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Personality Assessments and Me
Sarah Logan
BMAL 500
Liberty University
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Abstract
This paper reviews self-assessments used to determine various personality traits and
qualities as they are associated with my individual communication style, leadership style within
the organization. I will review how the results of my self- assessments will govern my behavior
within the work environment. In conclusion, I discuss how I am learning about submission to
the authorities above me.
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Personality Assessments and Me.
Personality Insights
Personality is “the combination of relatively stable physical, behavioral, and
mental characteristics that gives individuals their unique identities (Kinicki, 2021).” The Myers
Briggs Personality Test revealed to me some of my individual psychological traits. I answered a
series of questions that thousands of other people have taken. These questions reveal a four-letter
code that classifies me in a group of certain communicators. The letters in the code assign a
dominant personality traits. The traits are based on how the test taker conducts themselves with
the world around them. The test revealed to me that I was an ENFJ. After reading the description
of the test I was not surprised. The description on the personality was spot on. I was classified as
an idealist who lives in a world of possibilities. Per the Keirsey temperaments, my two-letter
temperament was the NF’s, they are known as the idealists. Some of the fictional characters
associated with was Lucy (caring) from Charlie Brown, the Tin Man from the wizard of OZ and
Slytherin because they are the idealist (Daniel, 2017).” My big five personality Assessment
revealed that I ranked high in extraversion, agreeableness, conscientiousness, and openness.
Surprisingly, I was moderate for emotional stability. I have never considered myself emotionally
stable because I can be quite emotional at times.
According to Self-Assessment 2.1: “What Are My Core Values?” achievement was
something I values greatly. I do not know if this is true or not. My mother recently stated that I
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was driven as I complained about finishing my master’s degree and getting a better job. I think I
am just tired of barely getting by. I choose to pursue accounting so I could get off the phone in
my customer service job. I was completely burned out. I want to retire in my early sixties and
provide a home for my family. I also want to be able to afford to take my dogs to the vet when
they need to go. To provide this for myself and family I suppose I need to achieve my goals.
Writing this I understand why I scored high on this part of my values. But I would not consider it
achievement seeking behavior. I would consider it more goal oriented or tired of getting yelled at
on the phone. Getting yelled at or talked to nasty to on a daily basis is a great motivator. I would
consider myself more generous or giving not achievement seeking. But I understand how I
scored that way at this time. I just have to be focused right now. I am focused; having to work
fulltime and go to school.
Decision-making and problem-solving insights were quite interesting. According to the
Myer-Briggs test I was an intuitive personality type. Intuitive personality types are able make
determinations regarding others, their intentions, and motives through examinations of the
person. Intuitive personality types can determine outcomes of decision and are able to avoid poor
decisions. Per the self-assessments, I am open and easy going. I feel that this shows that my
decision making and problem-solving behaviors would be excellent. I pay attention to detail and
I am able to interact with others well this will aid in my problem solving skills
Insights into My Motivation
Per my Theory X/Y self-assessment, I display a low X orientation and a high Y
orientation. Theory X is described as a poor view of employees, and managers who prefer this
view feel that employees can only be motivated with rewards and punishment (Kinicki, 2020).
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On the other hand, leaders who follow Theory Y believe that employees are responsible,
committed, self-engaged, and creative. Edward Deci and Richard Ryan’s self-determination
theory is something I believe needs to be looked at regarding to my assessments. This theory is
consisting of three needs that that drive intrinsic motivation, Intrinsic motivation has been shown
to have a more positive impact on task performance than extrinsic motivation. The three needs
associated with this theory are autonomy, competence, and relatedness. With the highest
associated need, the relatedness need is associated with one’s need to relate to others, and to feel
part of a group (Kinicki, 2020). This need can also be directly associated with my strong
characteristic trait of conscientiousness and agreeableness.
Working with Others
Communication Skills
Regarding my communication skills, my assessment results showed both a high communication
competence and a trait for high listening skills. Actively listening means that you are
understanding and interpreting messages from others. This trait is positively associated with
customer satisfaction (Kinicki, 2020). This is a skill I have developed highly. I have worked in
customer service for over a decade. Primarily on the phone, I have taken calls regarding
appointments and medications issues. I have had to develop a skill set to deal with enraged
customers. To be honest, I am truly burnt out on being on the phone. But this developed skill set
will
Leadership and Team Skills
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I scored high in initiating structure and high consideration in leader behavior on my
assessments. I think this result shows that I can be an asset to any team. I am able to lead well
and I enjoy it. I have supervised up to 12 people before on a team. I enjoy developing individuals
and helping them move forward in their careers. I am also a great follower. I am not over
competitive as shown on my assessments. Because I have the versatility to take on different
roles, I feel I am a great asset to any team. I believe there are multiple ways to accomplish a
goals on a team, and it is important to take all perspectives into consideration. Which is why I am
not surprised I scored high in initiating structure and high consideration regarding my leadership
behavior.
Conflict Resolution.
Per Alissa Carpenter, “We all think and act differently, and although certain actions may
be frustrating to you, they are not necessarily bad (2020).” Conflict is not a bad thing. And it
should not be view as a bad thing. Per my assessments, I scored high in agreeableness and
accommodation. This may be seen as avoiding conflict, but I disagree. I am able to process
conflict in a positive manner. I do not see conflict as negative. I am neutral to it. I see it as a way
to solve a problem. I feel like I develop this trait from working on the phones for way to long. I
had to deal with all types of people. I had to help them even when they were not nice. Much of
the time even the angriest person calmed down after I figured out there needs. Angry people do
not communicate well. They become overwhelmed. Figuring out the problem takes a skill set I
have developed.
Life in the Organizations
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Organizational Politics
I find organization politics dreary. I am fabulous team player and do great work. My
assessments showcase my team and leadership skills sets. I am consciousness and extremely
agreeable. I honestly should do well in an office environment. And I do as long as I play the
game. People are mean. I wish the world was not so toxic. But working in offices can be
especially hard at times. One person can make the office a horrible place to work. I have gotten
to the point where I just want to work at home. I want to communicate through email and
complete my work. I think I need the distance from the toxicity that and office breeds. I enjoy
working as an accountant now because I am left to work on my responsibilities.
Organizational Needs – Employee Satisfaction
With my assessments, I was found to be moderately engaged with my studies and my
work. I find this to be true. I feel that the results of this assessment are accurate in my current
organization based on recent experiences I have encountered, especially regarding supervision.
My controller seems to value and much of my work I find interesting. My person training me is a
narcissist though. I despise working with her. It is a constant struggle. I am in deep prayer every
day. Last week she told me to do something in a system I had never heard of before. It was a
company program they used for vendors. She refused to show me how. I had to have the help
desk walk me through my initial set up. I am currently just waiting my year till I have enough
time to sit for my CPA exam. I enjoy the work and try to communicate with my trainer only
through emails. But her toxicity weighs on my employee satisfaction.
Organizational Change.
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Per my assessments I am extremely open to new experiences. I am also extremely
agreeable. My organization is involved in a current merger that will affect how we conduct
business. Also in April, a new payroll system will come into play. Change is constant in my
organization. But Every job I have ever had has had constant change. Organizational change is
constant in any modern organization.
Step 2
What have I learned from the personality test about organizational behavior? I have
learned that it takes several different types of individuals to make a team function. A leader is
need as well as team members. Each can work together to complete the task needed to be done.
What have I learned about myself? I have learned that I am a good and strong leader. I am
agreeable and detailed oriented. I need to focus on being a leader since that is where my skill set
lies. I currently am learning at my job. I do a good job. I arrive on time and I am pleasant to all. I
do not plan to be in my current role past October. There is a critical need for accountants across
the country. I hope to find a job that is remote when my year mark comes up. These assessments
have shown me that I am good at communicating. I am trying to learn how to be more
submissive and submit to the authority above me which can be hard. I do my work and learn. I
am really interested in learning the new payroll system that is coming in April, so I can add it to
my skill set.
Step 3
The Holy Spirit has worked on me in a very important way recently. The person directly
above me is not nice to me. I have prayed deeply, and I have been told not to react. I am to learn
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from this current situation. Hebrews 13:17 states, Have confidence in your leaders and submit to
their authority. “I am submitting. It is hard. I feel that this current situation that is not pleasant is
just a learning experience that will help me in the long run. I also feel that the current situation is
teaching me submission and how not to react. I believe it is a valuable lesson. Per Kahane &
Barnum, “Getting things done in complex situations with diverse others is never
straightforward. Energies must be mobilized; needs must be balance; actions must be taken
(2017).” By submitting I am learning to deal with different energies. The situation is temporary. I
getting what I need to move forward to the next career opportunity.
Per Kroeger, “It is important to remember that in type watching there are no absolutes
and that everything is relative. There are no good or bad types (2002).” These assessments are
only a tool to help in the development of communications at work. I found the assessments to be
eye opening but not necessarily absolutely correct. I think if taken with a grain of salt they can
aid a person developing their communication skill set at work.
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References
Carpenter, A. (2020). How to listen and how to be heard: Inclusive conversations at work. Career
Press.
Kahane, A., & Barnum, J. (2017). Collaborating with the enemy: How to work with people you
don't agree with or like or trust. Berrett-Koehler Publishers, Inc.
Kinicki, Angelo. (2021).Organizational Behavior: A Pratical, Problem-Solving Approach.
McGraw-Hill.
Kroeger, O., Thuesen, J., & Rutledge, H. (2002). Type Talk at Work. New York: Dell Publishing.
Study NIV Bible. (2012). Zondervan.
