Editor’s note: This article was first published in August 2015, and its survey figures, including 25,759 respondents and the income levels cited, are from the 2015 Truity study.
In today’s complex world of work, it’s important to know as much as possible about yourself and your strengths, and that includes your personality type.
A recent study by Truity, reported by Mashable, looks at the 16 personality types in the workplace and suggests that if you haven’t explored your personality type yet, you may be missing key information that could help you reach your full potential.
The researchers surveyed 25,759 people about their career success, income, happiness at work and the roles they held in their companies, in order to find out how personality type shapes career development.
When they looked at the results, they found strong evidence that certain personality types earn more, are more likely to lead large teams and feel more satisfied with their work.
These results suggest that understanding how your personality type shapes your working life can give you useful insight into your earning potential, your career path and your happiness at work.
See also: 6 HR mistakes that can cost you your best employees
Here are some of the study’s highlights.
1. Thinking-judging (TJ) types earn more than other types, especially if they’re extraverts
Thinking-judging (TJ) personality types take the top four spots for average annual income. On average, TJs earn between $52,000 and $77,000. Extraverted TJs earn almost $20,000 more. When the data are split by gender, TJ women had an average income of $80,000, and TJ men earned a whopping $95,000.
So why do these personality types earn more?
The people behind the study suggest it’s a combination of factors. TJ types may be more competitive and more driven by money, which leads them to choose careers with high earning potential. On the other side of the equation, employers looking to fill high-paying leadership positions often seek out candidates with these personality traits.
Most organisations hope to hire leaders with a strong sense of organisation, the ability to plan strategically and the skills needed to manage a team. Extraverted TJs tend to be strong in these areas, which suggests they’re more likely to be recognised as candidates with leadership potential.
2. Extraverts manage bigger teams, especially if they’re TJs
Extraverts manage larger teams than introverts, according to the study’s data. On average, extraverts manage 4.5 employees, while introverts manage only 2.8.
When we look at which personality types manage the most employees, extraverted and introverted TJs come out on top. This supports the idea that extraverts and TJs often earn more because they’re more likely to move up in the company.
3. Despite earning more and managing more people, TJs aren’t the happiest at work
The study found that TJs aren’t the ones who feel the most satisfied at work. You might assume that more money and more responsibility would lead to greater happiness, but the study’s data show that this isn’t the case.
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According to the people behind the study, “Thinkers” earn more because they prioritise individual success and are often driven by income and other forms of recognition at work. That’s what helps them reach the top of companies, but the rewards of money and power can’t provide a deep sense of satisfaction at work.
The study also discusses “Feelers”, a personality type that, by contrast, looks for positions and organisations that reflect their personal values. They’re motivated by how their work makes them feel, not by what it offers financially, and they aren’t so interested in stepping on others to climb to the top.
Feelers probably spend less time chasing bonuses and promotions and instead get satisfaction simply from doing meaningful work. That leads to a deeper sense of purpose and more happiness at work, even though they lack career ambition.
Further reading
- 16 simple habits that make you look more professional
- How to slowly destroy your career and your professional reputation
Featured image: Eric E Castro, CC BY 2.0, via Flickr.
