“Personality, as a complex and multi-faceted aspect of an individual, encompasses various traits, behaviours, and tendencies”

Wherever we go, we carry our unique selves with us — at work, on vacation, or when having a night out. Every day, our complex human life unravels, showing who we are in many ways. It blends together different qualities, actions, and habits that make each person special.

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Think of personality as the distinctive colour palette that paints the canvas of one's identity. To understand what makes each person unique, we need to recognise personality traits – the qualities that show how someone usually thinks, feels, and acts.

Traditional psychological theories suggest stability in personality traits, but recent research and evolving theories propose a more dynamic perspective. Several factors contribute to the metamorphosis of personality over time.

Biological Factors: Genetics may lay the foundation, but the brain's adaptability, known as neuroplasticity, introduces shifts in cognitive and emotional patterns throughout life.

Developmental Stages: Life is a journey and each phase —adolescence, young adulthood, midlife, and beyond introduces shifts in personality, influenced by experiences, responsibilities, and challenges unique to that stage.

Environment and Culture: The surroundings we inhabit, including family, social circles, and cultural influences, sculpt our personality. Changes in the environment or exposure to diverse cultures can stimulate shifts in our traits.

Life Experiences: Major life events, from marriage to career transitions, imprint profound impacts on personality, paving the way for new coping mechanisms and perspectives.

Self-awareness and Personal Growth: With maturation comes self-awareness, driving conscious efforts to refine aspects of personality through endeavours like therapy, self-reflection, or education.

The Power of a Curious Mindset

The belief that personality cannot be modified often stems from a fixed mindset, limiting opportunities for personal and professional growth. Knowing your own personality traits enhances self-awareness, providing insight into your strengths, weaknesses, motivations, and areas for development.

All this fosters self-understanding, crucial for decision-making, stress management, and forming meaningful connections. In the realm of relationships, understanding your personality fosters improved communication and empathy, guiding you in forming meaningful connections with compatible friends, partners, and collaborators.

And it doesn’t end there. Having a better understanding of your personality traits aids your wellbeing, allowing you to align choices with your values and preferences, ultimately leading to greater life satisfaction.

Benefits of Personality Assessment in the Professional Arena

Understanding one's personality is not just a personal endeavour; it holds immense value in the professional realm. As consumer and employee demands are on the rise, organisations need deeper psychological data and insights to inform decisions regarding the necessary cultural shifts aligning with business goals.

This is precisely where personality profiling becomes indispensable.

Building strong professional relationships often relies on effective communication and understanding the needs and goals of others. Whether you are hiring or putting a team together, personality tests can provide you with clear insights to make an informed decision.

As a leader, understanding your own personality and the personalities of team members is crucial for effective leadership. Tailoring your leadership style to individual needs can enhance motivation and productivity.

Have you tried the Lumina personality test?

And so, in the realm of personality, various models serve as compasses, guiding our understanding of the diverse human psyche. For me, as a practitioner, the Lumina Learning personality model stands out as an invaluable tool in this pursuit. It goes beyond traditional models, revealing your whole personality, and providing a unique portrait of who you really are.

The model offers a different perspective and understanding of personality and can be useful in fostering self-awareness, unlocking hidden potential, navigating pressure, understanding team dynamics, guiding careers, and promoting personal growth.

This personality test views individuals as 'human beings' rather than 'human doings.' It offers valuable guidance for aligning people with suitable roles, gaining deeper insights into your inherent leadership style, and exploring your complete personality without confining you to predefined categories – a departure from other tools. In essence, it supports organisational improvement by fostering a nuanced understanding of individuals, free from the constraints of labels or stereotypes.

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However, let’s not forget the balancing act. While personality assessments offer valuable insights, relying solely on them for leadership decisions is not advisable. The optimal approach involves integrating personality data with behavioural data, ensuring a comprehensive understanding and informed decision-making.

Want to learn more about personality profiling and how it can help you to communicate with more influence and impact in the workplace? Feel free to reach out today.