There’s no one you spend more time conversing with on a daily basis than your co-workers.
The people you work with directly and remotely are some of the most important people in your life, even if you’ve never met them in real life (thanks, Zoom!).
To mark the launch of the Stranger Things Season 4, Frank Recruitment Group got thinking about how Stranger Things’ lovable gang of misfits can be found in our own workplaces. What would the characters of this beloved TV show be getting up to if they were transported from the dual setting of a small Midwestern town/monster-ridden hellscape to your average office environment?
Using the Myers-Briggs test—a personality categorization methodology employed by a huge number of businesses worldwide—Frank Recruitment Group has matched your favorite Stranger Things characters up with ten of the most common personality types found in offices across the globe today.
Is your desk-mate an Eleven or a Mike? Recognize anyone from your own workplace? You can even apply these to yourself!
The Joyce
Myers-Briggs Type: The Defender (ISFJ)
The office caregiver. Caring, thoughtful, and worries about their colleagues. Brings in baked goods for everyone, although they’re usually burnt. Their pride and strong work ethic make them a valuable addition to any team, and they’re known to go to great (read: unusual) lengths to get the best results. Their deep investment in both their work and their colleagues can leave them a little frazzled sometimes, so make sure you’re looking after them the way they look out for you. They’re also the one who puts up all the holiday decorations. Big fan of fairy lights.
The Hopper
Myers-Briggs Type: The Virtuoso (ISTP)
Practical. Down to earth. Most likely found next to the coffee machine. A born, if sometimes reluctant, commander and protective of their team. The Hopper is a no-nonsense, learn-by-doing type who leads from the front, and won’t get caught asking their colleagues to do something they wouldn’t do themselves. The Hopper gets things done, even if they tend to work to their own schedule. Don’t bother setting up any meetings with them before lunchtime; they will not attend. Willing to bend the rules if it means doing the right thing (like going over corporate’s head or breaking into a morgue), and probably needs to put a little more effort into their work-life balance.
The Eleven
Myers-Briggs Type: The Entrepreneur (ESTP)
Cautious, principled, and fiercely loyal. The Eleven can be unpredictable, but when they channel their white-hot passion into their work, you see their exceptional talents shine. The Eleven is a true natural with heaps of determination and resilience. A fast learner, they’ll often have had an unconventional path into their role, and are always eager to listen and develop as a result. Remember, friends don’t lie; they also don’t eat other people’s lunch from the communal fridge.
The Mike
Myers-Briggs Type: The Advocate (INFJ)
Open-minded and sensitive, The Mike has a strong moral compass and a commitment to doing right by others. Their optimism can occasionally get them in over their heads, but they’re mature enough to admit when they’re wrong and learn from those around them. They’re extremely dedicated to their work and will stick with a project even when it looks totally doomed. A bit of a romantic, they’re known to harbor the occasional office crush.
The Dustin
Myers-Briggs Type: The Entertainer (ESFP)
The office clown, their gung-ho nature and goofy charm make them well-liked around the office. Not necessarily the safest pair of hands, their heart is always in the right place. Even though they don’t always make the best decisions, they’re truly the soul of the team. Someone accidentally set fire to the shared microwave? It was probably The Dustin (again).
The Will
Myers-Briggs Type: The Mediator (INFP)
The Will tends to be quiet, but incredibly passionate about what they do. Often underestimated, they might not always speak up in a group setting, but you can be sure that they’ve whipped up some great ideas behind the scenes. Resourceful and creative, they can be relied on to think outside of the box to find a solution to a challenge. Known to occasionally eat lunch in the bathroom.
The Lucas
Myers-Briggs Type: The Executive (ESTJ)
Logical, responsible, and a natural leader, level-headed Lucas is the first to come in with rationality and reason. They work hard and they like to maintain order wherever possible. A great foil to any Dustins on the team, The Lucas has high standards, thinks wisely about risk versus reward, and unlike many of their colleagues, can see the potential for chaos in making the office dog-friendly.
The Nancy
Myers-Briggs Type: The Consul (ESFJ)
A stickler for the rules, The Nancy always endeavors to be a gold star employee. They like to do things by the book and are motivated largely by their appreciation for recognition and approval, but that’s not to say they can’t stand up for themselves and their team when they have to. Studious, ambitious and driven, The Nancy’s intelligence and diligence are among their greatest strengths and make them an ideal colleague to have in your corner in a tight spot.
The Max
Myers-Briggs Type: The Logician (INTP)
Something of a dark horse around the office, The Max is terse, private, and often pessimistic. They may not always be the life of the office party, often opting to spend their free time on unconventional hobbies, but they are steadfast and brave when it comes to helping out their team and making bold choices. Don’t expect them to stop by your desk for a chat often, but you can bet they’ll be super loyal once you get to know them.
The Steve
Myers-Briggs Type: The Adventurer (ISFP)
Sociable, popular, and never seen to have a bad hair day, this chilled-out colleague has hidden talents. Though they may not necessarily appear to be a natural mentor, beneath their aloof exterior lies an unconventional authority figure. They have a soft spot for the underdogs on their team and will shed a little of their too-cool-for-school attitude to pitch in when needed. Perhaps their greatest strength is their ability to own their mistakes and their drive to grow and improve.
“Delving into these personality types gives us a really fascinating insight into the fantastic diversity of the modern workplace, the ways we can work together with our colleagues, and the strengths they each bring to our teams,” said Zoë Morris, President at Frank Recruitment Group.
“Inspiration and motivation at work come in so many forms, from your favorite TV shows to a co-worker who always goes that extra mile for their team, and I’ve no doubt that this new series will bring us more valuable life lessons. From Eleven’s loyalty and Joyce’s perseverance to Will’s creativity and Dustin’s enthusiasm, I think we can all take something away from StrangerThings to empower us to be our best selves in our professional lives.”
“Also, I can only hope this exercise helps settle any arguments about who gets to be Eleven at the next office Halloween party.”
Share your results in the comments below!