The importance of looking at psychology and personality types in the workplace - or for any career choice - is paramount to predicting whether a person's career path or business will be successful.
Am I a fortune teller or mind reader? Ok, so you might think of this as a strange title.
You may also be wondering what on earth running a home business or small business has to do with fortune telling (a whole lot, if you are a clairvoyant!) Let me tell you a little story which may help explain...
Twelve months ago I was introduced to a woman, let's call her 'Janine'.
Janine was a friend of a friend, and about to embark on a new business venture.
It was a small business, no need to employ anyone.
It cost Janine $7,000 for the business.
I am curious by nature.
I always ask questions about a person as I am genuinely interested in what they do and how they do it.
We can always learn by others, and I remain open minded about learning new things every day.
I don't enjoy idle gossip, I just love hearing about other peoples journeys.
Anyway, I spent an enjoyable afternoon with my friend and Janine for a few hours, over lunch.
When I got home my friend called me to ask what I thought of Janine.
I was honest.
Now, let me describe Janine for you first of all.
Janine had the following personality traits:

• Naturally quiet
• Did not enjoy networking
• Never read the paper or magazines
• A little on the gloomy side (in other words not a positive gal)
• Not very creative
• Loved procedures and was 'The Queen' of list making
• Hated taking risks and was an excellent saver
• Did not participate in social media and never used Facebook or twitter
• Not a fan of change, very fond of the Status Quo (not the band, shame, I love them).
  

I said to my friend that within 12 months Janine's business would have failed.
Janine would blame everyone but herself for the failure.
Janine would not really learn anything from her experience and would say she was much better suited to a full time job anyway.
My friend laughed and, knowing me very well, said she was going to keep me updated and in this case hoped I was wrong.
Bring us forward 6 months later.
What do you think happened to Janine? The business failed (actually it didn't ever really get off the ground).
Janine blamed the company that sold her the business.
She was now working full time in the accounts department of a marketing company and loved her job.
My friend believes I am a Fortune Teller! In fact, she went as far as to buy me a pack of tarot cards and suggest I start a new business in predicting the future! Can I read minds? Well, sort of, yes.
But no, not in the mystic way the words 'Read Minds' might conjure up.
I could almost guarantee what would happen to Janine because of her personality type.
How? Well, psychology is an incredibly interesting field of study and one I could write about for days.
There have been countless studies undertaken, and there are thousands of books and articles on the Psychology of Business.
And I can tell you that Janine's personality type screamed''Introvert''.
Is an introvert personality type suited to building their own business? The odds are not great.
I cant say it is the case 100% of the time, but 9 times out of 10 that is true, that the wrong personality type/career mix will fail - hence my ability to accurately predict Janine's future.
So What Personality Type is Suited to Running their Own Business? I can give you one word to sum it up: PASSION Obviously, there is a lot more to it.
And, contrary to popular belief, I don't necessarily think you have to conform to the personality type of an entrepreneur to succeed at self employment or to build a thriving small business.
However, if you are passionate about the service you are offering, or the goods you are selling; if you are not someone that needs daily routine; if you understand that life can be a rollercoaster (as can your finances be when you are self employed); and you get a thrill from any little achievement - then self employment may just be for you! Here are some of the key personality traits that will serve very handy if you want to work for yourself:

• Self motivating
• Driven
• Forward thinking
• Enjoy people
• Good communicator
• Creative or a good brainstormer
• Determined
• Dedicated

Of course, should your business grow, then I highly recommend hiring people that will enhance your business and offer a new and exciting range of skills to your company.
That is another article.
You will find some fantastic and free Career and Personality Tests on the web.
Even if it is purely for fun, do some research, maybe the insight you gain will send you on a new and exciting path - one perfectly suited to your personality.