The Man in the Mirror – Part 1

We often heard remarks like “He is so like his father” or “He is what he is today due to his family upbringing”. Are our behavior, thoughts, feelings, values shaped by our parents? Is the difference between each of us lies in our personality? What makes each of us unique from one another? Briefly, personality is made up the characteristic patterns of thoughts, feelings, and behaviors that make a person unique. In addition to this, personality arises from within the individual and remains fairly consistent throughout life. (source – Pyschology.about.com)

So, how do our thoughts, feelings and actions affect our work or career choice? Many of us are not aware that the type of job we do, its roles and responsibilities have a lot to do with our personality. Some people got stuck in their career and failed to see the recurring pattern in their past jobs. If we track back to the reasons some of us had left our previous employers, the answer could be devastating. Why were you not happy then? What really trigger you to leave? Was salary the main reason? Research shows many leave the organization because of bad managers. Not able to get along with your managers, colleagues over a prolong period of time is not only stressful but a career buster as well! Blaming others is an easy way out, an emotional escape that says you are not responsible and limit your choice of actions to take.

In today’s fast changing economy, it is crucial that we play a more active role in our career management and be aware how our unique personality has an impact on the type of job we choose. When we understand why people behave the way they do, it helps to minimize conflicts and facilitate communications between each other.

The following personality styles illustrate some of the unconscious motives to their behavior, and indicators showing their regress/progress at work. Some suggestions to the type of jobs best suited for these personality is also highlighted.

Peace to the world
You can easily identify the peacemaker and supportive personality type in your company. Colleagues enjoy hanging out with them as they appear “non-threatening” and avoid conflict at all costs. They tend to be complacent and dislike “rocking the boat” and like the work environment to remain status quo. Even-tempered, soft and friendly, they are attracted to the strong, power-starved and capable managers. They yearn for harmony and stability over their repressed need to be independent, assertive and courage. Because of their accommodating nature, their work performance, though shoddy at times are sometimes overlooked and forgiven by their superior. Some managers tend to have lower expectations and be less hard on them. If you have a Mr. Nice Guy/Gal in your team, it is important to make them aware to avoid daydreaming too much and pay more attention to what’s going on in the company. They could learn to exercise better judgment and realize it is possible to be polite yet firm with the colleagues to get things done. The “mediator” role in this group will find jobs in NGOs, teacher, music, artist, counselor, etc attractive.

The playful puppy
They are the extroverted bunch, party-goers who enjoys new challenges and often volunteer to take on new assignments from their manager. Like a playful puppy, they thrive on meeting new colleagues, take on exciting projects and lead a colorful lifestyle both in and outside work. It helps for them to be aware that spreading themselves too thin; they risk not completing any work properly. Due to their insatiable curiosity and positive outlook of life, their endless bountiful energy must be directed towards productive and meaningful work. Inexperienced manager who adopts such “puppy” may find it challenging to catch up with their agility and thirst for new knowledge/experience. You will find such multi-talented, creative and optimistic people thriving in roles like event management, hospitality, tourism, wedding planner, creative arts, design, music composer, etc.

Lion King
If you have a top producer in the company, you may notice that they possess traits like assertiveness, strong, powerful, territorial, authoritative and competitiveness in them. Rain-makers thrive well in a fast-paced and ever-changing work environment. They enjoyed basking in the limelight and enjoy the control and power they have. They are natural born leader who dares to accept daunting tasks and often surpassed the objectives set by the manager. While their aggressive and resourceful nature may repel certain people, the managers who manage them will need a different strategy to work amicably with them. Like the king of the jungle, the Lion King is not your typical “rules follower” and avoid depending on other people to get things done. Their sense of over-confidence or arrogance may make them hard to work in teams, an area that managers need to watch out for. They excel in sales, management position, strategic planning directors, etc.

The revelation of the above three personality types seeks to provide a foundation of self-understanding, uncover the unconscious self-defeating qualities that prevent us from achieving what we want in our career. More importantly, it identifies the strength that we have so grossly underutilized in a blame and overly critical culture. It is more essential than before to galvanize this magnificent power that lies within us. Be in the moment, be in control.

Getting in touch with your true self must be your first priority- Tom Hopkins


Desmond Chua is a Regional Sales Director of a global consulting firm and has been using the Enneagram effectively in his sales, training and recruitment. He also coach people to resolve their problems in career, relationship, communication, health and fitness. He can be reached at dessiechua@yahoo.com