Personality Tests – Playful Quiz or Valuable Tool for Coaching and Self-Development?
- Simone
- Nov 5, 2025
- 3 min read
We all love tests. Whether it’s the classic magazine quiz – “What type of pasta are you?” – or a more scientific questionnaire: tests give us structure, a result, and sometimes even the feeling that we understand ourselves a little better. But what lies behind the most common personality tests, and how can they be used meaningfully in coaching and personal development?
The Classics Among Personality Tests
Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI)The MBTI is probably one of the most well-known tests. Based on the theories of Carl Gustav Jung, it categorizes people into 16 different types, from ENFP to ISTJ. It looks at four dimensions: Extraversion vs. Introversion, Intuition vs. Sensing, Thinking vs. Feeling, and Judging vs. Perceiving. The combination places each person into a specific type.Useful in coaching: The MBTI highlights personal preferences, such as whether someone draws energy from social interaction or from solitude. In coaching, it creates a deeper understanding of communication and work styles. Career coaching and team development often benefit from the insights this test provides.
Big Five (OCEAN Model)The Big Five is considered the most scientifically robust personality model. It is built around five dimensions: Openness to Experience, Conscientiousness, Extraversion, Agreeableness, and Neuroticism (emotional stability). Instead of fixed categories, people fall along a spectrum for each dimension, which creates a nuanced personality profile.Useful in coaching: The Big Five not only highlight strengths but also reveal potential stress points or development areas. For example, someone very conscientious may excel at organization but find it hard to relax. Knowing this allows for targeted strategies in stress management or career planning.
DiSC ModelThe DiSC model describes personality through four styles: Dominance, Influence, Steadiness, and Conscientiousness. It focuses on how people behave and communicate in everyday work life. Most individuals show a blend of these styles, with one often standing out more strongly.Useful in coaching: DiSC is particularly valuable for understanding team dynamics and preventing conflict. For instance, someone high in Influence thrives on spontaneity, while a Conscientious type prefers careful planning. Coaching can help teams bridge these differences and make the most of everyone’s strengths.
EnneagramThe Enneagram outlines nine personality types, each shaped by core motivations, fears, and inner drivers. Well-known examples include the Perfectionist, the Helper, the Achiever, or the Visionary. Unlike many models, the Enneagram goes deeper into unconscious patterns that influence how we think and act.Useful in coaching: The Enneagram encourages asking the “why” behind behavior. It reveals where we may be getting in our own way and highlights growth opportunities. Especially when it comes to resilience, self-leadership, or relationship work, the Enneagram offers powerful insights.
How Personality Tests Really Help
Personality tests are not final labels but rather invitations to look more closely:
They provide language for what we feel but may find hard to articulate.
They serve as a starting point for reflection – both individually and in coaching.
They make unconscious patterns visible and offer concrete entry points for change.
The Limits of Personality Tests
As valuable as they are, no test can capture the full complexity of a human being. There’s also the risk of over-identifying with a type (“That’s just who I am, I can’t change it”). That’s why tests should be seen as tools, not absolute truths.
Personality tests can act as powerful mirrors – sometimes they distort, sometimes they bring clarity. In coaching and personal development, they are most helpful for opening conversations, uncovering patterns, and making conscious decisions.n.
