Shape a personality to get results in business

Are you a squiggle or a triangle? Working out the shape of someone's personality is the key to succeeding in business, according to a corporate trainer.

Bev Mileham, biz-group's general manager. Jeffrey E Biteng / The National

Perhaps you have never considered the shape of your personality.

But working out how to spot whether someone is a triangle, squiggle, box or circle could help you succeed in business, according to biz-group, a corporate training company based in Dubai.

The shapes represent distinctly different personalities, said Bev Mileham, biz-group's general manager.

Triangles are outgoing, task-orientated types who can be domineering, decisive and demanding. "They are the more focused go-getters, movers and shakers of the world. They make things happen," she said.

Triangles set themselves clear goals and work towards achieving them. But they are not natural listeners and often struggle with sensitive issues.

Squiggles are also outgoing but they are more people-orientated in their approach. They tend to be optimistic, fun-loving and creative people who are able to influence and inspire others. However, squiggles can have problems planning and meeting deadlines and connecting with people who are slower than themselves.

"Your circles are the carers of the world," said Ms Mileham. They tend to be calm, good listeners and mediators who are sensitive, submissive and self-sacrificing. However, they can struggle to get people to agree to actions and can be walked over by others, particularly triangles.

Boxes, the final type, are task-orientated and reserved. They are perfectionists who like lists and pay great attention to detail. But they are weaker when it comes to handling conflict or emotion in business and managing brainstorming meetings.

No one shape is better than the other as each plays a role and has its own strengths.

Most people are a mix but you will have a stronger score in at least one, said Ms Mileham, a squiggle-triangle, apparently.

Knowing the difference between the shapes is vital in business, both for team-building and dealing with clients.

"When you can identify what your prospect is or your client is, like a box, [you will know that they are] going to want to know all the facts," said Ms Mileham.

Boxes are all about the detail, whereas triangles, who are decisive, focus on the end result.

If you suspect your client is a circle, spend time asking about their family and where they come from, but you better let squiggles do the talking, she said.

Once you understand the personality traits of the shapes it is easier to spot the tell-tale signs.

"You can pick [them] up by the way they are working and communicating," said Ms Mileham.

"You might not be 100 per cent accurate but you can get a feeling as to what their preference would be," she added.