Texting; it’s our love language, our group therapy, our method for asking, “What time are we meeting again?” without having to call someone like it’s 1999. It’s also, let’s be honest, a technological miracle for introverts. No small talk. No phone voice. Just the sweet, quiet luxury of replying later.
While autocorrect might level the playing field, personality still sneaks in, right between the perfectly placed period and the third 🐌 in a row.
If you’ve ever wondered why your friend replies with a philosophical essay or a single thumbs-up emoji 👍, it might be more about personality than texting etiquette. Read on to take a peek into the texting inbox of the four Personality Dimensions® and see what they’re really up to behind the screen.
Authentic Blues are probably the reason we have so many heart emojis and exclamation marks in modern texting. But don’t think they’re always gushy; it’s their way of expressing thoughtfulness. They text like they talk, big picture, encouraging, occasionally deep.
They’re the friend who checks in with “Just thinking of you!” and actually means it. If an Authentic Blue sends you a five-part message, it’s because they were in the middle of three ideas and didn’t want to lose any of them. They also think about your emotional state when they send a message, which is why half their texts start with “No pressure, just wondering… 💙”
Authentic Blues use a lot of emojis, so it’s hard to narrow down their favourites, but you’ll definitely see 💙, 🤗 , and 💯 used a lot.
For Inquiring Greens, texting is a bit of a mixed bag. They like clarity, logic, and getting to the point, but they also like understanding things; and that means follow-up questions. …and more follow-up questions. Sometimes their texts feel more like an interview than casual conversation. But it’s not an interrogation, it’s genuine interest. Why wouldn’t they want to know the why behind your grocery run or your vague reference to “stuff going on”?
They text in complete thoughts, often complete paragraphs. If they send “lol,” they either didn’t laugh or they’re being sarcastic. You’ll know which. Inquiring Greens reply when they’ve created a well-thought-out answer. Which sometimes means a day later. Or three. It’s not ghosting, it’s just… buffering.
Inquiring Greens don’t use a lot of emojis; 🤔 and❓are popular, but do expect getting links that help show what they’re talking about, or things they think you’ll enjoy.
Organized Golds are efficient, but don’t mistake that for cold. Their texts are polite, timely, and useful. They’re the ones who actually read your entire message before replying and double-check their calendar before saying yes to plans.
They also have the amazing ability to reply right when you start wondering if they saw your message. Of course, they did; they’ve got read receipts turned on. Organized Golds might use more punctuation than you’d expect in a text message, but it’s not about being formal, it’s about being clear, and not letting any details get missed.
Their favourite emojis of Organized Golds include: ✅, 📅, 👍. Perfect representations of what is most important to them.
Resourceful Oranges see texting as both communication and opportunity. When they message you, it usually means they’ve got an idea brewing. They keep things light and adaptable; they’re that friend who finds solutions before you’ve even finished explaining the problem. Need a quick decision, backup plan, or someone who cuts through complexity? They’ve got you covered.
They have lightning-fast thumbs in group chats, so don’t expect long text conversations, or the best punctuation. They’re all about brief, friendly messages that get to the point. Resourceful Oranges either respond right away, while in the middle of doing something, or randomly three days later with a casual “my bad.” Their texts are useful and entertaining, keeping conversations moving without getting stuck on details. Their energy jumps off the screen, often with topic changes, GIFs, voice notes, and spontaneous plans that require you to drop everything and head out right now.
Resourceful Oranges will sometimes reply to messages with emojis only, with things like: 🔥, 🙌, and ⚡. Quick ways to show enthusiasm without slowing down, and will throw in a 😎 when they’ve just pulled off something clever on the fly.
Next time your phone buzzes, consider the personality behind those message bubbles; whether they arrive in Android’s dignified green or that pretentious Apple blue that screams “I paid too much for this phone.” From emoji-filled check-ins to punctual responses, spontaneous solutions to thoughtful paragraphs, our texting styles reflect who we are. Do these patterns sound familiar? Does your texting persona match your Personality Dimensions®, or are you marching to the beat of your own keyboard? Which texting style speaks to you the most, or do your thumbs have a personality all their own?!?!
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 Professionals of Ontario.
