Set Up Your Office Based On Your Myers-Briggs Personality Type
With searches up 190%, we’re clearly curious about our personality types. Ebuyer enlisted Myers-Briggs Personality Type Indicator (MBTI) Practitioner Shauna Skinner to figure out – and visualise – the best office setups based on your personality type, and here’s a sample
Do you feel optimum productivity under the sound of silence, whilst a co-worker thrives with the pulsating beats of the office playlist? Maybe the vibrant #positivevibes prints on your colleague’s home office throw you off on Teams calls? There could be a reason for this – and it likely comes down to your personality type.
A good fit
Within the Procurement function, some jobs are better suited to the mild-mannered analytical worker, while some are better suited to candidates with an outgoing and expressive personality. Accordingly, employers are becoming increasingly interested in Myers-Briggs personality types to make sure they don’t “mis-cast” a role.
“Australian employers generally value personality and culture fit more than technical skills when it comes to hiring Procurement pros,” says Tony Megally, Director – Partnerships of Australia’s leading specialist Procurement recruitment firm, The Source Recruitment. “We know someone with extensive years of Procurement experience is technically capable; they can do the job; But are they the right fit for the job, the company and team? What about stakeholders? suppliers? Will they fit in?”
“So, it makes sense why many hiring managers consider appropriate personality types when hiring,” he continues. “However, given we’re all trying to hire unicorns in a tight labour market, we need to become bolder in our hiring decisions. It’s great for diversity, inclusion, innovation, productivity and more. If someone is not ticking all the boxes on the wish list but they’re right for the job, then my advice right now is to go for it!”
Natural Habitat
The design of the average office space is changing with the times. “Now that most of us are working hybrid ways, and in open and collaborative office spaces, it’s easier for people to find a workspace that works best for them,” Tony points out. So while organisations may not be customising individual spaces for individual personality types, the setup is markedly more flexible – something of a blank canvas.
With this in mind, Ebuyer enlisted the help of Myers-Briggs Personality Type Indicator (MBTI) practitioner Shauna Skinner. Using the MBTI methodology, they’ve revealed the best office-set up to complement each of the 16 personality types from Sensor Introverted (ISTJ / ISFJ) to Feeler Extroverted (ESFJ / ENFJ).
Plus, if you’re looking for some #deskinspo, Ebuyer has also visualised office set-ups based on the eight dominant preferences, which account for all 16 personalities.
So, look no further if you’re looking to inject some science-based design ideas into your office-set up. Below, are office visualisations for the three most common personality types, but you can see the full list over at the Ebuyer blog.
Sensor Introverted (ISTJ / ISFJ)
Sensor Introverted (ISTJ/ISFJ) personality types are the people in the population that look inwards, guided by current realities and circumstances. As people who are often very sensitive to their environment, for ISTJ/ISFJ types, it’s all about calm minimalism to boost productivity.
Keeping a clean desk with minimal objects is key to minimising distractions. Colours should also be kept muted and earthy, to allow ISTJ/ISFJ to really be at one with their inner selves.
External stimuli can be extremely distracting for these personality types, so, when it comes to lighting and noise, their office should be as muted as possible. For lighting, an ITSJ/ISFJ’s office should be filled with as much warm and natural light as possible, whereas the sound of silence is preferable to music systems and TVs.
Feeler Extroverted (ESFJ / ENFJ)
Feeler extroverted (ESFJ/ENFJ) are the social butterflies of the 16 personality types. They thrive in social environments and are spurred by the buzz of the office. However, when it comes to their desks, they like to be clean and organised with minimal clutter.
For feeler extroverted personality types, workspaces should be organised, decorated with plants, storage supplies, and inspirational quotes to bring the #postitivevibes. Vibrant colours, natural light, upbeat music, and hanging plants are a must for boosting creativity.
Make use of that extra corner space and create a lounge area with comfy seating and plenty of chill space. Use it to grab a cuppa’ with your housemate or partner, or even to catch up with four-legged friends!
Intuitive Extroverted (ENTP / ENFP)
Quirky, adventurous, and fun are just a few of the words often used to describe intuitive extroverts (ENTP/ENFP). Offices for these personality types should be used as a canvas for self-expression – unique, eccentric, and always abstract.
Think quirky ornaments, vibrant colours, funky print and lamps and light which shine through with personality – this could be a Victorian chandelier or a modern tripod lamp.
Lastly, no ENTP/ENFP office would be complete without an eclectic playlist of varied music, a liquid whiteboard for a wall, a TV, and a bird or two as an office companion.
Commenting on the research, Courtney Williamson, Ebuyer Marketing Manager, said: “While everybody works in their own unique way, it’s important to factor in that personality traits can have a big influence on the way we work too. As we spend a lot of time at our desks it makes sense to tailor working conditions to complement you psychologically.
“As many industries have moved to hybrid working, if you’re struggling with motivation, altering your desk type to complement your personality type can be great for that extra boost. Even if you work from the company office, you can incorporate features such as house plants into your desk in-house.”
Check out the full breakdown and designs for all 8 personality types here!
Ebuyer is the UK’s largest independent electrical retailer. This blog is reproduced with kind permission. You can take their Myers-Briggs personality test here.
