When the creators of a leading project management tool, Asana, surveyed 9,615 workers worldwide, they uncovered something rather startling about team collaboration across the board: inefficient collaboration abounds, and it has a decidedly negative impact on companies.
More and more teams are transitioning to collaborative work environments – but if that collaboration is inefficient, it’ll cost companies even more time, money, and energy. Haphazard collaboration results in haphazard teamwork, where miscommunication, delays, and confusion prevail. It’s no secret that effective team collaboration is crucial to leading a successful team – but putting it in place may require more than running a few team-building exercises or boosting team motivation.
It’s time to get smarter about team collaboration – from the online collaboration tools that you choose to put in place to your company policies regarding external and internal communication, knowledge sharing, problem-solving, team meetings, messaging, and more. To truly adopt effective team collaboration, you must be willing to put everything on the table while analyzing your workflows and determining whether they serve you.
Because only then can you create a built-in collaboration strategy that’s aligned with your team’s tendencies and preferences. But therein lies the biggest caveat to all of this: to optimize team performance and collaboration, you first must know – truly know – the individuals across your entire team.
Just what is team collaboration? When we came together as a team to write this article, we realized that we each had very distinct – and sometimes limited – definitions of team collaboration. Perhaps you do, too, so we want to take a few seconds to clarify what we’re referring to when we say “team collaboration.” We’re assuming that it entails any or all of the following activities:
- Planning work and defining project scope/goals (including group brainstorming)
- Executing on the plan of action and communicating as a team
- Tracking progress and making adjustments if needed
- Evaluating what went well and what could be improved
- Providing feedback to team members on their work or about their performance
- Wrapping up the project and communicating the results to the wider team
What does team collaboration mean to you? Let us know by taking our free Team Collaboration survey.
To Inspire Better Team Collaboration, Get to Know Individual Team Members
We believe that the best way to quickly understand individual strengths, weaknesses, tendencies, and preferences around team collaboration is by understanding personality theory.
Knowing team members’ personality types can help you quickly comprehend their preferred work environments and collaboration preferences. It’s a way to uncover different styles of working that are likely to energize or satisfy individual team members, allowing you to then design a collaboration platform around those preferences in order to optimize team performance and happiness.
This article will go over team collaboration preferences for each personality type. With this knowledge in hand and a willingness and flexibility to implement changes where necessary, you can go on to inspire better teamwork, employee engagement, internal communication, team performance, and more.
Team Collaboration and Personality Type: How Does Each Type Thrive in a Collaborative Team Setting?
Are you new to personality theory? Let us quickly break it down for you. Our core theory explains that there are 16 personality types, each made up of different combinations of traits:
- Introverted (I) versus Extraverted (E) influences how we interact with our surroundings.
- Intuitive (N) versus Observant (S) determines how we see the world and process information.
- Thinking (T) versus Feeling (F) speaks to how we make decisions and cope with emotions.
- Judging (J) versus Prospecting (P) reflects our approach to work, planning, and decision-making.
There’s another aspect – Assertive (A) versus Turbulent (T) – which acts as a modifier and alters how confident we are in our abilities and decisions.
Each of the 16 personality types are assigned to one of four Roles: Analyst, Diplomat, Sentinel, or Explorer. Feel free to read our core theory article if you’d like a more comprehensive overview. For now, let’s dive into the personality Roles and types to see how each influences team collaboration.
Analyst Team Members
Analysts share the Intuitive (N) and Thinking (T) personality traits. This Role includes Architects (INTJ), Logicians (INTP), Commanders (ENTJ), and Debaters (ENTP). Analysts have a preference for rationality and impartiality and are excellent strategic thinkers.
Let’s explore the best ways to foster team collaboration in the workplace for each of the Analyst personality types.
Architect (INTJ)
Architects are Introverted (I), Intuitive (N), Thinking (T), and Judging (J).
When it comes to work, Architects want to tackle initiatives that leverage their intellect. They enjoy bringing unconventional ideas and inventions to the table and are most energized when working on projects that require creativity and innovation – and if they get to learn new things along the way, gathering data to make informed, rational decisions, then that’s all the better.
Independent to their core, Architects will appreciate companies that offer more flexibility in their schedule, and they may have a preference for communication tools such as Slack to foster asynchronous team collaboration with remote teams over face-to-face meetings or video calls. When they are working with a team in real time, these personalities are more likely to prefer collaborative work if it’s with a small group of trusted team members in a very quiet work environment free of distractions. And, in Architects’ ideal world, this group would be working toward clear, measurable, well-defined goals rather than trying to meet arbitrary guidelines.
Logician (INTP)
Logicians are Introverted (I), Intuitive (N), Thinking (T), and Prospecting (P).
These personalities are driven by an intense desire to learn everything that they possibly can. They’re unmatched at coming up with creative, counterintuitive approaches and ideas, and as such, they make an excellent addition to brainstorming sessions. They’re also likely to appreciate an autonomous work environment that provides flexibility to apply their creativity and explore different avenues.
As open-minded and insatiably curious Introverts, Logicians likely enjoy working independently or closely with a few trusted team members. They may have a preference for team collaboration that unfolds naturally in a more situational way, as opposed to an overbearing process calling for it. In either case, they’re likely to prefer collaboration that takes place over online communication tools or in one-on-one meetings rather than large groups. Occasionally, Logicians might get lost in analyzing various options or matching an ideal vision in their mind, so setting reminders and deadlines with project management tools may help them stay on track to completion.
Commander (ENTJ)
Commanders are Extraverted (E), Intuitive (N), Thinking (T), and Judging (J).
Sociable and outgoing, these personalities are energized by interacting with team members, and they are genuinely excited by the prospect of team collaboration. Not only do they enjoy sharing ideas and feedback with others but they may even find that opportunities to do so are crucial to their job satisfaction.
With their take-charge attitude, Commanders often naturally fall into leadership roles in their work environment (even without a “leadership” job title). These strategic thinkers are likely to enjoy everything from creative brainstorming to the more tactical job of organizing work, to ensure that they – or their team – deliver high-quality projects on time. They’ll likely appreciate a good project management tool where they can streamline processes, plan projects, and clearly see which tasks they’re responsible for. Commanders firmly believe that nothing is impossible without a little hard work, and they enjoy collaborating with team members who are willing to roll up their sleeves and tackle shared goals in an efficient yet effective manner.
Debater (ENTP)
Debaters are Extraverted (E), Intuitive (N), Thinking (T), and Prospecting (P).
A social work environment that allows Debaters to work and collaborate with team members is essential for these Extraverted personalities. They also prefer a nonhierarchical company culture without restrictive rules and guidelines, providing them with the opportunity to share their ideas – and have them heard by their team leaders or managers.
Debaters derive great joy from creative, knowledge-sharing discussions that allow them to stretch their curiosity and imagination. They genuinely have fun arguing both sides of a point and are thrilled when colleagues are willing to match their energetic yet slightly argumentative approach to communication – but their playful sense of humor can catch some personality types off guard. Not ones to follow the status quo, Debaters are nearly unmatched in their ability to brainstorm and think outside the box. They derive great pleasure from analyzing problems from every angle to come up with the best solution – and they welcome rational suggestions from their peers as well. With the right team members around them for support, Debaters’ grand ideas and team goals can be implemented and turned into reality.
Diplomat Team Members
Diplomats share the Intuitive (N) and Feeling (F) personality traits. This Role includes Advocates (INFJ), Mediators (INFP), Protagonists (ENFJ), and Campaigners (ENFP). Diplomats have a preference for cooperation and collaboration over competition and are warm, empathetic individuals.
Let’s explore the best ways to foster teamwork and collaboration in the workplace for each of the Diplomat personality types.
Advocate (INFJ)
Advocates are Introverted (I), Intuitive (N), Feeling (F), and Judging (J).
Because of their altruistic nature, Advocates are likely to find collaborative teamwork that allows them to connect with and help people highly satisfying, particularly if they get to work with a few trusted coworkers rather than a large group.
Ever the team players, Advocates value harmony, trust, fairness, and quality in teamwork and collaboration, and they are likely to be more productive in workspaces that are conducive to this. They likely find working with others to share knowledge and achieve common goals quite a natural process and aren’t afraid to take a little extra time to help team members who need a hand. These personalities tend to prefer more flexible, autonomous work environments where they are free to operate with independence and agency and without strict, repetitive processes and protocols. As Introverts, they’ll likely work best when they can dedicate at least some time to quiet, independent work, and they may prefer opportunities for asynchronous team collaboration in these instances.
Mediator (INFP)
Mediators are Introverted (I), Intuitive (N), Feeling (F), and Prospecting (P).
As Introverts, these personalities often prefer working in quiet places or in smaller groups with trusted coworkers, preferably in a collaborative team setting without too much stress or drama. They respond best to upbeat team communication that is centered on kind but honest feedback. A dialogue rich with “Yes, and…” or “What if…” should work nicely.
Mediators take great joy in letting their mind wander through endless ideas and possibilities and in cultivating environments where everyone feels safe sharing ideas, making them invaluable during brainstorming sessions. They have a sincere desire to help others, and if they can do so in a work environment that values their need for creativity, then that’s all the better. They have a deep longing to connect with others but sometimes don’t know how to put themselves out there. With an attentive, welcoming team around them, they can come into the fold and be great, collaborative team members. Over time, in their own quiet way, Mediators can form close connections with colleagues, especially when the company culture takes steps to address personal conflict, drama, and politics in healthy ways.
Protagonist (ENFJ)
Protagonists are Extraverted (E), Intuitive (N), Feeling (F), and Judging (J).
These reliable personalities are generally eager to collaborate with team leaders and colleagues alike, always searching for win-win situations to any problems that they might encounter. Protagonists value work environments where everyone feels comfortable sharing ideas and opinions, regardless of their official job title. This tendency makes them invaluable during group brainstorming sessions, where they can gently encourage even the most reticent team members to share.
From online chats or video conferencing with remote teams to face-to-face meetups, Protagonists thoroughly enjoy collaborating with similarly driven team members in any medium – though most do have a preference for in-person conversations, perhaps because interacting with and helping others goes a long way toward job satisfaction for these personalities. Asking Protagonists to plug away at a task all on their own can be challenging for them, particularly if the task is repetitive – these personalities require the freedom to interact with others and see that they’re having a positive impact on their lives. They’re particularly energized by setting goals for both self-improvement and common team achievements. They might enjoy team collaboration software and tools that allow them to plan out a course of action and visualize the progress that is being made toward shared goals.
Campaigner (ENFP)
Campaigners are Extraverted (E), Intuitive (N), Feeling (F), and Prospecting (P).
Imaginative and open-minded, these personalities enjoy working on diverse tasks and projects that stimulate their curious and creative nature. Group brainstorming is their forte – it may take them less time than other types to come up with a myriad of suggestions. While they share their own ideas openly, they also listen intently to input from others and are excited to genuinely understand differing viewpoints.
According to our research, the majority of Campaigners – 68% – say they work best when collaborating with others. Within that collaborative environment, these personalities likely work even better when they’re provided with the flexibility to move at their own pace and do things their own way. They may feel restricted if team collaboration tools are used as a way to micromanage their work, such as requiring them to use time-tracking software or follow rigid procedures. That aside, Campaigners strive to get along with all team members – and their friendly warmth combined with an easy sociability means that this desire usually comes to pass. They quite willingly give credit where credit is due and don’t shy away from praising team members for a good idea or a job well done.
Sentinel Team Members
Sentinels share the Observant (S) and Judging (J) personality traits. This Role includes Logisticians (ISTJ), Defenders (ISFJ), Executives (ESTJ), and Consuls (ESFJ). Sentinels are cooperative and highly practical, and they prefer to stick to clear hierarchies, rules, and plans, often finding motivation in organization.
Let’s explore the best ways to foster team collaboration in the workplace for each of the Sentinel personality types.
Logistician (ISTJ)
Logisticians are Introverted (I), Observant (S), Thinking (T), and Judging (J).
These personalities embody integrity in all that they do – including team collaboration. Logisticians are clear and honest, and they believe that collaboration works best when the entire team knows exactly what’s going on – and why – and every team member has clear structures and rules to follow.
But they’re one of the least likely personalities to say they work best when collaborating with others, with just 12% responding affirmatively. Perhaps that’s because Logisticians so willingly go above and beyond the call of duty and cannot always find team members who are willing to do the same. As Introverts, they likely prefer working alone and won’t seek out as much feedback or recognition from peers, but they’re also likely to work well with a small group of like-minded team members who are willing to work hard to complete projects on time and by the book. They may also feel most comfortable working on familiar or routine tasks – more imaginative tasks like brainstorming can lead to new ideas that disrupt an already well established and comfortable way of operating. As they’re one of the most likely personality types to work best when their time is structured for them, they may have a particular appreciation for collaboration tools and apps that allow them to stay organized and on schedule while executing on a plan of action.
Defender (ISFJ)
Defenders are Introverted (I), Observant (S), Feeling (F), and Judging (J).
These personalities have an unshakable work ethic, regularly taking pride in getting a job done well. To that end, they enjoy working collaboratively with a team of close-knit colleagues to move shared goals forward. They naturally build strong working relationships with their team members and genuinely enjoy lending a helping hand when it’s needed.
No matter what their official job title or role on the team may be, Defenders need to know that they’re helping others in practical ways in order to be fully satisfied with their professional lives. Collaborating in a way that allows them to facilitate others’ growth, healing, or progress may be particularly rewarding for Defenders. These personalities likely prefer very quiet work environments where they can complete independent work or collaborate with a small group of supportive team members. According to our research, just 28% of Defenders say they work best when collaborating with others. They enjoy working within well-defined boundaries and generally have no problem with the notion of moving along a structured hierarchy. They may prefer clearly defined projects over more ambiguous ones. Indeed, Defenders are the most likely personality type to say they work best when they have specific instructions on how to complete a task.
Executive (ESTJ)
Executives are Extraverted (E), Observant (S), Thinking (T), and Judging (J).
Whether working independently or collaborating with a team, these personalities always strive to complete work to the highest standards. They do things by the book and may prefer familiar, well-defined tasks over ones that require too much exploration and discovery. (If they’re tasked with repetitive duties, you can rest assured that these efficient personalities have drawn up a template or two to expedite their work.)
Organized, reliable, and productive, Executives rely on hard deadlines and plans when completing work and expect their team members to work equally diligently to deliver the expected results. They do best in work environments with clear rules, structures, and roles and will likely try to create this structure and order wherever they go if it is lacking. When working with effective and efficient colleagues, these down-to-earth personalities enjoy feeling like they’re part of a team – more than half of all Executives we surveyed say they do their best work when collaborating with others. Because they are direct and honest, Executives have a refreshingly straightforward way of communicating, and they prefer honesty and facts versus abstract ideas from their colleagues as well. They’re quite open to receiving honest, constructive criticism from their superiors in order to improve their effectiveness, or that of their team, in the workplace.
Consul (ESFJ)
Consuls are Extraverted (E), Observant (S), Feeling (F), and Judging (J).
Outgoing and sociable, these friendly personalities thoroughly enjoy interacting with team members and sharing ideas. Indeed, 73% say they do their best work when collaborating with others – Consuls thrive on cooperation, social order, and harmony. At the same time, they need to know that team members clearly understand their responsibilities and can deliver what is expected of them.
These personalities likely enjoy seeing plans, projects, and tasks broken down into tangible deliverables in project management tools. Consuls may also like keeping communication orderly – and holding team members accountable – with the help of dedicated collaboration tools. They thrive in structured teams that complete routine tasks, and they are unlikely to do their best work if collaboration requires too much freedom or improvisation. Operating within clear hierarchies and rules is their comfort zone – Consuls expect their colleagues to respect authority and abide by all professional rules and standards. Ever the altruists, if their work allows them to both help and interact with others, then Consuls are likely to be quite happy. And if team members express appreciation for all that Consuls do, keeping harsh criticism and rejections to a minimum, then that’s all the better.
Explorer Team Members
Explorers share the Observant (S) and Prospecting (P) personality traits. This Role includes Virtuosos (ISTP), Adventurers (ISFP), Entrepreneurs (ESTP), and Entertainers (ESFP). Explorers are the most spontaneous of all types and shine in situations that require quick reactions and thinking on one’s feet.
Let’s explore the best ways to foster teamwork and collaboration in the workplace for each of the Explorer personality types.
Virtuoso (ISTP)
Virtuosos are Introverted (I), Observant (S), Thinking (T), and Prospecting (P).
These personalities enjoy learning new, practical skills, especially if it involves trying new tools or building upon their expertise with a particular tool or tactical problem. When it comes to team collaboration, Virtuosos require two things: unpredictability and excitement. Indeed, Virtuosos are the least likely personality type to say they work best when their time is structured for them.
Virtuosos are private people and will often choose silence over (seemingly pointless) small talk. While they prefer independent work, when they do find themselves collaborating with colleagues, they value direct, concise communication that prioritizes competence and logic over personal opinions or emotional appeals. These Introverted personalities may benefit from collaboration tools that allow them to use primarily written communication over face-to-face discussions or in-person meetings. In either case, Virtuosos need the flexibility and freedom to work independently at times, without worrying about micromanagement or adhering to strict operational procedures. While this flexibility comes with some unpredictability, it also means that Virtuosos are excellent at overcoming and adapting to unexpected challenges in the spur of the moment.
Adventurer (ISFP)
Adventurers are Introverted (I), Observant (S), Feeling (F), and Prospecting (P).
Tolerant and friendly, these personalities enjoy collaborating with team members to solve practical problems. They’re likely to prefer working in quieter settings or in a small group of trusted colleagues where they have lots of wiggle room to do things their own way. A moderate 32% say they work best when collaborating with others – though that’s the highest percentage of all Introverted types.
Adventurers value harmony and cooperation over high-pressure, competitive work environments. They’re always on the lookout for win-win situations and can identify and relate to others’ emotions quite easily, helping them establish a harmonious rapport with colleagues and minimize conflict. If team members reciprocate this good-natured approach to collaboration by expressing their appreciation from time to time, then that’s all the better. In order to be happy in a team environment, Adventurers need the freedom to do things their own way, without fear of being micromanaged or boxed in by rigid rules or procedures. This flexibility also means that these personalities are very adaptable in the face of challenges. As long as their work environments allow these gentle, compassionate types to fully express themselves and live in alignment with their values, Adventurers are happy to work collaboratively to make the world a more beautiful place.
Entrepreneur (ESTP)
Entrepreneurs are Extraverted (E), Observant (S), Thinking (T), and Prospecting (P).
Charming, outgoing, and fun-loving, these personalities naturally gravitate toward networking and team collaboration. Entrepreneurs can get along with just about anyone (though some personality types may find it harder to get along with them), but they particularly respect colleagues who get results. They’re not ones to shy away from a little healthy competition either.
Because they’re so social, Entrepreneurs likely enjoy collaboration tools that allow for face-to-face and in-person discussions. They value direct communication with colleagues that favors exciting potentials rooted in action and results over carefully managing others’ feelings. But for all their brashness, Entrepreneurs are very perceptive and have an uncanny knack for noticing small shifts in habits or appearances. These personality types are excellent at setting small, clear, measurable, and attainable objectives that keep the team moving toward common goals. Rather than following established tradition or rules, however, they crave the freedom and flexibility to do things their own way and discover what does – or could – work best for any given practical problem. And they’re more than happy to share knowledge gained with interested team members who are eager to learn.
Entertainer (ESFP)
Entertainers are Extraverted (E), Observant (S), Feeling (F), and Prospecting (P).
Energetic and sociable, Entertainers thrive in a team setting – they’re the most likely of all personality types to say they work best when collaborating with others. Perhaps that’s because these personalities are unmatched in their ability to maximize a friendly, enjoyable work environment, where any tensions are kept at bay and the team works harmoniously together.
Entertainers have a natural charm and charisma that helps them form strong working relationships with most team members. They live for the moment, always seeking new experiences. Maybe that’s why they can hold seemingly endless conversations and still never run out of things to discuss. (With that tendency in mind, these personalities may benefit from collaboration or project management tools to help them stay on task.) Original yet down-to-earth and practical, Entertainers are excellent at everything from group brainstorming sessions to putting any new methods that are unearthed to practical use – especially when they have the freedom and flexibility to apply their own style when executing them.
Final Thoughts on Personality Theory and Team Collaboration
There you have it – a thorough review of collaborative work environment preferences of different personalities. You now have a much better understanding of the tendencies and strengths that each personality type likely brings to team collaboration. You may not have a 16-person team (even though you probably want one after reading this), but the knowledge that you’ve gained here can help you improve collaboration, communication, morale, and much more within your own team.
One important note: we do caution you to remember that these observations are merely general tendencies. Every individual is unique and may display different strengths and behaviors than the ones that we have pointed out here, as influenced by their personality type, life experiences, and personal characteristics.
Team collaboration is undoubtedly an important factor in your team’s ability to work together effectively – but it’s not the only one. If you’d like to delve into all of the facets impacting your team’s productivity – and get personalized recommendations to improve your team – we invite you to take our free Team Dynamics Quiz. You’ll see how well your team currently works together and get tips on how to improve areas that may need a boost.