Many options are available for personality assessments, but this blog will examine two options: the Birkman Method and the Five Voices Personality Assessment. As a Birkman Certified Professional (BCP), I often get asked how the Birkman Method compares to other assessments, and blogs like this help facilitate conversations with friends and colleagues. Both assessments offer valuable insights into individual and team dynamics but differ in their methodologies, outcomes, and practical applications. This blog will explore the pros and cons of each, helping you determine which might be more suited to your needs.

The Birkman Method: An Overview

The Birkman Method, developed by Roger Birkman in the 1950s, is a comprehensive personality assessment tool that combines behavioral and occupational insights. It deeply explains an individual's usual behavior, underlying needs, stress behavior, and career interests. The Birkman Method is used widely in organizational development, team building, and leadership coaching. I think it has many applications in career coaching as well because of its integration with O-NET and the available job titles report leveraging a person’s interest and personality scores.

Pros of the Birkman Method:

1. Depth of Insight: One of the most significant advantages of the Birkman Method is its depth. It doesn't just focus on observable behavior but also uncovers the underlying needs and stress triggers that drive that behavior. This depth allows for a more nuanced understanding of individuals, which can be crucial for personal development and team dynamics. Have you ever heard of someone who can dish it out but can’t take it? If so, this explains how behavior and needs can be different.
2. Comprehensive Reporting: The Birkman Method generates detailed reports that provide insights into various aspects of personality, including communication style, decision-making preferences, and motivational factors. These reports can be invaluable for leaders and coaches looking to develop tailored strategies for team management and individual development.
3. Versatility: The Birkman Method is highly versatile, and you can apply it in various contexts, from leadership development to career counseling and team building. Its insights are relevant across industries and roles, making it a valuable tool for organizations of all sizes. I was first exposed to Birkman as a talent acquisition tool when I applied for a role at Cox Enterprises. and on my first day on the job, we had a team session with a Birkman consultant, and it was an invaluable start for a new role to be able to understand your colleagues.
4. Non-Judgmental Language: The Birkman Method uses non-judgmental language, which is essential for fostering a positive environment in team settings. This approach encourages open communication and reduces the likelihood of defensiveness, leading to more productive conversations about development. The non-judgmental approach helped me work better with colleagues at Cox and also coach my team at Cox and NCR to drive employee engagement.
5. Comparison Reports: When various members of a team have completed the Birkman you have the ability to complete comparison reports for two individuals or for the entire team. Once a teammates understand the needs of other team members they can improve their effectiveness via communication and collaboration. Birkman has also recently introduced a product called Birkman Enterprise that is more focused on businesses that comes with an online tool to help Birkman permeate the organization. The tool allows employees to look at the data of other team members and build virtual teams to understand Birkman data.

Cons of the Birkman Method:

1. Complexity: The Birkman Method's depth and comprehensiveness can also be a drawback. The assessment and its reports are complex and may require professional interpretation to understand and fully apply the insights. This complexity can add to the cost and time needed to use the tool effectively. It can take a couple of hours to walk someone through their results, but on the positive side, when learning about yourself, time passes quickly.
2. Cost: The Birkman Method is a premium tool, and its cost can be a barrier for smaller organizations or individuals. The expense includes the assessment and the services of a certified Birkman consultant to interpret the results. As of the writing of this Blog, Birkman’s retail cost is $175 per person. This can be expensive compared to other tools that are essentially free online, but the depth of the information is very valuable.
3. Time-Consuming: The Birkman Method can be time-consuming due to its detailed nature. The assessment takes longer than many other personality tests, and the in-depth reports require time to digest and implement effectively. The questionnaire takes about 30 minutes to complete, and depending on how much you like details, you can spend anywhere from 2 to 20 hours going through all the different pieces. Time flies when you are learning about yourself.

The Five Voices Personality Assessment: An Overview

The Five Voices Personality Assessment, developed by GiANT Worldwide, is a more recent entrant into personality assessments. GiANT designed it to be a simple yet powerful tool for improving team communication and collaboration. The Five Voices framework categorizes individuals into five "voices": Nurturer, Creative, Guardian, Connector, and Pioneer. While I have never taken this assessment, I know several people that believe in it wholeheartedly and I have heard good things about it. Here are some pros and cons based on my research.

Pros of the Five Voices Personality Assessment:

1. Simplicity: One of the most appealing aspects of the Five Voices assessment is its simplicity. The framework is easy to understand and communicate, making it accessible to a broad audience. This simplicity allows teams to grasp and apply the concepts in their daily interactions quickly.
2. Focus on Communication: The Five Voices assessment focuses on improving team communication. By understanding the dominant and quieter "voices" within a team, leaders can ensure that they hear and value all perspectives, leading to more inclusive decision-making processes.
3. Cost-Effective: Compared to the Birkman Method, the Five Voices assessment is more affordable, making it a more accessible option for smaller organizations or teams with limited budgets.
4. Immediate Application: The simplicity of the Five Voices framework means that teams can start applying the insights immediately. There is less need for professional interpretation, allowing quicker implementation and tangible results.

Cons of the Five Voices Personality Assessment:

1. Limited Depth: While the Five Voices assessment is easy to use, its simplicity can also be a limitation. It doesn't offer the same depth of insight as the Birkman Method, particularly when understanding individuals' underlying needs and stress behaviors. This simplicity might limit effectiveness in complex team dynamics or leadership development scenarios.
2. Generalization: The Five Voices framework, by design, categorizes individuals into broad types. While this can be useful for communication, it may oversimplify the complexity of human behavior. Some individuals may find that they don't fit neatly into one of the five categories, which could limit the assessment's relevance for them.
3. Less Versatile: The Five Voices assessment focuses on improving team communication and collaboration. While this is valuable, it may not be as versatile as the Birkman Method for career counseling or leadership and executive coaching applications.

The Birkman Method and the Five Voices Personality Assessment offer valuable insights for individuals and teams but serve different purposes. The Birkman Method provides a comprehensive understanding of personality, making it ideal for leadership development, team building, and career counseling. However, its complexity and cost may be barriers for some since the price per assessment is $175. On the other hand, the Five Voices Personality Assessment is a simple, accessible tool that excels at improving team communication and collaboration. While it may not offer the same depth of insight, its affordability and ease of use make it an attractive option for teams looking for immediate, practical results.

Choosing between these tools depends on your needs, goals, and resources. The Birkman Method may be better if you need a detailed, nuanced understanding of personality for leadership or organizational development. However, the Five Voices assessment could be the perfect fit if your primary goal is to enhance team communication and inclusivity quickly and cost-effectively.

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