Professional Learning Network: Personality Tests

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 What is a Professional Learning Network?

Professional Learning Networks (PLNs) are a community of professionals looking to work together and strengthen their practice. PLNs can consist of immediate coworkers, online groups, and others in your community looking to learn from others. A benefit of creating a professional community is that you can see things from the point of view of others and have access to various new ideas!

It is so important to be able to have diverse thinkers in your PLN. Let's Grow Leaders says that you should develop a network that includes these four types of people:

  1. An Encourager - Someone to support you emotionally.
  2. A Challenger - Someone who makes you think your choice through fully.
  3. An Advocate - Someone who represents your best interests.
  4. A Technical Advisor - Someone with better/different experiences than you in your field.
To learn more about where I would fall in a PLN, I took three personality tests:

Fivethirtyeight

Photo Source: Personal Results from Fivethirtyeight

The results I got from the Fivethirtyeight showed that I am pretty moderate in the tested aspects. I am not surprised by these results since I'm open to new things, but I don't typically jump on new ideas straight away. I'm pretty agreeable and have been told I am easy to work with. I'm not quick to anger, but I do have anxiety. I like making friends, but it takes me a while to open up. On a surface level, I'm kind of boring, but in a professional setting, I don't think that's a bad thing.

Personality Type Indicator

Photo Source: Personal Results from My Personality Test

The Personality Type Indicator test is more like the test I took growing up. I think in high school I took the 16 Personalities test and (obviously) made all my friends take it. Back then I would always get INFP: The Mediator as my result, so by taking it now it did not surprise me that I got ISFP: The Harmonizer. I had to do a little bit of digging to learn what the differences were between the two personality types. They are both artistic and share 3 of the 4 traits so it would make sense that they are very similar, but the main difference is how they experience the world. I thought this portrayed how I've changed since I've grown up. Now I let things speak for themselves. I am more realistic in my expectations. Back before I had much experience in the world all I thought about was the future and things I didn't know about. Nothing was solidified for me, so it was all just based on feelings and ideas. I liked seeing the change in results with this test, because it showed me that I'm still like my old self just with a little more experience in life.

Five Factor Test

Photo Source: Personal Results from Five Factor Test (cropped together)

I would say I agree with these results and it follows the results of the previous tests I took. I think I am quite self-aware, which allows me to be in good control of my feelings and how I respond to things around me, which is seen in my conscientiousness score. My other high score rate is how open I am to experiences. I think that this score is accurate especially when it comes to professional experiences.

How will I Work in a PLN?

Overall, I definitely think I'd be a great Encourager and Advocate. It looks like my personality test results also support this idea, especially since my "agreeableness" scores are pretty high. If I see someone doing a good job, I will make sure they know that they are and will bring up their accomplishments when it would be beneficial to the team. I agree that I am a good listener and I find that many people trust me to vent, as well. If I think my PLN is solid then I will always support those in my community.

What Can I Improve On?
Looking back on my results I think one thing that I can improve on is the extraversion score. I've always leaned toward introversion, while in general, it is not a negative thing, many people are more drawn to those that are extroverted. I think this is a tangible goal since I know I open up more when I am in environments that I am comfortable and familiar with. My plan is exposure therapy to social situations over the next 3 months, which seems doable with the holidays just around the corner. The steps that will push me towards more extraversion include:
  1. Participating in casual discussions with colleagues.
  2. Being engaged in social events.
  3. Participating in regular social activities.
I believe that taking these steps in this specific order will give me the courage to start engaging more with colleagues and help me expand my PLN. Casual conversation will help me interact with my coworkers rather than just sitting there and listening to what they say. Being involved during a social gathering or event will force me to interact with a larger group of individuals, and participating in regular social activities will fully pull me out of my shell. My hope is to be able to be each of the four types of people necessary for a PLN in different people's PLN.

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