Dr. Travis Bradberry’s The Personality Code is a well-organized and comprehensive exploration of human personality. The book is based on the DISC model, originally invented by William Marston, which uses four categories (Dominant, Interpersonal, Steady, and Conscientious) to determine personality type.

The test determines which of the total fourteen personality types the participant possesses by looking at each individual’s scores in the four categories. The book also offers a breakdown of each personality type and includes strengths, weaknesses, and advice for handling each type in a relationship. Beyond the study of the fourteen profile types, Bradberry’s main purpose in The Personality Code is to emphasize that the key to success is not in personality, which is fixed for each person, but instead in self awareness; a brilliant and original thought.

The logic of The Personality Code and the idea of a brief book about personality and relationships are both innovative and rational. The book is beneficial to people with personality conflicts at home or at the office when used in the right context, though some of its aspects invites skepticism. The Personality Code suggests that the readers take a test (complimentary with purchase of the book) which requires them to choose the adjective that most and least describes them out of a list of four. The test raises some doubts because although the adjectives are said to be neutral, some of them are more desirable than others (example: domineering versus cheerful).

The honesty of participants in the study is required for accuracy, and it might not always occur because self-perception can differ greatly from reality. A test on personality based solely on the opinion of the individual may have its problems. Despite these conflicts, in the past the majority of honest participants of the test have gained an accurate depiction of their personalities from this study.

The book’s examination of Marston’s theories about the fourteen personality types and their levels of compatibility is vast and fascinating. Bradberry uses short real-life anecdotes to support their accuracy. Although the theories and synopsis of each personality are interesting and thought provoking, the actual advice given for handling each type is mostly mediocre common sense to anyone with basic people skills and a decent ability to judge character. For example, one of the downfalls of the “Motivator” personality type is their easily-gained trust. The advice for handling the “Motivator” is to caution them about who they trust. Without knowledge of The Personality Code, the average person would of course caution a co-worker who they know in the past has trusted people too quickly.

Overall, The Personality Code gives an excellent summary of Marston’s research and the idea of a personality test. It is a valuable read for people who frequently face personality conflicts. Its' ideas are logical and rational, especially the idea that self-awareness, and not personality, as a key to success. The book is an excellent choice for a short, comprehensible study of personality, and sparks interest in in the science of the brain and mind. When used as a guide, and not a foundation, The Personality Code can be very helpful to understand the personalities and perspectives of others.