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The Personality Code

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A revolutionary approach to success and fulfillment-already being used by hundreds of thousands of individuals and organizations-now available for the first time in an accessible, practical book.

The Personality Code clearly and persuasively demonstrates how personality determines why we do what we do and how we can maximize our strengths, work smarter with others, and profit from better relationships in our careers.

Based on the IDISC(tm) Personality Profile-an updated and rigorously validated proprietary version of DISC, the world's most popular form of personality testing-the book provides insights and strategies for individuals and organizations that promote self-awareness and foster excellence.

Readers will have free access to the online IDISC(tm) Personality Profile (each book will include a unique code number), which will reveal their own profiles from among the fourteen personality types that have been refined and defined through the author's decade-long international study involving more than five hundred thousand participants.

Travis Bradberry shows readers how to discern the fixed characteristics that explain three-quarters of human behavior. Most important, they will learn how to leverage these traits in order to capitalize on their strengths and sidestep weaknesses in themselves as well as in other people.

224 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2007

54 people are currently reading
10142 people want to read

About the author

Travis Bradberry

31 books1,503 followers
Dr. Travis Bradberry is the award-winning author of the #1 bestselling book, THE NEW EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE. He is a world-renowned expert in emotional intelligence whose books have sold more than 5 million copies.

Dr. Bradberry is a LinkedIn Top Voice with 2.5 million followers on the platform. He has written for, or been covered by, USA Today, The Wall Street Journal, TIME, Bloomberg Businessweek, Fortune, Forbes, Fast Company, The Washington Post, and The Harvard Business Review.

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5 stars
1,205 (42%)
4 stars
721 (25%)
3 stars
608 (21%)
2 stars
208 (7%)
1 star
102 (3%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews
Profile Image for Jen Austin.
72 reviews5 followers
December 7, 2009
I liked this book, and the accompanying online quiz. It confirmed what I already knew - that I'm a diplomat who tries to people please, doesn't like change and doesn't stand up for herself. Oh, well. At least I'm generally liked. That's something, right?
Profile Image for John Martindale.
887 reviews104 followers
February 15, 2016
The personality code started out pretty interesting, giving the example of the identical twins who had the same personality and though raised in different environments, both not only had the same mannerisms but also became body builders and owners of fitness clubs, pretty much the entirety of their life went along the exact same tract. The author pretty much claimed personality will determine ones life and after childhood and personality can't be altered, however, through self-awareness, one can steer ones personality towards success. But yeah, this was a very brief part of the book. I was listening to the audiobook, so there wasn't any code by which one can get the personality test which the rest of the book is based on, if I did, I may have found the bulk of this short book more interesting
Profile Image for Kelly.
233 reviews5 followers
October 16, 2016
Robust methodology but not as in depth or intuitive as other systems/books of its type.

Full disclosure, my copy of the book had a code that had already been used so I couldn't take the quiz. I have a good idea of my type I think, but I might have felt differently if I'd had the full experience.
Profile Image for Kevin Hanks.
420 reviews16 followers
March 28, 2011
Very interesting book that gave me a lot to think about. I really like this idea of learning about your strengths and learning how to build on those strengths. I was first exposed to this concept and the DISC profile from Manager Tools... They offer many excellent ways to put this knowledge into practice, and I've always been curious to learn what foundation they built these recommendations on. I did listen to the book from a cd, and I think there was some important imnformation I missed simply due to the fact that I could not actually take the online profile or myself and more thoroughly study the info in the book with my own profile in hand.
55 reviews4 followers
February 6, 2012
Good... but disappointing that the only way you can get the results it to either buy the book new or to pay for the test (which works out to be alot more expensive than just buying the book). I would have no problem paying for the test separately but I dislike the fact that second hand or library books become useless because of a desire to re-coup maximum profits. It may be a very good way to understand other people but really think they've missed the mark by not allowing for a more reasonable cost on the separately purchased test.
Profile Image for Zac Scy.
54 reviews18 followers
June 18, 2016
Might be good if you want to start understanding yourself (or others) better. However, personality isn't as fixed as the the book portrays. One might as well start with Myers-Briggs personality test (which isn't fixed either) and go on from there.

Not a worthless read by any means, but it needs to be heavily supplemented with other reading as well.
1 review
November 11, 2023
This is the rare book that can literally change your life. The author teaches that by learning to incorporate new emotionally intelligent habits into your life, your brain will form new pathways that make these habits permanent and habitual (not requiring any conscious thought). I find the author's recommendations to be very powerful and I've seen some major changes in my behavior as a result of reading this book. Several members of my friends and family will be getting this book for the holidays this year.
Profile Image for Albert Richard.
6 reviews8 followers
December 27, 2018
After having read this book and taken the test I felt that it was a very underwhelming experience. The test was short and after getting the results I was questioning the accuracy and effectiveness of the test. After receiving the results the descriptions of each personality type is a bit vauge and uninsightful. The Myers-Briggs psychology test, which you can take for free online, is much more insightful and useful. Don't waste your money on this book.
1 review
November 10, 2023
A friend of mine read this book and really enjoyed it and suggested I read it myself. I bought my own copy since each one includes a passcode for you to take an emotional intelligence test. I'm really glad she recommended it! The book has a powerful message that your emotional intelligence is completely under your control. Better yet, the author shows you how to improve your EQ. You can tell he's been doing this a long time. It's a great book.
1 review
November 11, 2023
This book will make you a better person and a better leader. Bradberry unlocks the power of habit formation and makes it accessible to anyone. The author's style is both engaging and approachable. He references fascinating research and compelling real-world examples to drive the points home. I've read many other books on habits, such as Atomic Habits, and this book is right up there with the best of them.
Profile Image for The King of  Clouds.
38 reviews1 follower
April 5, 2020
El problema con este tipo de libros es

1)Que no los disfruto
2)Que tienden a ser muy repetitivos. El mismo argumento una y otra vez, la misma descripción una y otra vez... Y se torna aburrido. Muchas partes innecesarias.

Sin embargo, aporta de cierta manera, tal vez no con la primera leída, a mejorar ciertas actitudes de la persona.
Profile Image for Allison Berkowitz.
473 reviews6 followers
January 14, 2021
I think this might have been more impactful if I had read a physical copy of this book with ability to take the accompanying test that comes with a paid book (I rented an e-copy from the library). Didn't feel like I gleaned much fun this the way I was hoping to. Although the first few chapters were pretty interesting.
Profile Image for Brianna Steinman.
441 reviews58 followers
October 30, 2021
Interesting information surrounding the inner chapters but definitely wasn’t as in-depth as what I was expecting. Good skeleton of information to go off of and a surface glance at each other personality type to work with.
Profile Image for Jennifer M.
838 reviews13 followers
June 21, 2022
The most interesting component was essentially learning about the ability a person can hav etc be more succeessful if they essentially are operating in their gift by recognizing their personality and limitations or capabilities.

If only we all knew our purposed and used it for the greater good!
1 review
November 10, 2023
This book is filled with a truckload of useful, bite-sized advice to help you demonstrate emotional intelligence in all sorts of situations. My wife and my boss have already commented on the changes they've seen in me from reading this book. I couldn't be more pleased with it.
Profile Image for Kristen Gebhart.
92 reviews
August 3, 2025
It was interesting until I went to the website to take the test and they do not offer it - no website any longer. I feel betrayed!

I did learn that your personality fully completes its growth at age 30. And Emotional Intelligence is the only part that continually grows and changes after 30.
Profile Image for John.
1,180 reviews11 followers
February 6, 2018
Am I late to the game or what? This was a good analyses of the 14 different types of people.
Profile Image for Yazo GM.
79 reviews10 followers
August 18, 2020
Very interesting book. Started very strong but at the end got very methodical. Overall a good book to get personality tips
Profile Image for Candida.
1,275 reviews44 followers
February 28, 2023
This is an interesting book. It is helpful and offered lots of insight in dealing with and understanding other personality types.
Profile Image for Mathew Richards.
145 reviews
July 31, 2023
Be sure to do the personality test prior to reading, otherwise very little will make sense.
A potentially useful book for managers and people who like to "read people". Like me.
1 review
November 11, 2023
I learned so much from Emotional Intelligence Habits. I've read Dr. Bradberry's other emotional intelligence books and this is his best one yet, by far! I'd give it more than 5 stars if I could.
84 reviews
May 18, 2024
I wasn’t able to take the test to see what I was. I will try and find my results. I’m sure I’d feel different about the book if I had something to anchor it to.
Profile Image for Matt Burgess.
46 reviews11 followers
May 5, 2010
The Personality Code (2007), Travis Bradberry

The last book in the Quick Start portion of the Personal MBA program is The Personality Code by Travis Bradberry. Bradberry uses a simple formula similar to those found in Now, Discover Your Strengths by Marcus Buckingham and by Tom Rath. First, a case is made for understanding your personality as categorized by the iDISC, which is an improvement to DISC (Dominance, Influence, Steadiness, Conscientiousness) derived from William Marstons original research. Then, you are presented a code to use on their website which allows to take the iDISC assessment and view results. Finally, the book and the website presents explanations, descriptions and strategies centered around your personality.

Although the Personality Code felt like deja vu as the followup to
I would recommend it. It is a quick read with interesting research and entertaining stories, and was surprisingly accurate in identifying my personality which is the point of the exercise. Just like , the Personality Code focuses on the importance of self awareness and how that leads to purpose, satisfaction and success. The 28 questions that make up the assessment rarely had an obvious choice which made me doubtful of its conclusion, but when I read the results I could not disagree.

Click here to see my personality type as defined by the Personality Code iDISC assessment…

Identifying and understanding your personality by taking the assessment and reading about it in this book will bring clarity to many aspects of your life. If you are in any form of management whether that be middle management, parenting, coaching, etc. you will find the breakout chapters helpful. They explain how to work with other personalities and identify conflicting personalities. The Personality Code makes a great reference for this reason. Either now or some time soon you will deal with various personalities. Its highly unlikely you can remember the 14 types of personalities defined by iDISC in this book, so keep a copy to reference later, especially when personalities collide but also to be a constant reminder of who you are.
Profile Image for Amalie.
559 reviews4 followers
April 4, 2017
The most disappointing part of the book is you have to own a brand new book to be able to take the personality test for yourself online. Without a code you really miss being able to apply the majority of the book. I do plan on buying this book though, it was such a great breakdown of different personality types. There are 14 types and they pair them into hard to work together types. In each description of a type they offer the strengths, challenges of each and ways to work with other types and also people of the same type. I could really use this is a quick to refer to boom while teaching students. The book was exceptionally quick to read and really unless you need to figure your own type out, I feel this is best used in reference if a problem would come up between you and another person. The last chapter explained great ideas between two clashing personality types and how to work with them. It specifically helped me formulate a plan on how to work out problems with a current co worker and my struggles with that person.
32 reviews
February 23, 2011
oversimplified 14 types. Self-awareness is the highest soft skill surprises me. I'm of type "enterprenur"?

the important, with ranking from top:

1. self-awareness
2. relationship-management
3. courage
4. self-management
5. communication
6. planning
7. acumen.
8. vision
9. risk-taking
10. rehearsal
11. flexibility
12. values differences
13. research
14. decision-making
15. teamwork
16. results-focus
17. mobilizing others
18. lifelong learning
not that important, continued:
19. social awareness
20. integrity
21. rules
22. credibility
23. information-sharing
24. outcome concern
25. building commitment
26. empowerment

but with Jung career indicator, I'm an idealist, teacher. disappointed
http://www.humanmetrics.com/cgi-win/J...
Your Type is
ENFJ
Extraverted Intuitive Feeling Judging
Strength of the preferences %
56 25 12 22
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Simon Cleveland.
Author 6 books124 followers
October 29, 2008
Great work.
It examines the study of 500,000 people from 94 counties (large sample size), their 123,000 personality combinations and the resulted 14 distinct human personalities.
The advice that appealed to me the most was to become aware of what my personality traits are and focus on using them to my advantage. This idea contrasts sharply with the traditional self-help books where one is encouraged to change to resemble someone he/she will never become.

The book investigates the reasons behind human personality, how and when it solidifies and why we can't change who we are beyond a certain point in our lives. Very intriguing.

I highly recommend it.
Profile Image for Stacy.
885 reviews1 follower
books-i-lost-interest-in
June 6, 2009
This was actually pretty interesting, but it was hard to follow as an audiobook once they started talking about the different personality types. Still, I think it would have been cumbersome to read at that point, because they went into the types so quickly without examples.

There is a quiz you can take online, which I would have liked to do. However, the code to do that wasn't with the library CD.
6 reviews1 follower
December 29, 2007
Much like StrengthsFinder 2.0 this book is really aimed for someone who has not found themselves yet. The book does offer some interesting insights and tips on dealing with other people. This book is also just a delivery vehicle for an access code on the publishers website, where you take the test.
Profile Image for Flo.
277 reviews
October 14, 2017
I enjoy books like this because it makes you aware of the kind of person you are. This is especially useful in the work environment. For example, I learned that I don't like it when I can't control my work environment (i.e. hate one of my coworkers and want him fired). As a result, I get stressed about not getting the results I want.

Profile Image for Mary.
1,513 reviews5 followers
March 13, 2008
I always like personality books and therefore found this one to be quite interesting, but only because I was quite familiar with the research it was based on called IDISC. Otherwise it may not be as interesting to others.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews

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