One thing I really enjoy: taking different kinds of personality tests. It’s not just for fun, though. When I want to focus on my own growth, those tests provide helpful insights. Once you understand how you think or process certain things, and why, you can easily figure out how you want to improve from there. For today’s post, I thought it would be fun to share my Emergenetics Profile, which defines preferences through behavioral and thinking attributes.
A Little Bit About Emergenetics
Drs. Geil Browning and Wendell Williams of Emergenetics International created a personality assessment to help people understand how they approach work and life. It combines the genetics with which we’re born and the characteristics that come from life experiences to determine an individual’s temperament. The results are along a spectrum of three Behavioral Attributes and four Thinking Attributes.
A note within the assessment results points out everyone is able to use all the Behavioral and Thinking Attributes. But everyone has a natural comfort level with each attribute. “It is possible to ‘stretch’ attributes like a rubber band when necessary, but operating outside your comfort level takes more energy and will tire you out more quickly.” (That definitely feels familiar to me!)
3 Behavioral Attributes: The Way You Act (What People See First)
- Expressiveness – your level of sharing what you are experiencing on the inside with the outside world
- Assertiveness – the amount of energy you invest in expressing your thoughts, feelings, and beliefs
- Flexibility – how much you are willing to accommodate the thoughts, actions, and interpersonal needs of others
4 Thinking Attributes: The Way You Think (What People Can’t See)
- Analytical thinking is rational, inquiring, and clear. The Analytical part of the brain wants to see data and research.
- Structural thinking is detailed, practical, and methodical. The Structural part of the brain follows rules and is cautious of new ideas.
- Social thinking is relational, collaborative, empathic, and supportive. The Social part of the brain is team-oriented and socially aware.
- Conceptual thinking is imaginative, unconventional, and visionary. The Conceptual part of the brain likes change and is easily bored.
Overview of My Emergenetics Profile
Truthfully, I completed the assessment back in 2019. It was part of a teambuilding workshop organized through my then-employer. That said, the research behind Emergenetics determined it’s highly unlikely for a person’s results to change significantly over time. Changes mainly occur only with significant drug/alcohol use, significant life events, or conscious behavioral change and practice.
Since 2019, I’d say there have been a few significant events. A worldwide pandemic, for one. So it’s possible these results don’t totally match up to how my brain works these days.
However, after reading through the whole report folder, I believe my profile is still very accurate.
Related reads:
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Preferred Thinking Attributes
- Analytical (25%) brain is capable of theoretical thinking but is not fanciful, and bases decisions on facts and data.
- Structural (25%) brain is task-oriented, dependable, and efficient, basing decisions on sequential reasoning.
- Social (23%) brain feels connected to emotions and others. It bases its decisions on intuition and the expertise of others.
- Conceptual (26%) brain is theoretical, not concrete. It tends to ask, “What’s the concept here, and where can I go with it?” It bases decisions on intuition and inspiration.
This part of the report kind of made me feel like a unicorn because Emergenetics claims a true multi-modal Profile—where all the thinking preferences are nearly even—is only seen in 1% of the general population. That’s kind of awesome and makes me feel like I have a superpower!
But the detailed description of what that really means paints a pretty stark either/or situation for me:
The Multi-Modal Emergenetics Profile
“You are capable of using both rational and intuitive thinking, as well as both concrete and abstract thought processes. You have the capacity to relate to anyone and to do any type of work.
People with this Profile tend to be either very successful or very bland. When people with this Profile master it, they learn to relate to all kinds of minds while still being able to make firm decisions. Those who have not yet mastered this Profile may second-guess their decisions, and the end results may be nondescript.
You may be able to communicate very well with others since you can relate to how others think. Your challenge is that you do not stand out from the crowd. You will probably rise in your organization quickly because you have been able to take on many different kinds of jobs. However, after this, your career may stagnate if you have not become an expert in any one area.
Here’s a thought. If you are not compelled to pursue any particular talent, field of study, or area of expertise, just pick a career and learn how to do it exceptionally well. Do not wait for a sign that a particular job is the ‘right’ one, as in the meantime everyone will be passing you by.”
Behavioral Attributes
- Expressiveness (6%) is in the first third, meaning I’m usually calm, thoughtful, and quiet.
- Assertiveness (10%) is in the first third, meaning I’m usually amiable, easygoing, and supportive.
- Flexibility (40%) is in the second third, meaning I may be more easygoing or firm depending on the situation.
For this part of the report, I’m not totally sure how accurate it still is. I’d say my Flexibility is probably in the same range because I do still wait to understand a situation before deciding if I want to be more accommodating and easygoing, or more focused and determined with a solid idea or goal in mind.
However, given the amount of work I’ve put into intentionally changing my mindset over the last few years, I wonder if my Expressiveness and Assertiveness levels might look different now. But this is what the report says my Behavioral Attributes say my behavior is typically like:
Expressiveness
“You are probably calm, thoughtful, and quiet. In general, you probably keep your thoughts to yourself, your facial expressions may be stoic, and you maintain confidential information easily. You may learn by listening and reflecting. You don’t waste words, and you tend to think before you speak. You generally prefer one-on-one conversations or small gatherings over participating in large groups. If you must spend prolonged periods of time with people, you may eventually need to retreat to privacy, which you find energizing. Because you are generally reserved, you may be perceived as less emotional (which may or may not be the case). When you are working in a team, you are often the calming influence on those around you.”
Assertiveness
“You are probably amiable, easygoing, and supportive. You generally choose to go along with most decisions and tend to keep your opinions to yourself on most things. You probably steer away from confrontations and most likely are viewed as a peacekeeper. You tend to be deliberate and may complete tasks at your own pace. Because you are genial and your voice is generally even-toned, you may risk being overlooked.”
Flexibility
“You are in the “It Depends” group. You may behave in a more easygoing manner, or you may take a firm position. Depending on the situation and your companions, you decide how much energy you want to put into being affable and easygoing, or determined and uncompromising.”
Final Thoughts
It’s fun to look back on these results and think about how I can use them. I can’t help wondering what my professional life could look like if I master my multi-modal thinking.
What do you think your profile would say about you?
