According to our new research – https://www.bupa.co.uk/business/news-and-information/understanding-personalities-in-the-workplace – in the last five years, UK Google search volumes reveal growing curiosity in personality styles:
- ‘Myers-Briggs assessment test’ searches have increased sixfold
- ‘Workplace personality assessment’ searches have doubled
- ‘Workplace personality test’ searches doubled
From drivers to guardians, knowing the blend of personality types you have in your workforce can help you understand how to best to motivate and support on an individual basis – and improve your overall business performance. But how do you actually do this?
Naomi Humber, Head of Mental Wellbeing at Bupa UK, reveals what managers need to know about personality dynamics to help their team flourish.
8 tips to manage different personality types in your workplace:
- Get to know your employees: Take the time to understand each of your employees’ personalities, strengths and weaknesses. This will help you determine which personality type they fit under. Some employers use a test, such as the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI), to gain insights into their employees’ personalities and behaviours.
- Adapt your leadership style: Be flexible in your leadership approach to adapt to different individual working styles and their methods of communication.
- Build relationships: Make time to talk to your employees individually in work and after work at team socials to get to know about their personal lives and career goals.
- Prioritise shared goals: Highlight common objectives to connect the team and reduce potential conflicts arising from differing personalities.
- Embrace differences: Encourage an inclusive and diverse work culture that values the unique strengths and perspectives of everyone. This can lead to increased innovation and productivity.
- Avoid negative labelling: Be mindful of negative labelling when interacting with individuals who have different communication or behavioural traits. Focus on understanding and appreciating their strengths and differences.
- Be flexible with communication: Adapt your communication style to suit the preferences of the team as a collective. Being flexible in how you communicate can help bridge gaps between different personality types.
- Involve employees in decision-making: Create an environment where your employees’ opinions are valued, seeking their input can be advantageous.