Source of Image: the Internet – Enneagram types of Personalities

The Enneagram personality system delineates nine distinct types of personality traits. This New Year publication will primarily concentrate on methods for discerning human personality traits through observations of behaviours, signals, and characteristics. Further elucidation on this topic will ensue. 

Here are the nine common personality types in the Enneagram system:

1. The Perfectionist: Rationalistic, principled, and purposeful.
2. The Helper: Caring, interpersonal, demonstrative, and generous.
3. The Achiever: Success-oriented, adaptive, excelling and driven.
4. The Individualist: Expressive, dramatic, self-absorbed, and temperamental.
5. The Investigator: Intense cerebral, perceptive, and innovative.
6. The Loyalist: Committed, engaging, responsible, and anxious.
7. The Enthusiast: Spontaneous, versatile, acquisitive, and scattered.
8. Challenger: Self-confident, decisive, wilful, and confrontational.
9. The Peacemaker: Reassuring, complacent, and resigned.

Identifying Human Personality Traits

Personality and character are the typical attitudinal expressions of each individual. While character is honed during the developmental process, a person’s traits are their natural and usual manners of conduct, which, with a bit of perceptiveness, can be easily recognised.

• Punctuality: A proactive individual will always know how to manage their time and be punctual for all appointments. This is an indication of a dynamic, organised person who understands the value of time. In contrast, those who are frequently late demonstrate a lack of responsibility and respect for others.
• Handshake: A firm handshake conveys confidence, strength, and an extroverted personality, with a sense of self-control. On the other hand, a weak handshake may reflect a lack of confidence and a desire to avoid.
• Smiling and expressing emotions: A sincere smile will produce wrinkles around the eyes and mouth corners. If you only see wrinkles at the corners of the mouth when someone smiles, it suggests the person might be forcing the smile.
• Eye contact: If someone tends to avoid meeting your gaze, focusing elsewhere, it can indicate an introverted, contemplative personality. Conversely, a confident, extroverted person will often look directly at you.
• Nail biting, lip licking: Frequent nail-biting or lip-licking signifies that the person is quite tense and anxious.
• Frequency of checking phone: If someone often checks their phone, mail, messages, et cetera, it may indicate that they are bored with the conversation or waiting for something else.
• Leg shaking habit: Those who often shake their legs tend to be more self-centred. They show little regard for others around them, prioritising their personal interests.
• How they take selfies: A person with a free-spirited, optimistic, and positive personality will not hesitate to take pictures in front of a crowd. In contrast, cautious individuals who overthink might find it difficult to take natural photos in public.
• Crossing arms over chest, hugging shoulders: Crossing arms in front of the chest indicates a defensive posture. Such a person may have a high ego, be cold, and not open to others. At the same time, hugging their shoulders suggests they are quite conservative, rigid, and very unlikely to change their opinions.
• Behaviour at the dining table: Someone who cuts their food into many small pieces is likely a planner and values long-term relationships. A person who eats many different foods at once may have a strong, individualistic personality. If someone eats quickly, it shows they are cautious and always calculate carefully before acting. In contrast, a slow eater knows how to enjoy the present moment and live life to the fullest. Personality can be discerned through gestures, actions, and preferences.
• Drinking habits: If a person solely focuses on their drink, it reveals meticulousness, caution, and concentration without being dreamy. Those who often look above their glass while drinking may be easily influenced by others.
• Handwriting: Those who apply much force when writing, with bold letters, are usually very confident, and can even be somewhat obstinate. Large, decisive handwriting denotes a generous lifestyle, whereas small, tight script suggests an introverted existence.
• Musical preferences: Rock music enthusiasts typically live openly, robustly, and are adaptable. Those who enjoy upbeat, lively music have extroverted personalities, while introverts often prefer listening to ballads.
• Favourite colours: Individuals fond of bright colours (red, orange, yellow, et cetera) tend to crave perfection and have confidence. Those with a strong personality may lean towards wearing black or white, or mixing eye-catching clothing ensembles.

How do personality traits influence career choices?

Personality traits play a significant role in determining one’s career path. Knowing your personality type can help you identify the careers that best suit you. For example, creative individuals are best suited for jobs in design, marketing, and content creation. Those with attention to detail and organisational skills are well-suited for careers in software development, accounting, and financial analysis. Persons with strong analytical and problem-solving skills are well-suited for careers in engineering, architecture, and consulting.

The impact of personality traits on career choices varies depending on the occupation. For instance, outgoing and social individuals are best suited for careers in sales, marketing, and customer service, while introverts are better suited for careers that involve less interaction with clients, such as writing, programming, or research. Those who are adaptable and have a flexible mindset are well-suited for careers in fields such as human resources, training and development, and project management.

It is essential to understand your personality traits to make informed career choices. By identifying your strengths and weaknesses, you can determine the careers that align with your abilities and interests. Additionally, understanding personality traits can help you avoid choosing a career that does not suit you, which can lead to disappointment and dissatisfaction in the long run.

Source of Image: the Internet – the Personality types

In conclusion, understanding your personality traits can help you make informed career choices that align with your strengths, interests, and goals. By knowing your personality type, you can identify the careers that are best suited for you and make informed decisions about your future.

By VINH PHAN, Practice Leader of Executive Search & Board Services

NB Asia is a highly experienced and strategic human resources consulting firm that specialises in providing an extensive range of executive placement, board services, organisational structure, and people solutions to business partners throughout Asia. We are privileged to have the opportunity to work with many great companies in various industries across Asia. Don’t forget to follow NB Asia’s social media pages across multiple platforms (Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn) to update on good knowledge and beautiful life information, and let’s work together to bring a better life to everyone!

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