Proper selection of a personality test will ensure effective team building. If proper tools are used, most organizations will gain a better understanding of team dynamics and improve collaboration where necessary.
So, what are some of the best personality tests for team building? The most popular ones include Myers-Briggs Type Indicator-MBTI, DISC, CliftonStrengths, and Big Five. They help a hirer understand the personality of an individual. And thus ensure that teams can work cohesively.
The following blog examines each of these and some other helpful assessments in detail. You’ll also find how they encourage collaboration and build a positive team culture.
Why Use Personality Tests for Team Building?
The best personality tests for team building reveal the strengths, ways of communicating, and values of the team members. They enable teams to find out the peculiar traits of each other. It helps with smoother and easier functioning and reduces misunderstandings among themselves.
These tests help hirers to build balanced teams. They can make such teams in which every member can work harmoniously. Some of the helpful assessments to get a clearer picture of an individual’s personality are mentioned below:
| Assessments | Descriptions |
| Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) | Defines personality in 16 unique types. |
| DISC Assessment | Focuses on Dominance, Influence, Steadiness, and Conscientiousness. |
| CliftonStrengths (StrengthsFinder) | Identifies key strengths for optimal performance. |
| Big Five Personality Test | Measures five core personality traits. |
| Enneagram Personality Test | Classifies nine personality types and motivations. |
| 16 Personalities Test | Merges MBTI with Big Five insights. |
| Hogan Personality Inventory (HPI) | Assesses personality traits for workplace success. |
| EQ-i 2.0 (Emotional Intelligence Test) | Measures emotional intelligence competencies. |
| Situational Judgement Test (SJT) | Evaluates decision-making in workplace scenarios. |
| HEXACO Personality Inventory | Adds Honesty-Humility to Big Five traits. |
| Birkman Method | Reveals motivations, needs, and social expectations. |
Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI)
Among the most popular web-based personality tests is the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator. The instrument sorts personalities based on preferences into one of 16 variations. Such as introversion versus extroversion, and thinking versus feeling.
This helps the team understand the ways how members may prefer to communicate and work. Thus it enhances teamwork by minimizing possible areas of conflict.
How It Helps
MBTI brings out the different strengths and preferences in a team. It enables the team members to appreciate perspectives different from their own.
Key Benefit
MBTI’s insights improve communication by aligning working styles. It further allows setting realistic expectations about how people will collaborate.
DISC Assessment
DISC assessment categorizes personalities into four major groups. Namely: Dominance, Influence, Steadiness, and Conscientiousness. DISC is good for understanding precisely how one prefers to communicate. And also get an idea about their most frequent behavioral pattern.
This particularly assists in team building. And gives a clearer vision about who can be a leader and motivator, and who works well in a supportive role.
How It Helps
DISC explains the approach of each individual in the team toward challenges, change, and teamwork.
Key Benefit
This helps managers to assign tasks much better. They can match the work with individual strengths ultimately improving productivity and satisfaction.
CliftonStrengths (StrengthsFinder)
CliftonStrengths is also known as StrengthsFinder. Unlike most others, it doesn’t categorize a person into a specific personality type. Instead, it identifies the strongest talents an individual possesses.
By this assessment, team members will be able to use their strengths effectively. Thus helps in building a well-rounded team. Such a team where each member plays to his or her unique capabilities.
How It Helps
It focuses on positive traits enabling employees to project their strengths in their work.
Key Benefit
CliftonStrengths prompts teams to implement a strengths-based culture. It empowers members within a team and can enhance morale.
Big Five Personality Test
The Big Five, also known as OCEAN stands for Openness, Conscientiousness, Extraversion, Agreeableness, and Neuroticism. It measures personality in five dimensions.
This test gives a team lead a complete insight about how team members might respond to any particular situation. Hence helps the managers to form balanced teams.
How It Helps
Teams can understand each other well. It gives an idea about one’s tolerance for stress, openness to new ideas, and approach to teamwork.
Key Benefit
Big Five insights enable the staffing and placing of employees in positions that better suit their personality. It ensures productivity and satisfaction.
Enneagram Personality Test
The Enneagram test sorts people according to nine different personality types. It is based on core motivations and fears.
For team building, this test indicates what drives each team member to take specific actions. It also gives an idea about how they handle stress and conflict and manage change.
How It Helps
Teams can avoid fights and work together in tandem when every member’s motivations are understood.
Key Benefit
It shares motivations, necessities, ways of communication and behaviors of an individual. Thus, it permits empathetic leadership and conflict resolution.
16 Personalities Test
The 16 Personalities test combines the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator with the Big Five. Thus it can provide a comprehensive insight into personality.
It shows various areas about an individual like energy, nature, tactics, and identity. Hence you can get a very well-rounded view of how individuals might interact in a team.
How It Helps
The knowledge of the energy level of members and how they arrive at decisions will help managers structure their teams more effectively.
Key Benefit
It encourages diversity in the way of thinking and work methods. And thus it adds flexibility to teams.
The Hogan Personality Inventory (HPI)
Hogan’s Personality Inventory looks at job performance and individual functioning in work settings. Hence, it is very applicable in team building.
It identifies an individual’s strengths, possible pitfalls, and work environments that are preferred.
How It Helps
HPI is good at comprehending one’s employee’s potential for leadership, teamwork, and problem-solving.
Key Benefit
It contributes to developing well-rounded teams. Because it focuses on how individuals operate. For example, their daily interaction within the workplace context.
EQ-i 2.0 (Emotional Intelligence Test)
The professional test of EQ-i 2.0 measures the emotional intelligence of a person. It’s based on self-awareness, self-expression, and relationships with others.
Emotionally intelligent individuals naturally make for much better teamwork. Because it affects communication, conflict resolution, and empathy.
How It Helps
High EQ correlates with strong team players and with stress management. Hence, this test helps in selecting good collaborators.
Key Benefit
The test provides insight into how team members handle feelings. Thus it helps set the basis for constructive feedback. And growth in interpersonal relations is also maintained.
Situational Judgment Test (SJT)
The Situational Judgement Tests ask the candidate to consider numerous hypothetical incidences. It then assesses their decision-making and problem-solving skills.
These tests have been popular in recruitment. However, knowing how each team member acts in challenging work can be useful for team building.
How It Helps
SJT results reveal critical thinking and adaptability. Both of them are the keys to team dynamics in fast-paced or high-stress environments.
Key Benefit
It is especially helpful for positions requiring quick, effective action in dynamic situations. This further builds team resilience.
HEXACO Personality Inventory
HEXACO is like an expansion of the Big Five. It includes one additional personality trait, that is, honesty and humility. This sixth trait provides insight into ethics, trustworthiness, and humility.
The mentioned personality traits are important for team collaboration. They help build a positive work culture.
How It Helps
This test will help identify employees who are aligned with a company’s ethical standards and collaborative spirit.
Key Benefit
HEXACO enables the building of a team that preserves integrity. It also is cohesive, and trustworthy.
Birkman Method
The Birkman Method measures motivation, communication style, and social expectations. And reveals the hidden needs and stressors, aiding team cohesion.
It enables the manager to build teams that can effectively align goals and processes. It is unique in focusing on both behavior and underlying needs.
How It Helps
It highlights hidden needs and stressors. Thus helping the teams avoid burnout and misunderstanding.
Key Benefit
Teams can learn about individual needs. They can get an idea of the sources of stress for team members as well. Thereby foster a supportive working environment.
Caliper Profile
The Caliper Profile assesses diverse personality attributes. Such as how candidates cope with stress, solve problems, and relate to others.
The profile is usually used to predict job performance. Hence, it might come in handy in a setting that demands highly functioning team members.
How It Helps
Teaches job-related strengths and motivational drivers to help in work role assignments.
Key Benefit
Caliper Profile helps organizations fit the employees with their natural abilities in a job role. It will offer greater productivity and satisfaction for the entire team.
How to Choose the Right Personality Test
The right test selection would depend upon the specific needs of a team. If, for example, there is an issue in communication, then tests such as MBTI or DISC would be just perfect. Then CliftonStrengths works when one wants to focus on strengths.
So you need to ensure which assessment aligns with your aim for team building. And also consider employee feedback regarding their own experiences with assessments.
Practical Tips for Using Personality Tests in the Workplace
Introduce Gradually
Use assessments in team-building sessions or workshops.
Encourage Openness
Allow sharing of the results to better understand each member of your team.
Use Results Strategically
Use the findings of the assessment to determine how to communicate with them, give tasks, and handle conflicts.
Respect Privacy
Let them know what is necessary and make them feel comfortable throughout the process.
Related Questions
What is the best personality test for teamwork?
The most common and widely used assessment for effective communication and teamwork is the DISC assessment.
Can personality tests help with workplace productivity?
Yes, personality tests may balance the work and roles with personal strengths by understanding team dynamics. And thereby it increases productivity.
Which personality traits are more useful for team collaboration?
Openness, agreeableness, and conscientiousness are highly helpful traits for teamwork.
Are personality tests right for hiring decisions?
While useful, personality profile testing is among a number of tools to hire and provides supplemental information rather than concrete answers.
What is the most accurate personality test?
The Big Five is the most scientifically backed assessment method.
Conclusion
So what are the best personality tests for team building? Tools such as MBTI, DISC, CliftonStrengths, Big Five, and many more have desirably helped managers develop well-composed teams by studying the dynamics of each team member. Personality tests build up team building and collaboration within teams.
The mentioned assessments improve understanding among team members, assign tasks according to a person’s strengths, and help develop a culture of understanding and respect. All of these are vital attributes of great teams and, therefore, organizations concerned with the growth of their employees.
