Knowing the personalities of team members can be an important aspect of how to have productive team meetings. Those with differing personalities may behave and communicate differently depending on the type of meeting they attend. Part of working in an office means you will work with all types of different people. Knowing each personality type of the people attending a meeting, and how they communicate and contribute to the team will be helpful in achieving goals during meetings, and will help to improve meeting culture in your organization. At yoyomeeting, our Microsoft meeting minutes software is designed to make meetings with team members with different personalities easier.
How Different Personality Types Work Together During Business Meetings
How team building activities help with communication & problem-solving with team members that have differing personalities.
Naturally, people who have different personalities work differently: they communicate differently, and approach problem-solving in different ways, and hold different values in life.
Accepting and acknowledging different personalities is an important step to better team communicating during meetings.
Team-Building Experts, on Working Together With Different Personalities
We asked Solomon Masala of Source Consulting Group and Datis Mohsenipour of Outback Team Building & Training to weigh in on team building, and its role in working with team members with different personalities in the corporate world.
Datis Mohsenipour,
Outback Team Building & Training
Datis: “Every team is a collection of unique individuals. On one hand, that diversity can be the team’s biggest asset. But on the other hand, it can also present unique challenges when it comes to building strong communication, problem-solving, and collaboration among team members with different personalities. Team building is an extremely effective way to do this, for one simple reason: it strives to find the sweet spot between balancing the needs of individual team members, the needs of the team, and the needs of the organization in order to bring people together. It teaches employees to work collaboratively for a common goal and encourages them to celebrate that shared success. Team building helps people get to know each other and get comfortable collaborating during business meetings through a shared experience that is light-hearted, fun, and engaging.”
Datis Mohsenipour, Outback Team Building
Solomon Masala,
Solomon: In the work world, you typically don’t get to choose who is on your team. You get hired, and bam, there’s your team! It’s going to be mix of personalities, styles and perspectives. To rock it as a team player, and to grow as a leader requires building the skills to effectively communicate with a group of diverse personalities. This is particularly critical for problem solving: getting everyone on the same page for collaborating towards solutions. If you cannot communicate effectively, you can’t problem solve effectively.
Winning sports teams must practice to be good in the game.
Business team must do the same thing – and that’s what the right team building activity does. It provides team development experiences where the required skills for problem solving get built and practiced for business meetings.Solomon Masala, Source Consulting Group
It gives teams members practice with 4 necessary skills:
1. Communicate in a complete, clear way – it builds ‘shared mental models.’
2. Communicate in a credible way – that builds trust and social capital.
3. Communicate in an inclusive way – that aligns and invites diverse perspectives.
4. Communicate in a respectful way – that demonstrates mutual purpose.
Most Common Personality Types:
The Myers-Briggs test is great for understanding the types of people and how they communicate. Here are some of the most common Myers-Briggs personalities that you will encounter in the corporate world:
Here are the most common Myers-Briggs personality types you’ll find in corporate business meetings:
Personality #1: “The Inspector” (ISTJ)
ISTJ indicates a person who is energized by time spent alone (Introverted), who focuses on facts and details rather than ideas and concepts (Sensing), who makes decisions based on logic and reason (Thinking), and who prefers to be planned and organized rather than spontaneous and flexible (Judging).
Personality Traits for ISTJ:
- Detail-oriented
- Pragmatic
- Steady
- Logical
Common Jobs for ITSJ: Accountant, Auditor, Financial Analyst, financial advisor, Compensation, Benefits, or Job Analysis Specialist Cost Estimator
Communication Style: for ITSJ “Inspectors” are task-oriented, productive team members, that tend to do things “by the book”. They prefer a structured team environment with a clear set of rules. They tend to work systematically and examine the details of work very closely. They are not interested in abstract concepts or discussing emotions or relationships.
Personality #2: “The Craftsman” (ISTP)
Personality Traits for ISTP:
- Adventurous
- Analytical
- Autonomous
- Observant
Common Jobs for ISTP: budget analyst, financial manager, office manager, software developer, systems administrator, Software tester
Communication Style for ISTP: “Craftsmen” typically direct their focus on problems at hand rather than team members involved. They are known to take action when they feel it’s needed. They don’t have much patience for abstract discussion, and may sometimes neglect the fact that they are subjected to work with others.
Personality #3: “The Supervisor” (ESTJ)
Personality Traits for ESTJ:
- Organized
- Efficient
- Detail Oriented
Common Jobs for ESTJ: project manager, budget analyst, sales manager, office manager, management consultant
Communication Style for ESTJ:: “Supervisors” are known to take charge. They are very decisive with their actions and prefer not to share feedback in an honest and straightforward manner. They are hard workers and hold their team members to a similar standard.
Personality #4: “The Protector” (ISFJ)
Personality Traits for ISFJ:
- Considerate
- Practical
- Committed
- Team-Players
- Conscientious
Common Jobs for ISFJ:: Financial advisor, meeting planner, tax examiner, compensation & benefits specialist, HR specialist
Communication Style for ISFJ: In a meeting setting, “protectors” tend to assume the role of note-taking rather. They will be quick to help other team members to get tasks done. They are sensitive and prefer to not engage in conflict. Protectors are known to be very rule-based and may get upset at other team members that break the rules.
Personality #5: “The Champion” (ENFP)
Personality Traits for ENFP:
- Supportive
- Positive
- Flexible
- Witty
- Humorous
Common Jobs for ENFP:: Graphic Designer, Art Director, Branding Consultant, Author,
Communication Style for ENFP: “Champions” will bring enthusiasm to business meetings. They like to stay involved in conversations, as they enjoy hearing other’s ideas. They are open-minded, outside-the-box thinkers that will try to get others to think creatively too. Champions put an emphasis on relationships rather than being detail-oriented.
Personality #6: “The Composer” (ISFP)
Personality Traits for ISFP:
- Loyal
- Value-oriented
- Inquisitive
- Unassuming
- Free-spirited
Common Jobs for ISFP: Graphic designer, Bookkeeper
Communication Style for ISFP: In business meetings, “composers” will typically assume the role of “listener”. Naturally cooperative, they tend to assist and accommodate other team members and are ready to step in to provide support when the situation calls for it. They can become frustrated when other group members are too domineering.
Personality #7: “The Healer” (INFP)
Personality Traits for INFP:
- Idealistic
- Compassionate
- Creative
- Sensitive
- Non-judgemental
Common Jobs for INFP: Graphic designer, Video Editor, Writer, Human Resources
Communication Style for INFP: “Healers” listen openly to viewpoints and excel at creatively integrating the ideas of other team members. They are purpose-driven and want to completely understand a team purpose on a project. Healers will consider all alternatives to problems. They may be alienated by teams that are too action-oriented.
Personality #8: “The Dynamo” (ESTP)
Personality Traits for ESTP:
- Action-oriented
- Spontaneous
- Problem-solving
- Risk-taking
Common Jobs for ESTP: Sale Manager, Budget Analyst, Cost Estimator, Financial Planner
Communication Style for ESTP: “Dynamos” are persuasive and energetic, ready to encourage other team members to take action on practical problems. They will keep their group interactions light and casual, which can stir conflict with those approaching meetings in a more serious manner. They are eager to take charge in times of crisis.
Personality #9: “The Performer” (ESFP)
Personality Traits for ESFP:
- Outgoing
- Charismatic
- Friendly
- Fun
Common Jobs for ESFP: Public Relations, Event Coordinator, Retail Manager
Communication Style for ESFP: “Performers” are the team members that want to be in the middle of a conversation. They are hands-on and tuned into the needs of other team members. At the same time, they are fun-loving, and approach meetings as a way to interact with other team members in a light-hearted way, which can create conflict among those who are more task-oriented.
Personality #10: “The Architect” (INTP)
Personality Traits for INTP:
- Quiet
- Reflective
- Objective
- Deeply Analytical
- Skeptical
Common Jobs for INTP: Software engineer, programmer, Market Research Analyst, Multimedia Artist, or Animator
Communication Style for INTP: “Architects” strive to understand complex problems on a deeper level than their peers. They are independent thinkers and are known for coming up with innovative ideas to help reach team goals, but they will need the space to approach and analyze problems their way. They’re not one for small talk and may get irritated at those who tend to approach meetings with more of a personal touch.
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