The workplace, and people's roles within it, are not static. We are constantly asked to change our direction and our expectations. This kind of change can create fear and resentment as we are asked to perform tasks and take on responsibilities we feel we aren't ready for. This change in duty can be frightening, but as the very first U.S. President showed, it is possible to take on a new role and succeed. Knowing yourself and your limitations is the key to success. George Washington went from military leader to political leader in a short amount of time; by knowing his strengths. Through his ability to inspire the people around him and strong sense of organizational administration skills, he was able to set a presidential precedent that has inspired all those who have followed him in that role.

The self-awareness he showed is one of the most important aspects of his story. By knowing oneself, we can be just as successful in difficult times. The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) is an instrument created to provide a language to help people understand different personalities and how their differing personalities affect relationships - both personal and professional. By knowing ourselves and understanding our personality type, we can become better performers as well as solve conflicts that exist because of differing personality type.

Becoming more insightful, whether by taking an assessment such as MBTI or just having a period of self-reflection will yield positive results.

Take the time to become more aware of the advantages and disadvantages your personality type offers in the workplace. By realizing how different we all are, we can build a better understanding and rapport in the workplace. Ask your colleagues if they have had difficulty understanding how you communicate. By opening a dialogue about everyone's different working styles, a better understanding can be reached.