Parents: Take This Helpful Personality Test

Getting to know yourself is an important part of your Personal Growth. The more you learn about why you think and feel the way you do, the more you understand yourself – and others. You begin to fully appreciate that we all approach the same situations from different points of view and there is no absolute ‘right’ or ‘wrong’.

Have you heard of the Myers–Briggs personality test? It’s an introspective questionnaire that helps you identify which of one of the 16 different personality types you are based on how you perceive the world around you and how you make decisions.  It can lead to some interesting insights into why you do things a certain way – or why you do them at all.

There’s an free online version of this test created by www.16personalities.com which has been adapted to include two additional layers to gain an even deeper interpretation. You’ll find out what kind of career you’re most suited for, what you’re like as a friend and in romantic relationships, as well as your parenting strengths and weaknesses.

Once I took it, I discovered some fresh insights about myself. The results put me right smack in the middle of the introvert– extrovert scale. It definitely depends on the situation and whom I’m with. I wrote about my introverted tendencies here before I’d taken the test and when I was still struggling to understand this about myself.

I’m a Protagonist: ENFJ personality which makes up only two per cent of the population and explains my desire to want to lead others and myself to a brighter future. Famous ENFJ people include Barack Obama and Oprah Winfrey.

My report highlighted that ‘ENFJs are genuine, caring people who talk the talk and walk the walk, and nothing makes them happier than leading the charge, uniting and motivating their team with infectious enthusiasm.’   I’d say that sums me up quite accurately. 

I’ve taken the test multiple times over the years, convinced I’d get different results as I felt I was merely guessing at many of the questions, but each time I get the same ENFJ result – with my E (extrovert) coming out only marginally higher than my I (introvert). I’m intuitive more than observant (which explains why I rarely notice if a friend has lost weight or changed her hair-style, but I’m very tuned into how they are feeling.)  I’m highly cooperative (I’ve often said I don’t have a competitive bone in my body), emotionally expressive, and prefer planning, structure and organisation rather than improvising and ‘winging it’. (My Master Your To-Do List Training Video sure confirms that!)

It was interesting to read about my personality as a parent:

‘ENFJ parents take pride in nurturing and inspiring strong values, and they take care to ensure that the basis for these values comes from understanding, not blind obedience. Whatever their children need in order to learn and grow, ENFJ parents give the time and energy necessary to provide it. While in their weaker moments they may succumb to more manipulative behaviour, ENFJs mostly rely on their charm and idealism to make sure their children take these lessons to heart.’

My husband I rarely saw eye-to-eye when it came to disciplining our kids when they were small. I wish we’d both taken this test so we could have discussed how to better balance our individual approaches without each thinking the other was ‘wrong’. Showing a ‘united front’ was never our strong point.

Here’s what some mothers have said after seeing their personality test results:

I’m a big believer in this test. My husband and I did it as marriage prep and discovered we’re complete opposites. It helps me (in particular) to know how to approach him about things and how he handles and reacts to situations. For years we struggled to understand each other; now it’s much more harmonious.
—Liz

It taught me so much about myself and how I relate to others; also getting to know other people that have a similar personality to mine made me feel less of a weirdo. As an INFJ, I’m the most rare and complex personality type – one per cent of the population! It’s a really fun thing to do and helps to find out about other people around you too.
—Irene

I don’t always feel like a ‘fun’ person but I’ve come to realise after taking the test that as an introvert I often have a different idea of fun than others who like lots of socialising. Fun to me can be a cosy hour on the couch with my cat and a good book or a family movie night. I’m also part of a book club which meets every six weeks.
—Jan

A couple of years ago our teenage son was studying psychology in school and his teacher encouraged him to take this personality test. He came out as a Campaigner: ENFP-T: Someone who has strong people skills and will bring an energy that often times thrusts them into the spotlight, held up by their peers as a leader and a guru.  He’s now an elected member of UK Youth Parliament and this describes him perfectly.

A big part of becoming the expert of you and creating your own Project Me is getting to know and understand yourself better. Taking this personality test can help you to practise more self-compassion for your weaknesses and have confidence in your strengths.

Take the online personality test here: www.16personalities.com. It’s free and there’s no registration required to see your results. 

In the comments below, share your personality type and/or any insights you’ve learned about yourself after taking this personality test. I’ll love to read what you have to say.