Emily Marsh October 8 2019
Featured

Facet5 personality profiling: How Will and Energy interact

Looking at the different factor combinations of an individual's Facet5 personality profile can help us to better understand and predict how they will behave in a given situation. We look at the interaction between the Will and Energy factors.

Understanding each of the factors of the Facet5 personality profiles on their own can be seen as fairly straightforward.

If we look at Will, for example, people with High Will are determined, committed and independent. People with Low Will, on the other hand, are more consultative, collaborative, and interested in maintaining harmony.

Now take Energy. High Energy people are energetic, enthusiastic and sociable. Where as Low Energy people are quieter, more reserved and private.

But what does it look like when you’re both High Will and High Energy? What about if you’re High Will but Low Energy? Or Low Will and High Energy? Low Will and Low Energy?

How do the Will and Energy factors interact with each other? And how does that manifest in how a person thinks, acts and approaches their work?

High Will and High Energy

In a team environment, people with High Will and High Energy tend to be a positive and motivating influence on others. They respond well to challenges and will engage quickly, providing input and direction. However, they may be impulsive and overcommit.

As a manager, they will lead with enthusiasm, setting goals and a focus for the team. They’re likely to address issues quickly and will challenge the decisions of others to get the best out of the team.

If challenged, they react quickly and argue and defend their case. If they’re in a managerial position, they expect people to respect and defer to their status.

Facet5 Families: Promoter, Advocate, Entrepreneur, Generalist

Low Will and Low Energy

People with Low Will and Low Energy tend to have a quieter influence on a team. They may be more reserved but are co-operative, flexible and willing to listen to others’ viewpoints. If they have something definitive to add, they won’t hold back from contributing, but they may not put forward ideas that are outside of their own area of expertise.

As a manager, they tend not to place high demands on others. They do prefer people to be self-managing but will provide support if needed, especially if they also score high on Affection.

When it comes to conflict, they avoid it unless seriously challenged. They are usually quite tolerant and will hope any issues go away without them having to confront them.

Facet5 Families: Supporter, Controller, Coach, Specialist

High Will and Low Energy

Individuals with High Will and Low Energy may take a while to settle into a new team. Though they’re likely to have definite opinions, they may not share them unless encouraged to. They tend to respond well to clear and strong direction but will then choose to work independently - where they perform at their best.

As a manager, they will have a clear vision and focus, but may not be the best at communicating it. They are likely to make decisions with little consultation from the rest of the team. They are also likely to expect team members to be self-managing and deliver results. The risk is that their quietness may make them appear demanding and unapproachable.

Individuals with this profile will avoid open conflict but will confront a colleague or manager if they feel very strongly about something. And while they will consider others viewpoints, they will be reluctant to change their mind.

Facet5 Families: Architect, Producer, Traditionalist, Idealist

Low Will and High Energy

Low Will and High Energy individuals tend to be a sociable and willing team member. They're open to new ideas and suggestions and will encourage others to participate and speak out. They will often adopt others’ ideas with excitement and enthusiasm.

As a manager, they tend to be friendly and relaxed. They will often see goal-setting as an opportunity to involve and motivate others and will stay visible and involved.

When faced with conflict, they will try to diffuse the situation by giving ground or compromising their own interests and processes. They are quite flexible and can be easily convinced by a strong argument.

Facet5 Families: Explorer, Facilitator, Developer, Presenter

So what?

How the different factors interact is an important consideration when trying to understand the personality and behaviours of those we work with. Not everyone who is High Will is going to think, act and lead in the exact same way. How they score on the Energy factor will also have an influence. And vice versa. Likewise, how they score on the other factors - Affection, Control, Emotionality - will also have an impact.

Understanding how these factors interact can help you to better understand not just your own personality, but those of your colleagues, managers and direct reports. The more you understand about each others’ personalities and behavioural preferences, the easier it is to find ways to work better together as one organisation striving for the same goals.

Beyond the Personality Test

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