How directly people express themselves is an important indication of what personality type they are. Think about the people you manage at work: who is very assertive and outspoken and who is very reserved and subtle? Who is somewhere in the middle? Directness is a wide spectrum, and both direct and indirect behaviors are appropriate in different situations.

What communication style do you use? How does your personality type help you manage both direct and indirect communicators at work? How does it challenge you?

Personality tests are a useful management tool for identifying personality types and illuminating ways you can better utilize the skills of your employees. They will inform you about your own style, as well as the varying styles of your employees, so you can take advantage of their natural aptitudes while minimizing their shortcomings.

What Personality Tests Reveal

1. Who you are.

Good leaders aren’t afraid to take the first step and lead by example. Show your employees that you are willing to learn more about yourself by taking a personality test and sharing your results with the team. You will discover new facets of your behavior and personality that will make you a better manager, plus you will make it easier for your employees to follow your lead.

2. Who your employees are.

You may already have a good idea of who is a direct communicator and who opts for more indirect interactions, but personality tests go beneath the surface to help you and your employees understand exactly what people need to be most successful.

3. How you can all work together more seamlessly.

An accurate personality test identifies the strengths and weaknesses in every member of the team, revealing how you can adapt your management style for the best results.

Direct people are extroverts who are assertive, competitive and fast-paced. They like to take action rather than overthink situations, so they tend to be risk-takers, which can sometimes lead to great gains or great losses. At best, direct people are efficient “doers” who make the most of every opportunity. At worst, they are impatient and combative, taking too many chances and creating conflict.

Indirect people, on the other hand, are more cautious, accommodating and thoughtful than their direct counterparts. They often ask questions and listen to the answers more than they speak, and they want to gather all the information they can before making a decision. At best, they are stable, levelheaded and well-liked, making sensible decisions and maintaining positive relationships with others. At worst, they are indecisive, unassertive and too reserved, afraid to make changes, take risks or “rock the boat” with others.

Personality tests will show you how you can bring the best out in your direct and indirect employees and is an integral part to communications skills training.