Why Relying on Personality Labels Could Be Sabotaging Your Career Growth

 What if your personality test is the reason you’re stuck—and don’t even know it?

Been told you’re “not leadership material”? Think you’re “too introverted for sales”? Popular tests like Myers-Briggs and the Enneagram might be boxing you in—and quietly sabotaging your career decisions.

In this episode, psychologist and researcher Dr. Shannon Sauer-Zavala pulls back the curtain on the science behind personality—and explains how the labels we trust most often do more harm than good.

💡 You’ll learn:

• Why most personality tests are flawed and what to use instead
• How to shift traits like confidence or assertiveness—even if they’ve never felt natural
• How to stop letting labels define you and start shaping your future intentionally

If you’ve ever felt stuck, misjudged, or held back because of who you think you are—this episode will change how you see yourself, and your career.

🔗 Explore growth tools: Personality Compass
📱 Connect with Dr. Shannon: @self.made.personality

🎧 Tap play now—because the version of you that’s waiting to grow deserves a chance to break through.

Listen Up!

Transcript

Olajumoke Fatoki: Hello and welcome back to the Thrive Careers Podcast. I'm your host, Olajumoke Fatoki—an HR professional, career coach, and someone who is deeply passionate about helping people build careers they are truly passionate about.

Let me ask you a quick question: Have you ever taken a personality test like Myers-Briggs, the Enneagram, or DISC and thought, "This just isn't me"? Maybe you walked away feeling boxed in or doubting your fit for a particular role. I've been there too.

But what if those results aren’t the full picture? What if they're actually holding you back?

Today’s guest is here to challenge the way we think about personality—and more importantly, how we use or misuse it in our careers. I'm thrilled to be joined by Dr. Shannon Sauer-Zavala, a clinical psychologist and professor at the University of Kentucky. She’s here to share real, research-backed insights into how our personalities develop, shift, and grow.

This episode is for anyone who has ever felt stuck in a label and is ready to grow beyond it. Dr. Shannon, welcome to the Thrive Careers Podcast.

Dr. Shannon Sauer-Zavala: It’s so great to be here. I’m excited to have this conversation.

Olajumoke Fatoki: Thank you! So, we always kick off with a fun question: If your career journey were a movie, what would the title be and why?

Dr. Shannon Sauer-Zavala: Haha! Maybe... "A Lazy Girl’s Guide to Success in Academia."

Olajumoke Fatoki: I love that! Academia and "lazy" don’t usually go together—I’m curious to hear more. But first, let’s dive into today’s topic.

Personality tests are almost standard in hiring and career coaching. Yet, you’ve said they can be misleading. Can you walk us through what people often get wrong about them?

Dr. Shannon Sauer-Zavala: Absolutely. Not all personality tests are bad, but the ones that have gone mainstream—like Myers-Briggs or the Enneagram—often lack scientific backing. The research suggests they don’t reliably predict job success. They're not even consistent; someone can take a test twice and get different results.

These tests also force people into rigid categories. But people don’t exist in boxes—we exist on continuums. You’re not just an introvert or an extrovert. And when people internalize these labels, they start limiting themselves. As a psychologist, I've seen clients say, "I can't be assertive because I'm an INFJ," and that’s a problem.

Olajumoke Fatoki: That’s powerful. So let’s go deeper. What does research say about how fixed our personalities really are?

Dr. Shannon Sauer-Zavala: Great question. First, there are scientifically valid personality measures, but they're less flashy. In terms of change, personality is more flexible than we think. On average, people become more conscientious, emotionally stable, and open-minded as they age.

Personality is your characteristic way of thinking, feeling, and behaving. If you change your habits, thoughts, and behaviors consistently over time, your personality begins to shift.

Olajumoke Fatoki: That leads to my next question: If someone wants to grow into a role that doesn’t fit their current personality, how do they start?

Dr. Shannon Sauer-Zavala: Start by understanding where you are. Tools like the Five-Factor Model are more reliable and available online, including on my site: personality-compass.com.

Then look at people you admire in your desired role. Identify the traits they exhibit. What are you doing now? What would you need to do more or less of to bridge that gap?

Change begins with behavioral experiments. If you think you're not a leader, challenge that belief. Speak up in two meetings this week and observe the result. The goal is to create small, consistent actions that shift your behavior and self-perception.

Olajumoke Fatoki: That’s so helpful. And what are the traits most commonly linked to long-term success?

Dr. Shannon Sauer-Zavala: Conscientiousness is a big one—being reliable and organized correlates with better health, education, and income. But even traits like neuroticism, in moderate doses, can drive success because they signal importance and urgency.

Ultimately, the "best" traits depend on your values and the career you want. An artist may benefit from openness; a structural engineer, from consistency. It’s all about fit.

Olajumoke Fatoki: And if someone listening feels stuck and wants to change—where should they begin?

Dr. Shannon Sauer-Zavala: Start by taking a validated personality assessment. Then reflect on the traits you admire in others who have the career you want. Identify limiting beliefs, and replace them with action.

Most importantly, track what happens next. Are you proud? Did someone respond positively? That emotional reinforcement helps solidify the new behavior.

Olajumoke Fatoki: That example of following someone you admire really resonated with me. Do you have a personal story that brings this to life?

Dr. Shannon Sauer-Zavala: Yes! At mid-career, I considered stepping into a leadership role. I realized my lack of tact held me back. I admired a colleague who could raise tough issues diplomatically. I studied how she did it, paused before reacting, and adapted my approach. It helped me grow into that leadership space.

Olajumoke Fatoki: So powerful. Final question: what’s one myth about personality you wish we could retire forever?

Dr. Shannon Sauer-Zavala: That personality is fixed. It’s not. You can change.

Olajumoke Fatoki: And what’s a trait you’ve worked hardest to build?

Dr. Shannon Sauer-Zavala: Conscientiousness. I used to skip classes in high school. But once I found something I loved—psychology—I applied myself, and the reinforcement changed how I saw myself.

Olajumoke Fatoki: Final rapid-fire: What’s one career advice you think is overrated?

Dr. Shannon Sauer-Zavala: "You have the same 24 hours as Beyoncé." No, you don’t. You don’t have her team. Real success is about doing the right things, not everything.

Olajumoke Fatoki: Mic drop! Dr. Shannon, thank you so much. Any final message?

Dr. Shannon Sauer-Zavala: Let your dreams dictate the traits you develop—not the other way around.

Olajumoke Fatoki: Incredible. Thank you so much for joining us. And to our listeners: If today’s episode challenged your thinking, share it with someone you care about. And as always, keep thriving!