Personality Type
Assessment
PERSONALITY TYPES is an assessment tool designed to help individuals understand their natural preferences in how they gain energy, gather information, make decisions and approach work and life.
The Concept
Every person is unique, yet there are recognisable patterns in the way people think, communicate, make decisions and interact with others. Personality Styles help us understand these natural differences.
These preferences influence how we gain energy, process information, make decisions, solve problems, respond to change and build relationships.
Understanding our own Personality Style allows us to leverage our strengths more effectively, while understanding the styles of others helps us communicate and collaborate more successfully.
When leaders appreciate different Personality Styles, they create environments where diversity of thought is valued, relationships are strengthened, and people are able to contribute at their best.
Type vs Style
A Personality Type represents an individual's unique combination of personality preferences. The assessment identifies sixteen distinct Personality Types, each with its own strengths, perspectives and ways of interacting with the world.
Each Personality Type is formed from four Personality Styles, representing how a person naturally gains energy, gathers information, makes decisions and organises life and work. These styles are identified as Extrovert or Introvert, Sensible or Novel, Thorough or Fair, and Judicious or Perceptive.
For example, an individual with the Personality Type ESTJ has a Personality Style that is Extrovert, Sensible, Thorough and Judicious.
The purpose of the assessment is not to place people into boxes, but to increase self-awareness, appreciate differences and help individuals work, relate and lead effectively.
The Benifits
The assessment identifies how individuals naturally prefer to:
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Gain energy and direct their attention.
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Gather and process information.
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Make decisions.
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Organise their work and life.
These preferences influence how people communicate, approach challenges, solve problems and work with others.
By understanding Personality Styles, individuals can recognise their natural strengths, become aware of potential blind spots and develop greater flexibility in responding to different situations.
Teams also benefit because members learn to appreciate and leverage differences rather than being frustrated by them.
Unique Value
There is no best Personality Type. Every type possesses unique strengths, perspectives and contributions.
Some people naturally focus on people and relationships, while others focus on ideas and reflection. Some prefer practical realities and facts, while others see future possibilities and opportunities. Some make decisions through careful analysis, while others give greater consideration to people and values. Some prefer structure and planning, while others thrive through flexibility and adaptability.
The most effective individuals and leaders understand their own personality style, appreciate the strengths of other styles and adapt their approach according to the needs of the situation. Success comes not from changing who we are, but from understanding our natural preferences and using them purposefully.
How is the Personality Type Assessment Distinct?
The Four Personality Types
Psychologists have long recognised that people differ in the way they gain energy, gather information, make decisions and organise their lives. These differences are not about intelligence, competence or capability. Rather, they reflect our natural preferences and the approaches we find most comfortable and effective.
The Personality Type Assessment identifies four Personality Styles. Together, these styles create sixteen distinct Personality Types.
The four Personality Styles are:
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Extrovert (E) and Introvert (I) - how we gain energy and focus our attention.
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Sensible (S) and Novel (N) - how we gather and process information.
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Thorough (T) and Fair (F) - how we make decisions.
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Judicious (J) and Perceptive (P) - how we organise our work and life.
Each person uses all eight styles at different times. However, most people naturally prefer one style over its opposite, creating a unique Personality Type.
Personality Type Dimensions
The Personality Type Assessment measures preferences across four dimensions:
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The energy dimension identifies whether we gain energy primarily from interaction with people and activities, or from reflection and our inner world of thoughts and ideas.
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The information dimension identifies whether we naturally focus on facts and practical realities, or on possibilities, patterns and future opportunities.
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The decision dimension identifies whether we prefer careful analysis and objective thinking, or consideration of values, people and human impact.
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The lifestyle dimension identifies whether we prefer structure, planning and closure, or flexibility, adaptability and keeping options open.
Understanding these preferences helps individuals recognise their strengths, appreciate differences and improve their effectiveness when working with others.
The Assessment Methodology
The Purposeful Leadership Personality Type Assessment belongs to the category of Personality Type Assessments. It helps individuals understand how they naturally gain energy, gather information, make decisions and organise their life and work. By identifying a person's Personality Type and the Personality Styles that form it, the assessment improves self-awareness, communication, teamwork and leadership effectiveness.
There are many types of assessments designed to help individuals understand themselves and develop their potential. These include Cognitive Assessments, Affective Assessments, Behavioural Assessments, Conative Assessments, and Personality Type Assessments, each providing a different perspective on human capability and behaviour.
Within the Purposeful Leadership suite, the EQ-IQ Dynamic Assessment and Locus of Control Assessment belong primarily to the Affective Assessment category. The Interaction Personality Assessment belongs primarily to the Behavioural Assessment category. The Natural Abilities Assessment belongs primarily to the Conative Assessment category. The Personality Type Assessment belongs to the Personality Type Assessment category. Together, these assessments provide a holistic understanding of human potential and leadership effectiveness.
The Four Personality Style Dimensions
Benefits of Knowing Personality Types
Personality Type is built on four Personality Style dimensions that influence how we gain energy, gather information, make decisions and organise our lives. Each person has a preference in each dimension, and the combination of these preferences creates one of sixteen Personality Types.
Understanding these dimensions helps us appreciate why people approach situations differently and how these differences can become strengths when recognised and valued.
Personality Style Dimension #1: Extrovert (E) or Introvert (I)
Extroverts gain energy from interacting with people, activities and the world around them. They often think aloud, enjoy discussion and are energised by social interaction.
Introverts gain energy from reflection, ideas and time to themselves. They often think before speaking, enjoy deeper reflection and are energised by quieter environments.
Personality Style Dimension #2: Sensible (S) or Novel (N)
Sensible individuals focus on facts, practical realities and present circumstances. They value experience, evidence and workable solutions.
Novel individuals focus on possibilities, patterns and future opportunities. They enjoy exploring ideas, innovation and new ways of doing things.
Personality Style Dimension #3: Thorough (T) or Fair (F)
Thorough individuals prefer to make decisions through logic, analysis and objective evaluation. They seek consistency and reason when addressing issues.
Fair individuals prefer to consider people, values and the impact decisions have on others. They seek harmony and fairness while maintaining relationships.
Personality Style Dimension #4: Judicious (J) or Perceptive (P)
Judicious individuals prefer planning, structure and clarity. They like to have matters decided and organised.
Perceptive individuals prefer flexibility, adaptability and openness. They enjoy keeping options available and responding to changing circumstances.
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Knowing Our Personality Type Helps Us Understand Ourselves
Understanding our Personality Type increases self-awareness. It helps us recognise our natural strengths, preferences and potential blind spots. Rather than trying to be someone else, we can leverage our natural tendencies more effectively.
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Knowing Others' Personality Types Helps Us Build Better Relationships
People often approach the same situation differently because they have different personality preferences. Understanding these differences reduces misunderstanding, increases empathy and strengthens personal and professional relationships.
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Knowing Personality Types Improves Communication
Extroverts and Introverts communicate differently. Sensible and Novel individuals process information differently. Thorough and Fair personalities make decisions differently. Understanding these preferences helps us tailor our communication and become more effective in influencing and collaborating with others.
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Knowing Personality Types Strengthens Teamwork
High-performing teams benefit from a mix of personality styles. Different personalities contribute different strengths, perspectives and approaches to problem-solving. Understanding and respecting these differences enables teams to leverage diversity rather than be challenged by it.
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Knowing Personality Types Improves Leadership Effectiveness
Effective leaders adapt their style to the people and situations they encounter. Understanding Personality Types helps leaders engage, develop and support people more effectively while building inclusive and productive cultures.
The Sixteen Personality Types
ISTJ
Introvert • Sensible • Thorough • Judicious.
Quiet, dependable and organised. Focuses on facts, works carefully and follows through on commitments. Likes clear plans, clear goals and practical results.
ISFJ
Introvert • Sensible • Fair • Judicious.
Quiet, caring and responsible. Supports others willingly and pays attention to details. Values harmony, loyalty and meeting commitments.
INTJ
Introvert • Novel • Thorough • Judicious.
Independent, strategic and innovative. Enjoys solving complex problems and turning ideas into reality. Likes working towards long-term goals.
INFJ
Introvert • Novel • Fair • Judicious).
Thoughtful, insightful and purpose-driven. Cares deeply about people and values. Works steadily towards meaningful goals and positive change.
ISTP
Introvert • Sensible • Thorough • Perceptive
Calm, practical and analytical. Enjoys understanding how things work and solving problems. Adapts well to changing situations.
ISFP
Introvert • Sensible • Fair • Perceptive
Gentle, considerate and flexible. Enjoys helping others and living in the present. Prefers harmony and avoids unnecessary conflict.
INFP
Introvert • Novel •
Fair • Perceptive
Creative, idealistic and values-driven. Enjoys exploring ideas and possibilities. Motivated by personal meaning and helping others.
INTP
Introvert • Novel • Thorough • Perceptive
Curious, reflective and logical. Enjoys learning, analysing and exploring ideas. Likes solving challenging problems independently.
ESTP
Extrovert • Sensible • Thorough • Perceptive
Energetic, practical and action-oriented. Enjoys solving problems quickly and responding to challenges. Learns best through experience.
ESFP
Extrovert • Sensible •
Fair • Perceptive)
Friendly, enthusiastic and people-oriented. Enjoys engaging with others and creating positive experiences. Brings energy and optimism to groups.
ENFP
Extrovert • Novel •
Fair • Perceptive
Creative, energetic and inspiring. Enjoys new ideas, new opportunities and meaningful relationships. Motivates others through enthusiasm and encouragement.
ENTP
Extrovert • Novel • Thorough • Perceptive
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Innovative, curious and resourceful. Enjoys exploring possibilities, challenging assumptions and finding creative solutions.
ESTJ
Extrovert • Sensible • Thorough • Judicious
Practical, organised and decisive. Enjoys planning, coordinating and achieving results. Focuses on efficiency and getting things done.
ESFJ
Extrovert • Sensible • Fair • Judicious
Warm, supportive and dependable. Enjoys helping people and creating harmony. Works hard to meet the needs of individuals and groups.
ENFJ
Extrovert • Novel •
Fair • Judicious
Encouraging, responsible and people-focused. Enjoys developing others and building strong relationships. Often inspires people towards a shared purpose.
ENTJ
Extrovert • Novel • Thorough • Judicious
Confident, strategic and goal-oriented. Enjoys leading, organising and driving improvement. Focuses on achieving results and long-term success.
THE Personality Type ASSESSMENT
The Personality Type Assessment helps individuals identify their natural Personality Type and understand the Personality Styles that form it. It is designed to increase self-awareness and improve the way individuals communicate, collaborate, lead and build relationships.
Unlike assessments that measure intelligence, behaviour or natural abilities, this assessment focuses on personality preferences. There are no right or wrong Personality Types, and no personality type is better than another. Each type brings unique strengths, perspectives and contributions.
By understanding our own Personality Type and appreciating the Personality Types of others, we become more effective at working with people, resolving differences, leveraging strengths and creating productive relationships.
How to take the assessment:
The assessment consists of a series of paired statements that explore your natural preferences in how you gain energy, gather information, make decisions and organise your life and work.
For each pair of statements, select the option that best reflects your natural preference. There are no right or wrong answers. The assessment can typically be completed in approximately 10 to 15 minutes.
At the completion of the assessment, you will receive your Personality Type together with insights into your natural strengths, preferences and areas for development by email.
A section of the questionnaire
THE PERSONALITY TYPE REPORT
How to use the report
For Individual Contributors:
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To understand your Personality Type and leverage your strengths more effectively in your work, relationships and leadership.
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To identify situations where your personality preferences help you perform at your best and situations where you may need to consciously adapt your style.
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To improve communication and collaboration by understanding how your preferences differ from those of others.
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To guide personal development by recognising both the strengths and potential blind spots associated with your Personality Type.
For Organizations:
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To improve teamwork by creating a greater understanding and appreciation of the different Personality Types of team members.
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To support leaders in adapting their communication and leadership approaches to suit different employees and stakeholders.
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To improve recruitment, succession planning and talent development by understanding natural personality preferences and their implications.
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To strengthen organisational effectiveness by building teams that leverage the strengths of diverse Personality Types.
How to respond to the assessment results
Your Personality Type reflects your natural preferences, not your abilities, intelligence or potential. There is no best Personality Type and no right or wrong result. Every Personality Type brings valuable strengths, perspectives and contributions.
The purpose of the assessment is not to change who you are, but to help you better understand yourself and others. Effective individuals and leaders recognise their natural preferences while developing the flexibility to adapt when situations require a different approach.
The greatest value of the assessment comes from understanding your strengths, appreciating the strengths of others and learning how different Personality Types can work together to achieve shared goals. Personality differences do not need to create barriers. When understood and respected, they become a source of better relationships, stronger teams and more effective leadership.
The Personality Types Report – Complimentary
We are pleased to offer you the Personality Types Report free of charge.
Given below is a sample of the brief report.
What Inspired the Creation of Purposeful Leadership Assessments?
Dr. Ranjan De Silva, Chief Catalyst of Purposeful Leadership (Pvt) Ltd., critically examined various assessment tools in response to the needs that arose during his leadership development work over the past 25 years and customised and/or developed tools to suit the practical realities of his clients. The development of these assessment tools were also informed by work done by authorities in various fields and strengthened with the academic rigour developed during his doctorate. It helps clients understand conative, cognitive, and affective aspects of leadership to help them reflect and develop themselves and their teams to be be purposeful leaders.
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Further Engagement
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We wish you all success!