Most Important Thing of Taking a Personality Test.
The Purpose of Personal Branding
If you are a brand, what brand identity and image will you create?
This is a question that I’m always asking myself. The reason is that I know how important and how much benefits it is to make myself a brand with a unique personality.
What makes you special? What are your beliefs? What can you bring to this world? You want to impress interviewers during an interview; you try to express yourself to make new friends. We are always trying to define ourselves to know better who we are. However, the truth is that it’s not easy to do.
My answer to the question is “Passionate, confident, warm, optimistic, and live with a growth mindset,” I guess. I mean, there are too many great personalities I want to have, and I know I can get them gradually as long as I work hard for them. But, as the saying goes, “you need to know where you are right now to figure out how to get to the destination (your goal).”
The “How to Fascinate” Test
Today, I’m lucky to have the opportunity to conduct the “how to fascinate” test by Sally Hogshead. At first, I thought it was another personality test that I’ve done several times back in high school and college. Tests that tell me what my personality is and what work I’m suitable for. However, after I finished watching the video explaining the purpose of the test, I couldn’t wait to do it to see what’s my “archetype.”
“All markets are like online dating markets,” said Sally Hogshead. No matter what we are doing, we want to make people fall in love with our ideas. However, the average attention span of the addictive nature of web browsing is only 9 seconds nowadays. So, how to get others’ interests and let them want to learn more about you is an essential part to know. Because even you have the best idea or product on earth, it’s no use if nobody knows.
There are seven “advantages” that can shorten the decision of people’s brains and become the behavioral motivators, that is, to activate the advantages and earn attention. Everyone has these seven advantages: power, passion, mystique, prestige, alert, innovation, and trust, but there is one that you use more than others, and that’s when you are the most persuasive.
Interesting Result of Mine
So, let’s see what I got for my result.
My archetype is the mediator. It’s combined by my primary advantage, alert, with my secondary advantage, trust. My strength is working with many different people and creating a harmonious environment.
For the “alert,” I’m always aware of all the little details, dedicated to work, and avoid any unwelcome surprises. And for the “trust,” I think and speak in a way that builds consistency and reliability; I like routine and being punctual. That means I’m a practical and organized thinker, detail-oriented planner, keep things on track, and carefully consider my words and actions before doing.
Moreover, I found it really interesting since this is the only test that tells me what I’m weak for. My dormant advantage is “power.” It means that I’m not a dominant person and don’t like to control others. If I force myself to use power to communicate with others, I’ll be exhausted and will be least likely to impress others.
Is the Result Accurate?
At first, I felt unsatisfied when I saw the result “the mediator.” Do you know why? Because the result is too “me,” which is unlike the advantage that leaders should have. I know I’m not good at connecting with people immediately, I’m not a person with creative ideas, and not to say a person who makes decisions. However, I still hope to have the advantages of passion, innovation, and power.
However, after I finished reading the whole report of this test, which was explained very detailed and complete, I was amazed that based on only 28 questions the test asked, it could analyze the results this close to me.
When I was at work, I love to have an everyday to-do list that’s previously planned every week. I like the feeling of being sure to stay on schedule and being safe to know all the details are organized. When I was at home, I recognized all the members’ needs and tried to provide benefits to them, and also the mediator when there was a disagreement. Moreover, I nearly never have a strong opinion that I want others to do. That’s what exactly said in the results.
Knowing Where I Am and Keep Moving
Yeah, so I can say that the “how to fascinate” test is really accurate about my advantages and helps me learn more profound about myself.
Sally Hogshead suggested people use their strength to communicate with others because it’s the most compelling and effective way. I totally agree with her, but that doesn’t mean I’m fixed and can’t improve to gain the advantages I want.
As said, “you need to know where you are right now to figure out how to get to the destination.” And I know where I am now! I understand myself more than before, and I can start from my strength to explore other advantages, such as passion, I want to have the excellent ability to build strong relationships connections. Also, innovation, I like myself to break the rules and think of something new, etc.
Of course, I also appreciate the advantages I have now, alert and trust. They give me beautiful capabilities to get things done and make others feel comfortable around me. I’m happy that I can start planning the path of getting to my destination!
