The Bright Side of Personality Tests (And How to Use Them Ethically)

Last weekend, I chanced on a documentary on Sky called ‘Persona: The Dark Truth Behind Personality Tests’ (CNN Films). It promised to explore ‘the origins of America’s obsession with personality tests and the ways these ideas shape the world around us.’?

As an Enneagram practitioner, somewhat intrigued but sceptical, I felt duty-bound to watch.

The Misuse of Personality Testing

True to its title, the documentary focuses on the misuse of personality testing, however its scope is limited to the use of testing - particularly MBTI/Myers-Briggs - in American corporate recruitment.?

The film rightly shines a light on several areas of concern.

Delving into a person’s psyche using simple personality questions concealed within hiring questionnaires is as intrusive as rifling through someone’s private diary to gauge their fitness for a role. This is simply unethical.

Moreover, diversity considerations were rightly raised as an issue. When companies favour, say, extraversion over introversion, they risk sidelining certain types of thinkers, creatives, and mavericks who may positively challenge the status quo. Plus there is more than a high risk of setting up barriers for minorities or talent with neurodiversity considerations.

"Never use personality testing to make judgements about people."

Here’s my golden rule: Never use personality testing to make judgements about other people. Making hiring or firing decisions based on personality test results is not ethical.

The Bright Side of Personality Testing

The documentary has its merits in highlighting risks in the misuse of personality tests in recruitment, however, it fails to present a balanced story.

“Personality tests aren’t the villain.”

Personality tests aren’t the villain. A personality test is a tool: its impact, be it positive or negative, largely depends on the intent of the user. Think of a knife; useful in the kitchen, dangerous in the wrong hands.

While the ‘parlour game’ of online personality quizzes can provide intriguing insights, professional personality assessments, backed by science and ethics, are a world apart. The documentary manages to overlook the transformational benefits of properly administered testing.

Labelling the entire personality assessment sector as ‘dark’ is lazy hyperbole. In 2022 alone, the personality assessment sector was worth US$9,150 million, suggesting its immense value and benefit to users.?

Without a doubt, investing in human growth via testing pays immense dividends.

The true power of tools like the Enneagram when applied properly is their ability to catalyse transformational personal and team growth. Ethically administered assessments, can spur self-awareness, elevate team dynamics, and boost staff retention rates.

So here are some recommendations on the best use of personality tests.

Ensure the Ethical Use of Personalty Assessments through:

1. Transparency: Always inform and obtain explicit consent. Always be upfront about the purpose, intent, methodology, and data handling.
2. Confidentiality: Control of the data should remain with the test-taker. Collaborating with an independent practitioner can ensure data privacy. (I have turned down work to protect this principle.)
3. No Judgement: Test data should never influence employment decisions, especially in hiring or firing.?

Best Practice in Personality Assessments:

1. Positive Intent: The test-taker’s growth should always be paramount. The principle use of assessments should be to positively impact individual or team development.
2. Open mind: Results should be discussed confidentially with the test-taker before drawing any conclusions. The debrief is a crucial step in professional testing, not least to avoid any misinterpretation of data.
3. Empowerment: The goal of testing is never to label or box someone in. The aim is to free individuals from self-limiting patterns, to empower them to get out of any 'box' that might be restricting them.

Conclusion

While the documentary 'Persona' raises some valid concerns, it leaves the overall impression that personality testing is dangerous and unhelpful.

To guarantee ethical testing, partner with an accredited professional. This not only addresses the concerns highlighted in ‘Persona’, but also safeguards both the individual and the business. A professional practitioner will ensure that high ethical standards are met and confidentiality remains intact.

When a person knows their personality assessment is being handled by a professional, they're more likely to answer honestly which ensures a more accurate outcome.

Every day, I witness first-hand the positive impact of using professional personality assessments.

The bright side of personality assessments is that they can truly unlock vast potential in clients.

Robert Hutchinson, PCC, FRSA

Accredited Professional, International Enneagram Association | Professional Certified Coach (PCC), International Coaching Federation

Robert uses the Enneagram to coach both corporate and private clients globally, empowering them to lead with conviction and find contentment in life. With a deep-rooted passion for the Enneagram, he not only advocates its benefits but also embodies them in his coaching methodology.

For further understanding, the International Enneagram Association Ethical Guidelines are available here.