Impact of Personality: Understanding How We Affect Others to Boost Workplace Success The impact of personality in the workplace goes far beyond individual behavior—it shapes team dynamics, communication, motivation, and ultimately business success. In Episode 8 of the TRAITS Podcast, Fraser Engel shares his extensive experience helping leaders and employees understand how their personalities affect those around them and how self-awareness can become a catalyst for positive change. Fraser begins by discussing how people often have an innate sense of who they are, yet may lack full self-awareness of how their actions and communication styles impact others. He highlights the value of objective personality assessments in holding up a mirror that shows individuals how they truly come across in the workplace. A key insight Fraser shares is the balance between self-awareness and curiosity. While people may recognize their traits, the willingness to explore and adapt those traits is essential to meaningful growth and better interpersonal relationships. Fraser emphasizes that motivation to change often comes from within, and managers can facilitate this by asking questions that engage employees’ internal drive rather than imposing directives. Throughout the episode, Fraser illustrates how understanding personality impact helps leaders communicate more effectively, manage diverse teams, and reduce conflicts. He shares real-life examples, including a remarkable story of a leader who transformed from being a "bad fit" to the CEO of a company by leveraging self-awareness and coaching. Fraser also touches on the importance of mastering assessment tools and the need for proper training to realize their full benefits. He warns that without skilled facilitation, even the best tools may fail to deliver their potential impact. For HR professionals, managers, and business leaders, this episode offers practical guidance on how to use personality insights to improve communication, foster motivation, and create healthier organizational cultures. It’s a compelling reminder that the human side of business—understanding people and their impact—is the foundation for lasting success. Show Notes 0:00 Intro to the episode 2:00 Intro to Fraser Engel 3:34 How do our personalities in the workplace affect others around us? 5:00 How do we help people in our workplace understand their impact on others? 7:50 A way to help people see themselves in the mirror (and their impact on others) 12:50 Once people see themselves more clearly… how do we help motivate them to change certain behaviours? 17:08 Help for placing that mirror in front of others in an organization 19:30 Without a capable facilitator for people, the best tools can be wasted: We need training 24:00 The value of mastering the tools we are using in our business 28:10 An example: A “bad fit” to CEO of an organization 30:10 Ways to connect with Fraser Learn more about the Impact of Personality Learn More About Assessments tools Fraser Engel LinkedIn Mindworks Consulting website

Ask this episode

“What did the council decide on item 42?” — answered with the speaker and the moment.

Transcript

Related