Respect is a universal necessity for most people, and a lack of respect can lead to detrimental decreases in feelings of self-worth. While there are certainly no personality types that deserve respect more than others, personality type does indeed play a role in how respected one feels. To determine which types feel the most (or least) respected, we asked our community to agree or disagree with the statement, “You feel that people do not give you the respect you deserve.”
Our data indicated that Identity had the most significant influence in feelings of respect – Turbulent personality types (66% agreeing) were much less likely to feel respected than Assertive types (39%). Confidence clearly plays a vital role not only in feeling respect, but in gaining it as well. Intuitive types (62%) were much less likely to feel respected than Observant types (44%).
Let’s find out what respect means to different personality types in greater detail below.
Roles
Analysts (67% agreeing)
Analysts are usually quite confident in their intellectual abilities – something that they believe naturally demands respect. But these personality types may not be as confident in their social interactions with others. This is likely a result of their Intuitive trait, which can give them a sense of detachment, both from others and, at times, from reality. As types who spend a majority of their time in a world of possibilities and ideas, they may find it difficult to communicate effectively with other types, especially those with the Observant trait.
In addition to communication differences between Intuitive and Observant personality types, there are differences of opinion regarding the value of imagination and ideas. Observant types, especially Sentinels, consider hard work and concrete achievements to be indicators of accomplishment and may view Analysts’ ability to generate ideas and engage in strategic thinking as less substantial work. All this may combine to give many Analyst personalities the idea that they aren’t being respected as they should be.
Diplomats (60%)
Diplomats are also Intuitive personality types, and, similar to Analysts, they often don’t feel fully appreciated by others. But they struggle with this feeling slightly less than Analysts because of their higher levels of empathy. Their Intuitive trait combined with their Feeling trait gives them the ability to understand what others may be leaving unsaid by picking up on underlying messages or reading body language.
Explorers and Sentinels (44% each)
Explorers and Sentinels reported greater satisfaction with the respect they receive from others, largely due to their Observant trait. For these personality types, concepts like achievement, success, and respect are largely black-and-white. People either blatantly disrespect you, or they do not. Unlike Intuitive types, Explorers and Sentinels are much less likely to read into potential underlying messages when conversing with others, so unless someone does or says something that concretely portrays disrespect, these personalities are unlikely to feel disrespected.
Strategies
Constant Improvement (68% agreeing)
Individuals with Turbulent Identities were significantly more likely than Assertive types to feel as though they are not given the respect that they deserve. Both Introverted and Turbulent, members of the Constant Improvement Strategy are often the least confident personality types. Unlike their Assertive counterparts, Constant Improvers tend to base their self-confidence on their performance, feeling as though they have not succeeded unless they have achieved perfection. This lack of confidence not only causes Constant Improvers to feel as though they do not receive respect, but it may also prevent these personalities from actually being respected, due to their insecure appearance.
The personality types most likely to agree with our statement – Turbulent Architects (INTJ-T) and Logicians (INTP-T) (79% and 77%) – are exceptionally prone to feeling as though they do not receive the respect that they deserve. They place incredible value on their intellectual abilities and strategic thinking, and when others do not appear to appreciate these abilities, they are often offended. As Introverted Analysts, their interpersonal skills may also do them few favors, as they have a tendency to come off as impatient, judgmental, or sarcastic when others seem unable to follow their thought process. This behavior can be demeaning, making these personality types less likely to be respected by others.
Social Engagement (63%)
Also Turbulent personalities, members of the Social Engagement Strategy are again less likely to be self-assured than Assertive types. For these Extraverted types, much of their self-confidence comes from how others view them. The opinions of others and their social status are extremely important to Social Engagers, and, like Constant Improvers, their lack of confidence likely leads to not only feeling less respected but actually receiving less respect as well.
Turbulent Commanders (ENTJ-T) (75%), for example, rely on others to make them feel confident, but their difficulty dealing with their own emotions and their sometimes critical and demanding behavior can alienate them from those whose respect they seek to gain.
Confident Individualism (43%)
Types who belong to the Confident Individualism Strategy are more self-assured than their Turbulent counterparts, due to their Assertive Identity. While Confident Individualists tend not to care about others’ opinions or to tie their sense of self-worth to their performance, these personality types are still not as likely as Extraverted People Masters to feel as though they receive the respect that they deserve. Introverted types can often feel overlooked and misunderstood, especially in environments where Extraverted behaviors are considered successful and respectable.
Assertive Defenders (ISFJ-A) (34%) and Adventurers (ISFP-A) (33%) were significantly more apt to feel respected, due to their Observant and Feeling personality traits. Both Defenders and Adventurers are sociable and likable, creating bonds with those around them. Assertive Architects (INTJ-A) (56%) fall on the other end of the spectrum, preferring to avoid interaction with others and focus their energy on developing ideas and strategies. The combination of Intuitive behaviors and a lack of social interaction prevents Architects, even Assertive ones, from feeling or receiving the respect that they desire.
People Mastery (36%)
Members of the People Mastery Strategy are confident in their abilities and people skills, because of their Extraverted and Assertive personality traits. People Masters’ self-assuredness and likability draw others to them, resulting in greater respect, whether it is deserved or not. Respect can be earned by working hard and being a good person, or it can be freely given based on status or popularity. People Masters, therefore, are the most likely personality types to be respected and to feel as though they are receiving the respect that they deserve.
This is the case for both Assertive Entertainers (ESFP-A) (28%) and Consuls (ESFJ-A) (25%), who were the personality types least likely to agree with our statement and who are both extremely self-confident and sociable. Both types are generally focused on bringing value to others through their social interactions, so respect can often be well deserved. There is the potential, however, for types who are overly confident to take advantage of the respect that they receive from others and use it for personal gain. There is a fine line between honoring the respect of others and utilizing it to meet personal, potentially selfish needs.
Conclusions
Confidence and commonality appear to play the most significant roles in feeling respected and, more than likely, in receiving respect as well. Intuitive types (Analysts and Diplomats) make up only 26% of the total population, making their personality traits much less common than Observant types. When a society is dominated by a particular personality trait, such as the Observant trait, individuals whose strengths lie on a very different plane may not be valued as much. The ability of Intuitive types to think in the abstract, generate ideas, and think strategically is often seen as impractical by Observant types, because these skills do not necessarily provide the concrete, factual results that they value.
Being self-assured also increases the feeling of being respected, and likely increases the receipt of respect in return, because of the tendency that people have to show respect to those who appear confident, important, or popular. Assertive personality types exude confidence, making them appear more respectable than the less self-assured Turbulent types.
What is clear from this data is that self-respect is necessary to receive respect from others. Even those personality types who feel that their strengths are not valued by others should continue to respect and value themselves. As Baltasar Gracian advised, “Respect yourself if you would have others respect you.”
What about you? Do you think your personality type plays a role in how respected you feel? Share your thoughts in the comments below.