Why People Annoy Each Other - And Why it's Good for Your IoT Project

Why Does Michael Scott Hate Toby Flenderson?

For fans of The Office, the rivalry between Michael Scott and Toby Flenderson is legendary. Michael, the well-meaning but often misguided regional manager, seems to harbour an inexplicable animosity toward Toby, the quiet, rule-abiding human resources representative. These differences, as the show's creators brilliantly used to craft hilarious situations, are more than just for laughs. So, how can we apply these insights in real-world business scenarios?

As an IoT provider, we believe that understanding personality traits enhances communication and collaboration, driving success in the workplace and IoT project development.

Step 1: What’s Your Personality Colour?

Before we jump in, take a quick personality test (takes just 5 minutes)! It’s designed to give you a snapshot of your dominant and complementary personality traits. It also reveals how they shape your communication style, actions, and reactions - it does not define who you are as a person!

*For a deeper understanding, feel free to contact a business coach for a more in-depth analysis of your personality profile.  

Done? Great! The two colours with the greatest percentage represent your dominant and complementary personality traits. Scroll down to get a quick interpretation of your results. If you’d like a more detailed explanation, here's an in-depth explanation by Jo Woods, Leadership and Development Coach and founder of Shine Coaching.

Step 2: Understanding the Personality Color Wheel

Based on the personality theories of Carl Gustav Jung and Insights Group’s framework, personalities can be categorized into four colours, each representing specific traits and behaviours. These colours help us understand our dominant tendencies and how we interact with others.

Each colour represents a unique communication style—how you express yourself, the gestures you use, and the aspects of situations you focus on. These distinctions can help explain why certain interpersonal dynamics, like the tension between Michael and Toby, arise. Understanding these differences also sheds light on why some people thrive in particular situations, while others may struggle to connect or be misunderstood.

The personality classification divides individuals into two key factors: extroversion vs. introversion and logic vs. emotion.

• Right side – Extroverts: Energized by interactions, thriving in social situations.

• Left side – Introverts: Prefer solitude and tend to be more introspective.

• Top half – Logical thinkers: Prioritize structure and rationality.

• Bottom half – Emotional thinkers: Value feelings and connections.

These axes divide the spectrum into four colours, each representing a distinct personality type.

Let’s see how the characters from The Office align with each colour:

• Red: Dwight Schrute – Assertive, result-driven, and goal-oriented. Dwight thrives on leadership and control, often taking charge.

• Yellow: Michael Scott – Energetic, people-oriented, creative, and driven by a desire to inspire and entertain. Michael loves being the center of attention.

• Green: Pam Beesly – Calm, empathetic, and focused on harmony. Pam values peace and stability, always striving to maintain a good atmosphere.

• Blue: Toby Flenderson – Logical, meticulous, and a rule-follower. Toby is composed, focusing on details and compliance.

It’s important to note that we’re rarely just one colour—most of us are a combination of two or more colours. While one colour may dominate, it’s often complemented by a neighbouring one, shaping how we express ourselves. Interestingly, we tend to clash with the colour directly opposite ours. Yet, in personal relationships, we often seek lifelong partners exactly opposite of our colour. They balance our weaknesses with their strengths.

Step 3: Using These Insights to Improve Communication and Teamwork

So, how can we use this knowledge to enhance teamwork, especially in building IoT solutions? As an IoT provider, we understand that success goes beyond technical expertise—it’s about the synergy of the team. How we communicate, resolve conflicts, and collaborate ultimately determines the success of any project. As leaders, it’s our responsibility to foster effective communication across diverse personality types.

As Jocko Willink writes in Extreme Ownership: "Leaders must own everything in their world. There is no one else to blame."

This means understanding and communicating with people who may have different personality profiles is essential for project success. By embracing each colour’s unique strengths and fostering a balanced approach to leadership, we can navigate team dynamics more effectively.

‍The Key Takeaway?

Don’t expect everyone to behave the same way. Beyond self-improvement as leaders, we must learn to assign roles based on the natural preferences of our team members. Embrace the strengths of each personality type, recognizing that everyone has something valuable to offer—even if their approach differs from yours. By aligning roles with natural preferences, you can create a more harmonious and productive team environment.

Stay tuned for upcoming blog entries, where we’ll dive deeper into each colour individually and relate to the IoT industry.