It’s no secret that lots of us in the entrepreneurship space are really into personal development and personality types.
And it makes sense, right?
The better you know yourself, your values, and all your strengths (and corresponding weaknesses…), the better you can show up as the leader your business needs.
In my experience, entrepreneurship is one big self-actualization journey.
The ups and downs of growing a business shines a light on all the things inside of you that you never bothered to deal with, or the parts of you that never had the space to fully shine through before.
That’s one of the reasons why my first question to all my podcast guests is, “What’s your personality type.” I love the variety that has come from this question and what it reveals about the human side of these amazing business owners I interview. (Much better than a bio of accolades ever could.)
So, in the name of balancing the score, I figured I’d share my personality types with you…in no particular order!
(And yes, I’m fully hoping you’ll comment below and share yours…I find this stuff fascinating and the anthropology major in me loves a glimpse into what makes people tick.)
1️⃣ I’m an Enneagram 1—The Advocate/Reformer. (Anyone surprised?) This means I can get high and mighty, but I’m also amazing to have in your corner and to come to for advice.
2️⃣ I’m a logically-driven “Green” via True Colors, which is the rarest type. (Loyalty-driven “Gold”, the most common, is a very close 2nd for me.) It means I’m an ideas person, a researcher, and I’m able to ask the tough questions and connect the hidden dots.
3️⃣ I’m an INFJ via Myers Briggs—the Advocate (yet again…). With the Introverted, Intuitive, Feeling, and Judging traits, we are “paradoxes of their personalities. Their personality is divergent and combines incompatible functions.” Suddenly all that teenage angst makes a bit more sense. 🙃 Also the rarest combo, also hugely driven by integrity and taking care of the people and things that matter most to us.
4️⃣ On the standard introvert/extrovert scale, I’m definitely an introvert in that I recharge via alone time. I’m an only child (although most people are surprised by this when they hear it, which I take as a compliment), so I grew up with lots of quiet time with my thoughts and hobbies.
And not all introverts are shy wallflowers. (Although sometimes that’s the sweet spot…especially if the snack table is within arm’s reach.) I can “turn it on” when I need to and I’m pretty high energy in general. I LOVE facilitating, leading (especially by example), and can even get in front of lots of eyeballs if I feel confident in why I’m there and what I have to say. But there’s nothing like some good ole’ me-myself-and-I time.
(Listen to this interview I did on The Introvertpreneur Podcast.)
5️⃣ I’m a Highly Sensitive Person, which I first heard about via YouTube years ago and am only exploring now via entrepreneurship. The world is absolutely not set up for HSPs and I’ve tampered down a lot my sensitive tendencies to accommodate the world around me, but being an HSP does unlock a level of empathy in me that I don’t think many others are able to tap into.
(Listen to this interview I did re: HSPs on The Sensitive CEO Show!)
6️⃣ I’m a Cancer (last day possible before Leo season!) with a Capricorn Rising Sign. Not sure about my moons and other aspects. Honesty, I don’t know much about astrology and haven’t put much stock in it, but my business bestie sent me a link a few years ago that was SO SPOT ON. I can’t find the link for the life of me, but one of the descriptions I copied and texted her said, “You are practical and reserved but very ambitious. An achiever and a hard worker, you respect success. Older looking and very serious as a youth, things lighten up and you relax more as you mature. Relaxation and play do not come easily. Generally, you have a good, earthy sense of humor that can carry you through when times really do get tough. You are purposeful, self-willed, industrious, realistic and responsible.” #seen
And in terms of the Chinese zodiac, I’m a ram/sheep/goat. Not sure why these animals fluctuate depending on where you read (does that also say something about me?), but my husband’s favorite animal is a sheep and they’re a sign of luck and prosperity in Senegal, so I’ll take it.
7️⃣ A few years back, I did a communications personality test called “5 Voices”. Here were my results (although I’m not 100% sure these are as aligned as all the others I’ve done): 1. Guardian 2. Creative 3. Pioneer 4. Nurturer 5. Connector
8️⃣ The Advocate pops up again with my “Sparketype” (the Jonathan Fields-founded test). It’s followed by rabbit-hole-falling “The Maven” and in direct opposition with “The Performer”. (Again, no surprises here.)
9️⃣ I only just heard about Gretchen Rubin’s Four Tendencies Quiz and—shocker—got typed as the Questioner. “They decide for themselves whether a course of action is a good idea, and they resist doing anything that seems to lack purpose.” Sensing any themes here?
🔟 I’m new to Human Design, but I’m a Generator and have a “responding strategy”, which makes so much sense as to why I find consulting calls, the brand messaging process, and even live workshop facilitation so energizing. The Generator description is that we’re “people who are here to lift the energy out of the world.” Whoa. Pretty powerful if you ask me.
So, all this to say, yes, I’m clearly a fan of personality tests.
And yes, some of the things that can make me seem prickly or unsupportive as a friend or partner or water-cooler-colleague are the exact things that make me REALLY good at consulting and strategy.
I want to pull out the best, brightest vision you have for yourself and your business. I want to share it out to as many of the perfect people as possible. I want YOUR personality to been seen and felt across your brand. Because I believe in your vision—and your potential.
It’s just part of who I am.
Like I mentioned, PLEASE comment below with one or all of your personality types. Or any tests I missed and should do!
And if you want someone to advocate for your vision and to do a deep dive on what you stand for and how you can stand out, book a free Collaboration Call.
This is an excerpt from Toward Purpose & Progress, my newsletter where I share business tips, good news, shoutouts to Founder Friends, and other juicy snippets. Subscribe here for more rants, reflections, and resources.