Personality plays a huge role in shaping how we see the world and interact with others. It helps explain why some people thrive on structure while others crave spontaneity, or why some people are natural peacemakers while others will analyze a situation from every angle. While different personality models give us some really useful information, sometimes that means people will take a little bit of knowledge and run with it, but end up missing out on some important details. We are more complex than a single label, and there are plenty of myths about different personality types that don’t tell the whole story.
Myth: Authentic Blues are always happy and emotionally expressive.
Fact: Authentic Blues can actually struggle with emotional burnout. While they value deep connections, they often put others’ needs before their own, leading to emotional exhaustion.
Did you know? Authentic Blues can be highly competitive, but in a way that focuses on harmony. They don’t want to “win” at the expense of others, but they will fiercely advocate for a cause they believe in.
Myth: Inquiring Greens are always confident in their intelligence.
Truth: Many Inquiring Greens actually struggle with imposter syndrome. Because they value knowledge so highly, they are often their own harshest critics, feeling like they never know “enough” or that there’s always someone smarter than them.
Did you know? Inquiring Greens can be perfectionists, not just in work, but also in personal interests. If they pick up a hobby, they often dive deep, learning everything about it before they even start practicing.
Myth: Organized Golds are rigid rule-followers.
Truth: Organized Golds don’t follow rules for the sake of it, they follow them because they believe structure benefits everyone. If they see a better system, they can actually be quite adaptable, as long as it makes things more efficient.
Did you know? Organized Golds can have a sentimental streak. While they focus on duty and tradition, they often hold onto keepsakes, old letters, or meaningful objects because of the memories they represent.
Myth: Resourceful Oranges are reckless and impulsive.
Fact: While Resourceful Oranges love spontaneity, they can also be incredibly strategic. They often assess risks quickly and take calculated chances, making them seem more impulsive than they actually are.
Did you know? Resourceful Oranges can be very loyal to people and projects they are passionate about. While they dislike routine, they will stick with something if it keeps them engaged and allows for flexibility.
Understanding these myths and lesser-known characteristics helps us see the depth and complexity within each personality type. But not all personality assessments dive this deep. Some only scratch the surface, missing out on the way different aspects of personality interact. Remember, we’re all plaid! No one is just one dimension. The other parts of our personality, and the world around us influence how we express our core personality. When we look beyond the obvious traits, we get a much clearer picture of who we really are. There are just a few highlights of what I hear about; stay tuned for more Mythbusting Personality in the future.
Brad Whitehorn – BA, CCDP is a lifelong Introvert, and the Associate Director at CLSR Inc. He was thrown into the career development field headfirst after completing a Communications degree in 2005, and hasn’t looked back! Since then, Brad has worked on the development, implementation and certification for various career and personality assessments (including Personality Dimensions®), making sure that Career Development Practitioners and HR Professionals get the right tools to do their best work. Brad is also on the board of directors for the Career Professionals of Canada, and an advisory committee member with the Career Development Practitioners’s Certification Board of Ontario.
