Personality & Remote Work

Personality & Remote Work During the Uncertainty of COVID-19

The 12 Personalities

Using the 6 dimensions of HEXACO, we can learn about ourselves & our team members to work better together through uncertainty & isolation.

Below is a color coding for the 12 personality types:

Green indicates strengths employers should optimize during remote work.

Yellow indicates opportunities to turn into strengths with appropriate support & training.

Red suggests threats that should be minimized when possible or should be the target for consistent intervention.

The Humanitarian

Sincere, Loyal, Fair-minded

A helper who will do their best to give their assistance to others during times of uncertainty.

Social Distance

High Stress

The chronic stress we all face from covid-19 will likely be a new experience for this person.

As such it will be crucial that the company provides them with factual information about covid-19 and the actionable steps they can take to protect themselves and their family.

Tips for stress management including mindfulness and exercise will also help them maintain the resources needed to stay focused on work.

Self-motivation

This person brings with them both the desire and the approach to succeed at remote work.

Their internal drive for success combined with a cognitive style that is suited for leadership suggests they will thrive in a setting where they are working independently.

Of course, everyone needs logistical support and personal gratification to fully succeed at work so continue to create an atmosphere where the person knows they are valued.

Teamwork

The Marketer

Daring, Proud, Opportunistic

A determined person well prepared for their own safety & willing to help others when it helps seal a deal.

Social Distance

High Stress

This person has a personality that is amazingly resilient to stress.

It’s not that they don’t experience the emotions associated with stress, rather they can regulate their emotions & stay focused on the task.

Many of these people also enjoy being a source of strength & perspective for others although that should not be presumed.

Check with the person to see if/how they want to engage with others who may appreciate their perspective & also make sure to check in on their stress levels as well.

Self-motivation

Teamwork

This person tends to be somewhat ambivalent about working in teams.

Some consider themselves to be more of a creative, idea person who may be constrained by others & others just prefer to work solo.

Regardless, they are highly invested in succeeding in their work and will be motivated to do what is takes to succeed in remote work.

Providing clear definitions of what team success looks like along with the expectations for their contributions will set the stage for success.

Needless to say, occasional rewards/praise for meeting expectations is always a good thing.

The Heartbeat

Sentimental, Emotional, Sensitive

Don’t let the emotions keep you from seeing the complex person underneath.

Social Distance

High Stress

The unknowns we all face with covid-19 will be especially troublesome for this person.

Providing them with factual information about covid-19 & the actionable steps they can take to protect themselves & their family will be very helpful.

Make sure the company also has someone available to the person for times of emotional support & stress management training.

They will also be highly susceptible to financial stress so any extra support in this area will go a long way in helping them be able to focus on work.

Self-motivation

Teamwork

The Sounding Board

Independent, Fearless, Self-assured

A born mediator who can always be counted on for a reasoned response.

Social Distance

High Stress

This person has a personality that is amazingly resilient to stress.

It’s not that they don’t experience the emotions associated with stress, rather they can regulate their emotions & stay focused on the task.

Many of these people also enjoy being a source of strength & perspective for others although that should not be presumed.

Check with the person to see if/how they want to engage with others who may appreciate their perspective & also make sure to check in on their stress levels as well.

Self-motivation

Teamwork

The Spokesperson

Lively, Sociable, Confident

A people person who thrives in the spotlight.

Social Distance

High Stress

This person has a personality that is amazingly resilient to stress.

It’s not that they don’t experience the emotions associated with stress, rather they can regulate their emotions & stay focused on the task.

Many of these people also enjoy being a source of strength & perspective for others although that should not be presumed.

Check with the person to see if/how they want to engage with others who may appreciate their perspective & also make sure to check in on their stress levels as well.

Self-motivation

This person brings with them both the desire and the approach to succeed at remote work.

Their internal drive for success combined with a cognitive style that is suited for leadership suggests they will thrive in a setting where they are working independently.

Of course, everyone needs logistical support and personal gratification to fully succeed at work so continue to create an atmosphere where the person knows they are valued.

Teamwork

The Observer

Reserved, Quiet, Thoughtful

A quiet exterior with lots of internal activity.

Social Distance

High Stress

The chronic stress we all face from covid-19 will likely be a new experience for this person.

As such it will be crucial that the company provides them with factual information about covid-19 and the actionable steps they can take to protect themselves and their family.

Tips for stress management including mindfulness and exercise will also help them maintain the resources needed to stay focused on work.

Self-motivation

This person brings with them both the desire and the approach to succeed at remote work.

Their internal drive for success combined with a cognitive style that is suited for leadership suggests they will thrive in a setting where they are working independently.

Of course, everyone needs logistical support and personal gratification to fully succeed at work so continue to create an atmosphere where the person knows they are valued.

Teamwork

Teamwork does not come naturally for this person.

They are typically more comfortable working independently & others may even find them to be critical or aloof.

But what these people need to know is that their unique approaches are in fact a major component of most successful groups.

Online teams provide an opportunity for people to observe how they impact outcomes without the level of emotional engagement of in-person teams.

This provides a unique opportunity for managers to highlight the situations where the person’s questioning style advances the team & work to place them in similar situations in the future.

The Nurturer

Patient, Pleasant, Forgiving

Helping others succeed is this nurturer’s superpower.

Social Distance

High Stress

The chronic stress we all face from covid-19 will likely be a new experience for this person.

As such it will be crucial that the company provides them with factual information about covid-19 and the actionable steps they can take to protect themselves and their family.

Tips for stress management including mindfulness and exercise will also help them maintain the resources needed to stay focused on work.

Self-motivation

Teamwork

The Debater

Passionate, Direct, Relentless

A maverick who is contentious at times & always analytical.

Social Distance

High Stress

This person has a personality that is amazingly resilient to stress.

It’s not that they don’t experience the emotions associated with stress, rather they can regulate their emotions & stay focused on the task.

Many of these people also enjoy being a source of strength & perspective for others although that should not be presumed.

Check with the person to see if/how they want to engage with others who may appreciate their perspective & also make sure to check in on their stress levels as well.

Self-motivation

Teamwork

Teamwork does not come naturally for this person.

They are typically more comfortable working independently & others may even find them to be critical or aloof.

But what these people need to know is that their unique approaches are in fact a major component of most successful groups.

Online teams provide an opportunity for people to observe how they impact outcomes without the level of emotional engagement of in-person teams.

This provides a unique opportunity for managers to highlight the situations where the person’s questioning style advances the team & work to place them in similar situations in the future.

The Organizer

Organized, Thorough, Self-disciplined

A careful planner who will remain organized, strategic & focused.

Social Distance

High Stress

This person has a personality that is amazingly resilient to stress.

It’s not that they don’t experience the emotions associated with stress, rather they can regulate their emotions & stay focused on the task.

Many of these people also enjoy being a source of strength & perspective for others although that should not be presumed.

Check with the person to see if/how they want to engage with others who may appreciate their perspective & also make sure to check in on their stress levels as well.

Self-motivation

This person brings with them both the desire and the approach to succeed at remote work.

Their internal drive for success combined with a cognitive style that is suited for leadership suggests they will thrive in a setting where they are working independently.

Of course, everyone needs logistical support and personal gratification to fully succeed at work so continue to create an atmosphere where the person knows they are valued.

Teamwork

The Dreamer

Relaxed, Spontaneous, Easygoing

Marches to their own drum & occasionally is fine with just listening to the drums.

Social Distance

High Stress

This person has a personality that is amazingly resilient to stress.

It’s not that they don’t experience the emotions associated with stress, rather they can regulate their emotions & stay focused on the task.

Many of these people also enjoy being a source of strength & perspective for others although that should not be presumed.

Check with the person to see if/how they want to engage with others who may appreciate their perspective & also make sure to check in on their stress levels as well.

Self-motivation

This person is not the organized, strategic type & as such typically does better in a work setting that provides structure & immediate feedback.

Provided the company invests the time & resources needed to implement these, employees can receive structure & immediate feedback while working remotely.

Using list applications like Trello can provide both the structure & feedback this employee needs. But, as always, it is also important that all employees feel positive about the vision & goals of the company so make sure to also stay personally engaged.

The combination of using online tools to enhance structure along with vision-based motivational messages will offer this employee a unique chance for success.

Teamwork

This person tends to be somewhat ambivalent about working in teams.

Some consider themselves to be more of a creative, idea person who may be constrained by others & others just prefer to work solo.

Regardless, they are highly invested in succeeding in their work and will be motivated to do what is takes to succeed in remote work.

Providing clear definitions of what team success looks like along with the expectations for their contributions will set the stage for success.

Needless to say, occasional rewards/praise for meeting expectations is always a good thing.

The Seeker

Innovative, Imaginative, Inquisitive

A wide-eyed innovator in love with their books, ideas & art.

Social Distance

High Stress

The chronic stress we all face from covid-19 will likely be a new experience for this person.

As such it will be crucial that the company provides them with factual information about covid-19 and the actionable steps they can take to protect themselves and their family.

Tips for stress management including mindfulness and exercise will also help them maintain the resources needed to stay focused on work.

Self-motivation

Teamwork

The Preserver

Conventional, Simple, Diehard

A traditionalist finding meaning in conventions & values.

Social Distance

High Stress

This person has a personality that is amazingly resilient to stress.

It’s not that they don’t experience the emotions associated with stress, rather they can regulate their emotions & stay focused on the task.

Many of these people also enjoy being a source of strength & perspective for others although that should not be presumed.

Check with the person to see if/how they want to engage with others who may appreciate their perspective & also make sure to check in on their stress levels as well.

Self-motivation

This person brings with them both the desire and the approach to succeed at remote work.

Their internal drive for success combined with a cognitive style that is suited for leadership suggests they will thrive in a setting where they are working independently.

Of course, everyone needs logistical support and personal gratification to fully succeed at work so continue to create an atmosphere where the person knows they are valued.

Teamwork

This person tends to be somewhat ambivalent about working in teams.

Some consider themselves to be more of a creative, idea person who may be constrained by others & others just prefer to work solo.

Regardless, they are highly invested in succeeding in their work and will be motivated to do what is takes to succeed in remote work.

Providing clear definitions of what team success looks like along with the expectations for their contributions will set the stage for success.

Needless to say, occasional rewards/praise for meeting expectations is always a good thing.

This is our first release of many.

The psyML team is dedicated to releasing additional resources over the upcoming weeks, including an assessment to determine your remote work personality type.

Sign up for updates »

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Learn more about how the personality types were developed

What is HEXACO?

HEXACO is a personality instrument developed in the 2000’s that assesses 6 major dimensions of personality. There are six main dimensions along with their 24 associated sub-dimensions.

The six-dimensional model has been found to be accurate across cultures, ages, and genders. For the first time, it is now possible to quickly and accurately measure any person’s personality and know these core characteristics about them.

HEXACO profiles can give us an objective measure of our personality that we can use to better understand ourselves. Self-understanding and awareness makes the process of growth, living with uncertainty, and finding a productive role in society much more feasible and focused.

It wasn’t until the 1980’s with the introduction of the Five Factor Model (OCEAN of Big 5) of personality that scientists began to reach a consensus, this model was advanced in the 2000’s with what is now universally accepted as the most comprehensive and scientifically valid model of personality developed, termed HEXACO.
What makes up a personality type?

When we look at personality for a population, a lot of information becomes available for study. Since there are 30 different dimensions and sub-dimensions to analyze, there’s a lot someone can learn from diving into where they fall on each of the dimensions.

You may have seen or taken a personality test in the past where you’ve been grouped into a certain personality type or maybe even shown a Disney Princess based on how you answer certain questions.

What’s happening here is that the personalities are being determined by whichever personality trait is the furthest outside of the norm. This is what we call a dominant personality trait.

Now, just because a person has one (or potentially a few) dominant personality trait(s), doesn’t mean they don’t have other personality traits. Everyone is still measured on all 30 dimensions and sub-dimensions, and we can learn something from where we fall on all dimensions.

For example, someone might fall outside of the norm & be high in openness, yet the rest of their dimensions may fall within the norm of the population set, and so they’re considered dominant in high openness.

However, diving deeper, they may find that they’re also very high on sociability, even when their extroversion dimension is within the norm.

Both the dominant personality & additional insight from the rest of the dimensions make up an individual & can teach us how to work within our personality.
What is the psyML Personality Coding System?
Using the scientifically validated HEXACO model of personality to identify each person’s most distinguishing personality trait, we provide individualized suggestions for how employers can minimize the disruptions caused by COVID-19 and tap into the strengths of each person.

This is a high-level overview of the 12 types along with a coding system for four major issues your employees will face in dealing with COVID-19 & the need to work remotely. The areas rated include:
- Social distance is the amount of disruption and stress the person will experience by not having the usual social contacts of the physical work environment.
- High stress provides insight into how the person generally reacts to ongoing stress.
- Self-motivation indicates the degree to which the person will thrive in a situation where they will not have hands-on supervision.
- Teamwork indicates how comfortable the person will be in joining and supporting the new teams that will be needed for successful remote work.