to be strengthened by tuning into the natural tendencies of yourself and those you most love.  

My personality is far different than my husband’s. I handle conflict head on. He likes to mull over the concern. I want to talk about my day and hear about his as soon as we are together. He likes first to have a little downtime. If we don’t understand that about ourselves and about each other, things go awry. How do I know? Because it has!  

About 18 months ago, my husband and I began biking together, exploring the Rails to Trails bike paths all over our part of Ohio. Our helmets have bluetooth intercom headsets. We both love being able to communicate during our rides. Yet, while I enjoy pointing out every little thing I see and experience as I tool along behind him, my husband occasionally enjoys soaking in the beauty without a constant commentator. Honoring that has given me the ability to notice even more!  

Understanding our personality type isn’t just an asset with our loved ones, it is vital at work, too. It can help you move from frustration to cooperation, from being more concerned about getting your own way to building a spirit of collaboration.  

Much like at home, conflict in the workplace most often occurs from misunderstood differences. You are organized and structured with a passion for sticking to a plan. Then there’s that coworker who loves spontaneity and tosses out ideas like a fountain. You want to shout “ENOUGH!” while they beam at the new direction the once nearly completed project suddenly is taking.  

What if, in knowing your own personality, you choose to understand that of your coworker? So, instead of waiting for interruptive ideas that call for change at a project's near completion, you engage the spontaneous teammate in a brainstorming session at appropriate points in the timeline. Your organized and structured personality and your coworker’s creativity combine to strengthen the outcome. When you understand your personality type and take time to recognize the type of others, you realize it doesn’t have to be either/or, it can be both/and. 
 
Have you figured out your personality type? Has it changed how you relate to others? It should. 

If not, are you curious? Not sure which tool is right for you? Stay tuned into the ECC Blog…we are going to help you with that this month, too! ​