MEPX
Chapter 10 of 10All chapters
  1. 1What personality means
  2. 2The five factor model
  3. 3Type tests
  4. 4Stability and change
  5. 5Where it goes wrong
  6. 6Introversion and extraversion
  7. 7The darker traits
  8. 8Measuring personality
  9. 9Culture and context
  10. 10Using it sensibly

Chapter 10 of 10

Using it sensibly

What it is good for.

Reasonable uses

Self-reflection, understanding differences in a team, and research. It offers vocabulary for a real difference between people, which is useful when held loosely.

  • Discuss preferences and working styles directly rather than through a test.
  • Be sceptical of any workshop that assigns you a fixed label.

The honest summary

Five broad dimensions, measured imperfectly, predicting outcomes modestly, changing slowly. Everything sold beyond that claim is doing more than the evidence allows.