Can a personality test support personal development – quickly?
Personality tests are mostly used in connection with recruitment. No one wants to make an unsuitable recruitment decision. It is expensive and also results in significant time losses.
However, many people are sceptical about such tests. This is understandable, as many are of poor quality or are administered by users who don’ use them in an appropriate manner.
However, I am very disturbed that tests are not used to provide important insights into one's own personality for good personal development. This presupposes, of course, that it is a good test and also understandable to the layman.
I have such experiences from 1975, when I learned a personality theory that not many people in the world know about. There are several reasons for this. However, I and others have benefited greatly from gaining a clearer picture of my personality, so that I, for example, find it easier to choose a job that I enjoy. I have even used the test to predict how well I and a new partner would get along. Have we good personal chemistry? She agreed to take the test, and we have been together since 1994. In fact, we have not had any destructive conflicts, partly because we understand each other's personalities quite well and their consequences. Of course, we have conflicts, but we deal with them constructively.
During the autumn, I coached a doctor who was referred to me by another doctor. He thought she was a little too depressed. He didn't really recognise her from when they worked together several years ago. She wanted to try the test, so here is the story of that process. Everything was done by email...
You will see the dialogue by email between the client and the coach, who is me Rolf Kenmo, the founder of the HumanGuide concept (1986) There are three persons involved. The client is X. Z is a friend to X. Y is a colleague to X.
Sep 19th 2025 – Email from Z to Rolf.
Dear Rolf
I am participating in a conference. There I met an old colleague, who is a bit low in energy and mood. I thought a personality test could help her. Could you be kind enough to send her your personality test?
I have copied her email. She had agreed to be contacted by email.
Talk to you, soon when I am back in Stockholm.
Best wishes
Z
Sep 19th 2025 – Email from Rolf to Z and X
Z,
I have now sent a test invitation to you X. NOTE! The test can be done in 15 languages. One is Polish, because I have a cooperation partner at the university of Wroclaw - Henryk Jarosiewicz. You choose language in the login process.
I hope that doing the test can support you in some way. Basically there are two ways that can be supportive by doing a personality test as the HumanGuide test.
– to make better life choices by increasing tour self-knowledge
– by learning the personality theory you can improve your cooperation with other people, because you understand their drives better
If you like, then we can have a video meeting about your test result.
When you have done the test, then you will automatically get a test report with six pages. Also I;-)
You will also get a separate email with login info to the supportive web app your.humanguide.se There is also a lot of knowledge on my website – humanguide.com…
Have a nice weekend and good luck,
Rolf
The individual
Sep 19th 2025 – Email from Rolf to X
X,
well. You have now done the test. so I can adopt more to your personality with my comments…
I comment below your test. However, at first some words about the personality and its origin…
According to scientific research the personality is to around 50% based on your parent’s genes. The other part comes from the environment, but with an extreme parent in some way that parent can also influence a child e.g. with an alcoholic father, then increases the factor Sensibility, which is one of the factors in the personality theory Eight boxes. Why it increases? The child needs to make continuously observations of the father, so the child be as secure as possible – the child can be prepared…
You can learn more about the personality theory (its eight factors as Sensibility), which is the foundation of the HumanGuide concept. More information here
https://www.humanguide.org/en/free-knowledge/the-humanguide-concept
X: And I am so afraid of starting new things;)
I would love to do the same thing all around like somebody in a factory;)
Well, if you look at your profile…
Then you see that you have most strengths in the bottom row, which I call reflective. However, you have also two in the upper row, which I call driving. This means that you are mostly reflecting, i.e. thinking at least twice before you do something. In a way there is a struggle between your Imagination and your reflective factors. Most often Imagination is a looser, but that is possible to change…
Anyhow, remember that your personality is like it is and very challenging to change. It is rather stable, so you need to adopt and do the best of it. That is mostly to make good choices, where you consider your personality. When you do a good choice, then you get a high PassionIndex. A pedagogic word, which I have coined. The same with the choice of a life partner… You can use the web app your.humanguide.se in order to check for different jobs how they suits you. I saw that you have used the web app.
This means that if you work with research together with Z, then you will get good cooperation, because I know him and his profile. You can feel secure with him, so you can be more brave;-)
If I think about you as a doctor, then I see many relevant strengths…
Sensibility: You like to serve the patients and also have your senses as a useful resource.
Quality: You like to help. You have a high ambition. You are persistent and don’t give up so easy. Here I also thinking about your speciality in the clinic.
Structure: You strive to get relevant facts. You like to plan, so your actions will work for the patient. You like also to be rational. Moreover, you have no problems to follow regulations and checklists. You are disciplined.
Stability. You think about risks and handle them in a secure way. You also think of the economy for the clinic, so you use their resources in an economic way.
Imagination: You are openminded, but also sceptical (thinking of the factors in the bottom row;-) You can figure out new ways, but then it is important to have a good cooperation with the bottom row…
Exposure: That I am thinking is most relevant, when you teach other people and when you are marketing the clinic.
The two other factors – Power and Contacts – are also needed now and then. There you need good cooperation as support. Perhaps they can be influenced by coaching or therapy. Power is good for results, to dare and speed. Contacts is good for cooperating with other people and enjoy life.
X: I feel often that I have not enough self-confidence. Is is worse than others.
I also easily give up. I cannot manage to do new “big” things.
Look on the comment above.
X: Due to some private split up with somebody
A few years ago I realized that I always run so quickly away from people.
If you have a low Passionindex with a partner, then this will increase the problems for you – as for everyone.
X: And i have huge problems with cooperating with a group of people. I am afraid that they reject me with time , they will see that I am not good enough. This happens again and again. I think that I reject these people…;)
With learning e.g. my concept you will easier cooperate with other people. Especially if they also do my test;-) Then I mean the people, who are most often working with you.
X: Z told me that I become catatonic in a way ;) Many things paralyse me and he thinks that I am too much “structured” in your HumanGuide scale.
As you see above, he was right, but also that there are two more similar factors. Quality and Stability. This can strengthen your Structure.
To understand the background for your personality I need to know more about you.
By the way… My attitude to personal development is that you should at first focus on your strengths. Then you also need to have in mind that the most common cause for obstacles for a person is that they exaggerate their strength. However, you can never get rid of them, i.e. the best way to handle them is to have them in mind, so you reduce these exaggerations as much as possible;-) You can look for specific knowledge here in the web app.
NOTE! I am not a psychotherapist. I only “deliver” useful knowledge. How it can be used to improve a person’s life.
One way to do that you can read my book Let the Personality Bloom (available as an eBook via Amazon). We can also have coaching sessions via video meetings. These are normally around one hour.
I am now looking forward to your comments.
To your success,
Rolf
Sep 20th 2025 – Email from X to Rolf
Rolf,
It is so nice of You to find time;) It helped me a lot;) Thank You;)
I need some time to think about all this;)
I was now with Z in congress - he helped me to gain contacts with my all friends;)
Then it would be wonderful to talk online after a few weeks. I need to read your book first;)))
X
Oct 26th 2025 – Email from Rolf to X
X,
I am curious?
If you have gained something from doing the test: Could you give some type of testimonial?
Cheers,
Rolf
Oct 26th 2025 – Email from X to Rolf
Heyhey;)
Thank You that you remember;)
As You probably have thousands of clients;))
I was thinking a lot about the test consciously and not consciously ;)
Yes, I realised finally that I am a powerwoman ;)
That feeling I lost somehow a few years ago;)
FIRST step is that I believe in it again;)
I was really totally different before;) 10 years ago…
That is so, even if Your book says that one does not really change in life;)
But maybe it was this big stress or change in life, which was the cause.
I realised that lack of two driving factors was maybe just the result of meeting the former boyfriend. Or not really him, but me, how I myself decided to react…
My boyfriend was always saying that he does not want to be two steps behind me…that I am too intelligent, etc
And he was the important Director in a company – responsible for Europe.
So to support him…. You know – the stupid love…;))
I did everything possible to be worse than him
I did not talk with people when standing with him,
I stopped my career,
I quitted university,
I stopped writing scientific papers
I stopped working in some places not to earn too much;))
I stopped meeting my friends which with time already became professors …
With time I did not start new things at all,
as I was afraid of everything.
I was thinking of myself that I am not worth or
I cannot do that.
Incredible;)
It was so much luck that I met Z - and someone believed in me again.
And contacted me with Your super tool – which is simple and faces you with Your strengths and weaknesses;)
I was surprised to see the result of the test. Wow!
I would expect something else about me. Hmmm.
Now I try to get back my driving powers – again;)))
I started again gathering data for scientific works ;)
We already have 40 percent of data for the collaboration needed with Z;)
Now from Monday I have one free week and stay with my parents for holidays ;)
I have Your book on Kindle and tomorrow I will start to read it:))))
I will let You know after reading;)
What i can use from that book;))
And what could be better written ;)
For ladies like me;)))
Oct 26th 2025 – Email from Rolf to X
X,
Thanks, you give me energy🙏
Cheers
Rolf
Oct 26th 2025 – Email from X to Rolf
Thank You ;)
It would be super, but I do not want to bother You too much;)
You wrote in explanations one sentence that really shook me – when you do not have driving factors, you do not dare to act..;)
So Power is not only to have Power at work or home and rule people ;)) it helps you to survive somehow.
And I really felt like somebody has taken my crown down from the head 10 years ago…
So I decided to put the crown again on the head in the right position and go forward;)))
Some people call it also I think the blockade of crown chakra;)
X
The team
Oct 27th 2025 – Email from Rolf to X, Y and Z
Hi X, Y and Z,
I know that you both know Z, who is my friend since many years.
I like openness… So is it OK that I send you a document, where all your profiles are seen for ll of you?
Such openness will simplify your cooperation – faster;-)
Cheers,
Rolf
(The answer: All agreed to see each other profiles).
Oct 28th 2025 – Email from X to Rolf plus copy to Y and Z
Yes sure ;)
Hope that we can cooperate and tests will not show that it will be tough work together ;)
We could understand each other much more ;)
And we will see
Why someone does not react as we would expect;)
Who will check the structure and quality of the work;)
Who would rather organise than work hard with numbers;)
Who would rather work by himself than listen to the boss;)
Who would love to go and sleep in the evening rather stay at work long;)
Who would take care of others who are upset with too much work;)
Who will keep on new Ideas;)
Who will help with constant motivation;)
But it would be boring if we all were the same;)
And our strengths – even of different – can be complimentary;)
X
Oct 28th 2025 – Email from Rolf to X, Y and Z
Hi X, Y and Z,
This was the result as a team… You see them in this order Y, Z and X.
Oct 28th 2025 – Email from X to Rolf plus copy to Y and Z
Very interesting ;) Wow;)
OK, so Z will check our quality all the time ;)
Y will force me to work, when I start to cry that I am not capable to do something;)
Good, she will keep us moving forward;)
No problem , I can hide my Exposure, when it is not much needed;)
I will keep the whole group in stability and structure;)
And with them I do not need to contact the world too much;)))
X
Nov 21st 2025 – Email from Rolf to X, Y and Z
X,
I like to read this;-)
A little follow-up…
You told me that you should go to parents vacation place and there start reading my eBook. Have you? Any comments…
One more thing. The factor Power means of course Power, BUT Quality has also a kind of power. The big difference is that Power characterises by speed and Quality by determination and endurance!!! So you have this power;-) However, Quality can increase the ambition level and then you can hesitate: Is this good enough, so I can act...
Have a nice weekend,
Rolf
Nov 21st 2025 – Email from X to Rolf
Yes, it is true;)
I am more like a German tank … slowly with determination and endurance;) Direction up to goal;))
But some people like that I am so calm and silent. For instance my husband is often hysteric and explosive so easily, that one could be easily frightened of him;;)
And then I am at home I am a phlegmatic animal;)
It takes me so much time to react that I am not frightened at all;) and I do not react at all
My partner calls me a catalysator, which calms him down ;)
But i need to think ten times before I start something and often run away;) Not feeling security enough;)
I will try to be more spontaneous ;)
Your book is perfect.
Now I understand that i can decide about my characteristics. More by myself – not really changing character but modifying things when knowing what to change
Sensibility made me weak very often. I wanted that everybody should like me. That is not possible. I am often too nice to other people. I am trusting them and they just take advantage and go away;)
And good to know Y’s profile…
She seemed so enthusiastic, eager to do things in our scientific work …
but it is … so superficial I see…
She does nothing but visibility and beautiful smile when our chief comes at work…
She has no planning at all and forgets things that she promised to do ( things at work that should be done;)
But she is really good at Contacts and Exposure…;))
Incredible how Your profile helps …
X
Nov 22nd 2025 – Email from Rolf to X
X,
your fast response inspires me;-)
Why not do your husband the test, then his opinion of his personality will be more precise, and you can have great use of the web app together.
Have a great weekend,
Rolf
Nov 22nd 2025 – Email from X to Rolf
I will try to convince him. ;)
But he just thinks that is a perfect alfa male;) and he does not have to change anything
He was 18 years ago in Norway in a Viking weekend for students - he had some psychologic test and proudly answered that he was beautiful yellow and red with no other colours;))
So that explains everything haha ;)
Do we together compilate ideally;)
He does the good impression outside everywhere and I do the rest…
Dec 4th 2025 – Email from Rolf to X
X,
hmmm. Don’t persuade him! There is a better strategy. Talk about your own profile and your conclusions, which could make him curious his own personality. You can also have an opinion about his personality and ask him if he agrees…
By the way a lot of people are afraid of doing tests e.g. they think about performance, BUT no personality is better than the other. It is a matter of matching e.g. with the job, a life partner, etc.
Chers,
Rolf
Dec 4th 2025 – Email from X to Rolf
I will try ;)
X;)
Extra comments from Rolf
Very often, people say that they want their partner to take the test too, so that they can understand each other better. In addition, partners can benefit from increased self-awareness. This is not always the case that the partner take the test. Why?
One obstacle is that many people are afraid of taking tests. It is important to make them understand that a personality test is not like an ability test, because fundamentally, no personality is better than another. It just is. Instead, it is important to realise what it is and its consequences, so that you can take it into account in the best possible way, for example when making decisions.
Another obstacle is that many people may be interested in personal development, but not right now... Personal development is a long-term process, so if you have other problems/tasks that need to be dealt with more urgently, personal development will have to wait until some time later. As a coach, it is important to make them understand that personal development often has immediate benefits in everyday life, for example in your interactions with others...
Good luck!
Rolf
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