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595 reviews for:
Reading People: How Seeing the World Through the Lens of Personality Changes Everything
Anne Bogel
3.78 AVERAGE
595 reviews for:
Reading People: How Seeing the World Through the Lens of Personality Changes Everything
Anne Bogel
3.78 AVERAGE
Probably most enjoyable if you've already typed yourself in at last some of the methods mentioned or if you do so as you go. I loved the wrap-up and her guidance for using personality frameworks not to be put in a box but to pull yourself out of it. There is still a lot of work to be done on your own, so prepare for that.
This is a nice, light introduction to some of the most popular personality frameworks, including but not limited to Meyers-Briggs, the Enneagram, and StrengthsFinder. If you're already familiar with all the frameworks she covers, there's not much new to get from the book — the only ones that were new to me were the cousins of MBTI: Keirsey temperaments and cognitive functions. This means the book isn't really aimed at personality junkies so much as those who are interested but not yet very knowledgable.
Bogel's organization of this book is well thought out, as she starts out with those with only two options (introvert/extrovert, HSP/not) and gradually works up to the more complex frameworks. She also introduces StrengthsFinder before talking about the Enneagram, which focuses more on weaknesses. I was a little surprised she didn't include Gretchen Rubin's Four Tendencies (she does reference Better Than Before once), but I guess that one hasn't been subject to years of research the way these other frameworks have.
The book suffers from the hallmark of its genre: the weak analogy. Where possible, Bogel draws on actual examples of how the personality frameworks have been at play in her own life, which is excellent. At other times, though, she needs another personal anecdote to break up a dry stretch, which leads to analogies like "not typing yourself correctly is like how badly I park in a parking garage" and "learning about your weaknesses through the Enneagram is as embarrassing as when my brother-in-law overheard me singing." Also, because the book doesn't have to be read straight through, Bogel repeats herself at times; at least three separate times she tells you how personality frameworks don't trap you in a box, they allow you to open the box and step out. I'm not sure either of these aspects could really be avoided, but they did make this feel more like another pop psychology book than the well-researched guide it is.
If you haven't already typed yourself on everything from Meyers-Briggs (I'm ISFJ) to Enneagram (I'm a 1) to StrengthsFinder (I'm Learner, Achiever, Responsibility, Discipline, and Harmony) and are looking for a comprehensive but easy-to-read guide on the frameworks out there, I highly recommend this book!
Bogel's organization of this book is well thought out, as she starts out with those with only two options (introvert/extrovert, HSP/not) and gradually works up to the more complex frameworks. She also introduces StrengthsFinder before talking about the Enneagram, which focuses more on weaknesses. I was a little surprised she didn't include Gretchen Rubin's Four Tendencies (she does reference Better Than Before once), but I guess that one hasn't been subject to years of research the way these other frameworks have.
The book suffers from the hallmark of its genre: the weak analogy. Where possible, Bogel draws on actual examples of how the personality frameworks have been at play in her own life, which is excellent. At other times, though, she needs another personal anecdote to break up a dry stretch, which leads to analogies like "not typing yourself correctly is like how badly I park in a parking garage" and "learning about your weaknesses through the Enneagram is as embarrassing as when my brother-in-law overheard me singing." Also, because the book doesn't have to be read straight through, Bogel repeats herself at times; at least three separate times she tells you how personality frameworks don't trap you in a box, they allow you to open the box and step out. I'm not sure either of these aspects could really be avoided, but they did make this feel more like another pop psychology book than the well-researched guide it is.
If you haven't already typed yourself on everything from Meyers-Briggs (I'm ISFJ) to Enneagram (I'm a 1) to StrengthsFinder (I'm Learner, Achiever, Responsibility, Discipline, and Harmony) and are looking for a comprehensive but easy-to-read guide on the frameworks out there, I highly recommend this book!
I ❤ Anne Bogel's podcasts: One Great Book and What Should I Read Next. I would recommend those to anybody anytime.
That being said, I did not enjoy this book. It was full of too much pop-psychology and not enough hard science.
That being said, I did not enjoy this book. It was full of too much pop-psychology and not enough hard science.
A good summary of various personality frameworks. The only thing missing is the Hogwarts House Sorting Hat! No seriously, I enjoy these types of things and find them useful. The only personality type that is truly missing is a chapter on birth order b/c that is an indicator that has actually made a difference in my personal journey.
I read this as a rental from the library but I am going to purchase it so that I can go back and reference things!
A good book to have on hand in your purse or car as you don’t need to read the chapters consecutively or even completely. This is an overview of many different personality frameworks (introvert/extrovert, highly-sensitive, love languages, keirsey’s temperaments, myers-briggs, mbti, clifton, enneagram). The author gives resources and plenty of “next steps” for each different method so this is a beneficial place to begin a personality-defining journey. Lots of personal anecdotes to go along with each chapter so if you don’t identify with Anne (which is ok, she reminds her readers over and over, because no one personality is better than any other; we are all separate, individual people) some stories might not be that helpful, though her enneagram chapter helped me to definitively say that I am not a 9 when I was previously on the fence about it.
Great overview of Personality types of all kinds, great place to start.
The title of this book is on point.
This is a wonderful overview of the various personality frameworks out there: MBTI, StrengthsFinder, Enneagram, Love Languages, etc. I'm a bit obsessive over personality tests so I've heard a lot of this before, but I would recommend it. And if you ever want to discuss personality frameworks, I'm there.
P.S. If you were curious: INFP, Adaptability-Ideation-Strategic-Deliberative-Maximizer, Quality Time, 9, self-proclaimed Hufflepuff
This is a wonderful overview of the various personality frameworks out there: MBTI, StrengthsFinder, Enneagram, Love Languages, etc. I'm a bit obsessive over personality tests so I've heard a lot of this before, but I would recommend it. And if you ever want to discuss personality frameworks, I'm there.
P.S. If you were curious: INFP, Adaptability-Ideation-Strategic-Deliberative-Maximizer, Quality Time, 9, self-proclaimed Hufflepuff
I liked a previous book I’d read by the author. This wasn’t what I was expecting but I’m not disappointed.
I'm a huge fan of Anne Bogel's "What Should I Read Next" podcast and was glad to 'hear' her voice in this first book. This book is a great primer for anyone interested in learning about the different personality frameworks. Anne talks about what resources she found helpful, key questions or ways she was able to access them and identify her types, and how to apply the information to everyday life and relationships. It strikes a good balance of providing detailed information without being dense, serious introspection balanced with humor. The audiobook is read by Anne, which I would recommend as well.