Better Human Communication Through Personality Types in a Hyperconnected Digital World

At LuckyTamm Digital Marketing, we are committed to humanizing our approach to our clients in our increasingly digital world. As we provide expert marketing services on a digital scale from a completely virtual workspace, we work to balance our modern model with good old fashioned analog interaction via  human-based outreach. This includes our interactions with each other as colleagues and our relationships with our clients. 

Sure, texts and emails are quick and easy, but so much of who we are can be lost in digital translation. One way we’re achieving our person-to-person goal is by recognizing how different personalities interact in business. Being mindful of unique personality  traits can help us better serve our clients and work together more efficiently by mitigating conflict and maximizing harmony. 

Here are five different personality catalogues that we take into consideration when working with clients, vendors and each other. 

Myers-Briggs Type Indicator

The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) was first published in 1943,  based on the theory of psychological types described by Carl Jung, a 20th century psychologist who founded analytical psychology. The basis of the test is the idea that we all have a dominant way in which we see and interact with the world around us, based on four psychological functions: sensation, intuition, feeling and thinking. 

This well-known assessment has been popular in the business world for decades, but has recently come under scrutiny by those who assert that it’s not particularly scientific or accurate. That is to say, its results are not necessarily repeatable and different versions of the test will produce different results. Another issue with the MBTI is the widespread misconception that a personality type is static or concrete; however, it simply gives a self-reported view of how a person prefers to interact with the world at that point in time.  

Despite differing opinions, many people who have taken the test continue to identify with their four-letter type, and knowing a person’s combination can help you determine how to interact with them. For instance, a person who identifies as an introvert will often prefer emails or text messages over phone calls or in-person meetings. These individuals will also need time to recharge after a full day of talking to people. 

Tammy is an: ESFJ Kat is an: INFP Marlowe is an: INFJ Lisa is an: ISFJ Niki is an: ESFP Kevin is an: ESFP

As a mix of introverts (I) and extraverts (E), we here at LuckyTamm do our best to account for how worn out or recharged our team members will feel after meetings or social events. The split between our sensing (S) and intuiting (N) colleagues helps us focus on details while also taking in the big picture when we work together as a team. While some of our perceiving (P)  colleagues may enjoy the fully remote lifestyle, we create structure through regular meetings and activities to help the judging (J) contingent. The fact that we are overwhelmingly comprised of those who lead with feeling (F) helps us listen to our clients and each other before we make decisions; however, we are also aware of the need to find facts and logic to back up our decisions.  

The Big 5

Often hailed as the most accurate personality assessment available today, the Big 5 Personality Test is based on more recent psychology than the MBTI. Big Five traits include: openness to experience, conscientiousness, extraversion, agreeableness, and neuroticism. These markers are from the International Personality Item Pool (IPIP) developed in 1992. The Big Five test is also sometimes referred to as the OCEAN test, which is an acronym of the five personality traits. 

Like the MBTI, this test includes self-reported answers focused on how an individual views themselves. Unlike the MBTI, the Big Five does not require selection of one trait over another, instead placing the test-taker along a continuum of each of the personality traits. For example, instead of labeling someone an “introvert” or an “extravert,” the test results will show how extraverted they are on a spectrum, especially in comparison to others. 

The Big 5 has also taken a few hits in recent news. Cambridge Analytica’s major data harvesting campaign leading up to the 2016 election was based on an app that gave Facebook users their Big Five types — while also stealing their profile information. We recommend that you find another free version of this quiz from a more reputable source.

Tammy’s leading trait is: Low Neuroticism (Emotional Stability) Kat’s leading trait is: Openness to Experience Marlowe’s leading trait is: Agreeableness Lisa’s leading trait is: Conscientiousness Niki’s leading trait is: Agreeableness Kevin’s leading trait is: Agreeableness

TRACOM Social Styles Model 

If you’ve spent any time working in a large, traditional organization, you’ve likely learned about the TRACOM Social Styles Model. Along with the MBTI, this is a popular assessment with human resources teams, used to help colleagues understand each other and work better together. 

The original Social Styles Model test was developed in 1964, and simply asked respondents to answer “yes” or “no” to a series of 150 adjectives. In 1992, the original survey was replaced by a new version that updated the checklist with behavior-based statements, which were more reliable and valid in assessing personality types. In the modern version, results are tallied on three scales: Responsiveness, Versatility and Assertiveness, which in various compositions describe four personality types: Driving, Expressive, Amiable and Analytical. Often, the Social Styles Model is paired with the MBTI or the Big Five to provide a more well-rounded picture of an individual’s personality.

Tammy is: Driving Kat is: Expressive Marlowe is: Amiable Lisa is: Analytical Niki is: Amiable Kevin is: Amiable

The Fisher Temperament Inventory

Developed by Dr. Helen Fisher, the Fisher Temperament Inventory (FTI) is a more recent entry into this category. It was created to help describe why we fall in love — or even how we work better — with certain people over others. The test measures temperament, which can be linked to hormones and brain science. Unlike other personality tests, the FTI doesn’t deal with psychology, but is instead based in our genes, hormones, and neurotransmitters. 

Similar to the Big Five, this test asks the individual to rank how much they agree or disagree with certain statements. The results show how much the respondent relates to traits linked to one of four biological systems across a spectrum:dopamine, serotonin, testosterone, and estrogen. 

While every individual uses the four systems in some capacity, most of us count one or two systems as more dominant than the rest. As a result, some people can be evenly matched across the systems. Several of the free versions of the FTI are directed at people looking for love, revealing the best mate to match your own temperament. In the business world, understanding how different temperaments interact can help us build better working relationships.

Tammy is a: Curious/Energetic or Explorer Kat is a: Prosocial/Empathetic or Negotiator Marlowe is a: Prosocial/Empathetic or Negotiator Lisa is a: Cautious/Social Norm Compliant or Builder Niki is a: Prosicial/Empathetic or Negotiator Kevin is a: Prosocial/Empathetic or Negotiator

The 5 Love Languages

Our final addition to this list may seem strange, but bear with us. The Five Love Languages test can help us learn how a person expresses or understands love and appreciation, which can be an enormous asset to creating harmonious relationships in the workplace.

The 5 Love Languages: The Secret to Love That Lasts by Gary Chapman hit bookstore shelves in 1992 as a guide to help married couples deepen and improve their relationships. It outlines five major ways of expressing and understanding love, otherwise known as the love languages: Gifts, Quality Time, Words of Affirmation, Acts of Service, and Physical Touch.To determine your love language, you take a test in which you pick one method of expressing affection over another in a series of questions. According to Chapman’s theory, every individual has one primary and one secondary love language. 

Knowing a person’s love language(s) can help us communicate our appreciation and support  in ways they will truly understand. This, of course, has applications beyond a romantic setting. For instance, “physical touch” can also include eye contact or even a high-five, so a colleague who counts this as his primary love language may be hurt if you pass him in the hall and don’t say hello. Another example is your colleague whose primary love language is “gift giving,” who counts the days to the office Secret Santa gift exchange.

Tammy’s Love Language is: Words of Affirmation Kat’s Love Language is: Acts of Service Marlowe’s Love Language is: Quality Time Lisa’s Love Language is: Acts of Service Niki’s Love Language is: Acts of Service Kevin’s Love Language is: Physical Touch

By taking into account our many unique personality traits, qualities, and temperaments, we are better able to serve each other as colleagues and deliver excellent service to our clients. Understanding how different individuals interact also makes us better listeners and more proactive servants, which is what sets LuckyTamm Digital Marketing apart.

If you’re ready to work with an agency that not only listens to you but works to add a human touch to your digital marketing, get in touch!