Skip to nav Skip to content



PERSONALITY TYPES AND

The Future of Work

Considering the post-pandemic challenge of determining where work happens, we set out to investigate employees’ attitudes about remote, hybrid, and in-office work and discover how these attitudes are influenced by personality types. The insights from our research can help workplace leaders and interior designers make informed decisions that support employees and drive organizational success in the future of work.

 



THE RESEARCH

Myers-Briggs Type Indicator Assessment

The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) assessment looks at four areas of personality type as evaluated by preference toward:

  1. Extraversion (E) or Introversion (I)
  2. Sensing (S) or Intuition (N)
  3. Thinking (T) or Feeling (F)
  4. Judging (J) or Perceiving (P)

Hybrid Workspaces WP_web graphics_crop2.jpg

To discover the workplace implications of these four personality assessments, we partnered with Myers-Briggs on a research survey that:

  1. Questioned participants about their work preferences.
  2. Collected information about their environments.
  3. Obtained their views on job satisfaction.

 

THE RESULTS

What Personalities Want at Work

Where does the traditional workplace fit in our post-pandemic world?

Instead of relying on subjective views and prescriptive mandates for the answer, we discovered insights into how MBTI personality preferences can help. For example:

Extraverts are more likely to be open to the RETURN-TO-OFFICE movement than Introverts. However, that is not their exclusive preference.

Among hybrid workers, both Extraverts and Introverts agreed they would like to work from HOME more often.

Hybrid workers with a Sensing preference spent, on average, more time working in the OFFICE than those with an Intuitive preference.

Respondents with Intuitive tendencies were more inclined to work for organizations that lacked a specific rule regarding OFFICE ATTENDANCE FREQUENCY.

In the office, respondents with a Thinking preference were more likely than those with a Feeling preference to prefer NEAT AND ORGANIZED WORKSPACES.

Among hybrid workers, those with a Judging preference were more likely to say they prefer to WORK FROM HOME more often.

 

 



Putting Into Practice

Workplace Design for Personalities

Loud and clear, personality types had distinct preferences for workplace design.

 

#1 on the list: Reduce or eliminate open-plan layouts.

More than half of workplaces among the survey respondents were open-plan, and only a quarter of participants said that this was their preferred environment.

Genius Cornice-Height Wall, Grazie Stack Chairs, Pirouette Table, Unite System, and Oath Task Chair in an office; sleek wall and panel systems with flexible seating in a workspace at Amada Tech Center, suitable for private and open workspaces
Therefore You Should… Add more private spaces.

Respondents whose offices included separate individual and group working spaces and/or multipurpose social spaces felt more positive about work, were less likely to be looking for new jobs, and were more satisfied with their working environment.

How can you do that? Offer distinct workplace zones.

Creating specified quiet zones by adding private pods, booths, small meeting rooms, and informal gathering spaces should be top of mind when developing return-to-work or hybrid workplace strategies.

 

Workplace Personalities =

Workplace Opportunities

Personality assessments provide valuable insight into the needs and preferences of workers in today’s workplace evolution. The Myers-Briggs tool can be especially useful in achieving smoother transitions, greater success, and better approaches for helping employees thrive.

Connect with your dedicated KI specialist to begin the discussion!

Contact My KI Specialist

 

By clicking "Accept All Cookies," you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage and assist in marketing efforts. For more information, see Website Privacy.

Accept All Cookies