The importance of self-assessments
Self-assessments are important tools for building a successful career in the information field. Since librarians and information professionals often work autonomously, their performance is not often evaluated. This situation can sometimes lead to a rut, with employees going about their day in the same manner, doing the same tasks, never seeking change. Self-assessments can stir things up by forcing librarians and information professionals to critique their own performance, strengths and weaknesses. This type of critical reflection on one’s workplace practices is meant to stimulate the self into active improvement by pinpointing shortcomings.
As a first step to self-assessment, we encourage librarians and information professionals to take a variety of personality tests. To know one’s self is to know how one works. We have included a simple test here to get you started.
As a first step to self-assessment, we encourage librarians and information professionals to take a variety of personality tests. To know one’s self is to know how one works. We have included a simple test here to get you started.
Color personality test
Many personality tests exist. Some will talk of extraversion and introversion, others of the “Big Five” dimensions, others still of the Myer-Briggs Type Indicator. We have chosen the "color personality test", one of the many models of personality theory.
Like other personality models, color theory has its advocates and its critics. It has mostly been used in business, education, career counselling and mental health settings as a fun and colourful way to manage relationships, resolve conflict, and improve teamwork and leadership skills. To use vocabulary familiar to information professionals, color theory sorts, classifies and categorizes people into personality types or “information and situation processing styles” (Ritberger, 2000, p. 7). Once individuals understand their own style, as well as the style of others, their interactions usually improve.
Color personality theory in itself comprises different models. Some, such as the Lüscher Color Test (1969), reveal personality through 8 different color preferences (the 4 primary colors being Blue, Green, Red and Yellow). Others, like Hartman’s Color Code (2006) and the True ColorsTM Assessment (1990), are forced question tests that assess one’s personality type by color (Hartman’s four colors are Red, Blue, White and Yellow, whereas True Colors uses Orange, Gold, Green and Blue). Although differences exist, some associations between the models and colors can be made.
Our color personality profiles (Blue, Green, Yellow and Red) are an adaptation of these three models. For the personality test itself, we have chosen a forced question approach using situations commonly experienced by librarians and information professionals.
Like other personality models, color theory has its advocates and its critics. It has mostly been used in business, education, career counselling and mental health settings as a fun and colourful way to manage relationships, resolve conflict, and improve teamwork and leadership skills. To use vocabulary familiar to information professionals, color theory sorts, classifies and categorizes people into personality types or “information and situation processing styles” (Ritberger, 2000, p. 7). Once individuals understand their own style, as well as the style of others, their interactions usually improve.
Color personality theory in itself comprises different models. Some, such as the Lüscher Color Test (1969), reveal personality through 8 different color preferences (the 4 primary colors being Blue, Green, Red and Yellow). Others, like Hartman’s Color Code (2006) and the True ColorsTM Assessment (1990), are forced question tests that assess one’s personality type by color (Hartman’s four colors are Red, Blue, White and Yellow, whereas True Colors uses Orange, Gold, Green and Blue). Although differences exist, some associations between the models and colors can be made.
Our color personality profiles (Blue, Green, Yellow and Red) are an adaptation of these three models. For the personality test itself, we have chosen a forced question approach using situations commonly experienced by librarians and information professionals.
Take our 7 questions test
Interpreting your results
Now count how many times you answered a), b), c) and d).
If your answers are mostly A, your personality most closely matches the Yellow type. Click on the color or go to the Yellow page to learn more about the common strengths and shortcomings of this type, how they fit in the Library and Information sciences world, and how people like you can improve their leadership skills.
If your answers are mostly B, your personality most closely matches the Green type. Click on the color or go to the Green page to learn more about the common strengths and shortcomings of this type, how they fit in the Library and Information sciences world, and how people like you can improve their leadership skills.
If your answers are mostly C, your personality most closely matches the Red type. Click on the color or go to the Red page to learn more about the common strengths and shortcomings of this type, how they fit in the Library and Information sciences world, and how people like you can improve their leadership skills.
If your answers are mostly D, your personality most closely matches the Blue type. Click on the color or go to the Blue page to learn more about the common strengths and shortcomings of this type, how they fit in the Library and Information sciences world, and how people like you can improve their leadership skills.
If your results are a fairly even mix of A, B, C or D answers, or if you just want to learn more, you might want to check your 2 most dominant colors.
Remember that the four colors represent general personality types. Individuals rarely fit neatly in set categories. These set categories are, however, helpful in identifying how certain people perceive and react to the world in which they live. Reading all four personality types will also give you a better understanding of the different behavioural and communicative styles of your colleagues.
« Think of it this way: the human face, which has only a small number of variables (eyes, nose, chin, ears, hair, etc.), has never produced exactly the same look. The same is true of personality. While core personalities are “limited” to only four core motives (or colors), no two people are exactly the same. » (ColorCode, n.d., p. 9)
If your answers are mostly A, your personality most closely matches the Yellow type. Click on the color or go to the Yellow page to learn more about the common strengths and shortcomings of this type, how they fit in the Library and Information sciences world, and how people like you can improve their leadership skills.
If your answers are mostly B, your personality most closely matches the Green type. Click on the color or go to the Green page to learn more about the common strengths and shortcomings of this type, how they fit in the Library and Information sciences world, and how people like you can improve their leadership skills.
If your answers are mostly C, your personality most closely matches the Red type. Click on the color or go to the Red page to learn more about the common strengths and shortcomings of this type, how they fit in the Library and Information sciences world, and how people like you can improve their leadership skills.
If your answers are mostly D, your personality most closely matches the Blue type. Click on the color or go to the Blue page to learn more about the common strengths and shortcomings of this type, how they fit in the Library and Information sciences world, and how people like you can improve their leadership skills.
If your results are a fairly even mix of A, B, C or D answers, or if you just want to learn more, you might want to check your 2 most dominant colors.
Remember that the four colors represent general personality types. Individuals rarely fit neatly in set categories. These set categories are, however, helpful in identifying how certain people perceive and react to the world in which they live. Reading all four personality types will also give you a better understanding of the different behavioural and communicative styles of your colleagues.
« Think of it this way: the human face, which has only a small number of variables (eyes, nose, chin, ears, hair, etc.), has never produced exactly the same look. The same is true of personality. While core personalities are “limited” to only four core motives (or colors), no two people are exactly the same. » (ColorCode, n.d., p. 9)