Personality Types Explored: Type 5 of 9

Personality type 5 explored

Core Motivation: feel important;

Action Goal: reveal what is important and true

Type 5 people are individualists who prioritize honesty and ‘getting to the bottom’ of any topic that interests them.  They are inclined to stay focused on a single task or goal from start to finish before moving on to something new, and can have strong resistance to being interrupted.  They are committed to their own perceptions of life, and have strong resistance to being told how to live, work or think.  As a type 5, I can vouch for the fact that we are often accused of taking ourselves too seriously and thinking too much.  We are often perceived as having a know-it-all attitude, and can easily come across as aloof and defensive.  We generally are invested in being ‘right,’ and often prioritize ‘winning’ arguments to the detriment of our significant relationships.  Our tendency toward extremely direct and, at times, painfully honest communication can result in alienation from those around us.  Generally analytical, we think carefully before making ourselves emotionally vulnerable.

If you are wondering if someone you know is a type 5, it may help to ask the following questions:

1.   Do they like being different from everyone else?

2.   Do they pride themselves on always being honest and direct?

3.   Do they get frustrated when they have difficulty understanding something?

4.   Do they like to analyze?

5.   Do they put high value on being ‘right?’

6.   Are they individualists, having little tolerance for being told what to do or think?

7.   Do they minimize the value of having fun?
8. Do they like to stay on task (short or long term) until completion?

All of these statements would be true for most 5 types.  As always, wings influence the core type, so there may be minor exceptions.   On a personal level, I think 5 types could be compatible with 2 types, 3 types, 4 types, and 9 types.  If you are negotiating a personal or professional conflict with someone who is a type 5, and you hope to open new avenues of discussion, it may be useful to ask questions that convey a curiosity about, and interest in, that person’s perspective and opinion.  In general, it may help to understand that type 5 individuals respond defensively when they feel underestimated.  Their sometimes eccentric approach to life can disguise the fact that they want to feel important and valued.