In the fast-paced, detail-driven world of finance, success depends not only on technical skills but also on collaboration. Whether you are negotiating with banks, managing liquidity, or supporting business units in treasury, the way you interact with colleagues can make a significant difference. Understanding personality types – your own and those of others – can be a perfect tool for building better relationships, reducing conflicts, and ultimately achieving stronger outcomes.
Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI)
One of the most popular frameworks for exploring personality is the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI). It sorts people into 16 personality types based on four dimensions:
• Extraversion (E) vs. Introversion (I): Where you focus your energy – outward on people and activity, or inward on reflection and ideas.
• Sensing (S) vs. Intuition (N): How you take in information – through concrete facts and details, or through patterns and big-picture thinking.
• Thinking (T) vs. Feeling (F): How you make decisions – based on logic and objectivity or based on values and relationships.
• Judging (J) vs. Perceiving (P): How you approach life – structured and planned, or flexible and adaptable.
Colour models of personality
You may have also come across colour models of personality (e.g., Red, Blue, Green, Yellow) that simplify things into four main traits. For example, “Blue” often represents detail-oriented thinkers (similar to MBTI’s ISTJ), while “Yellow” reflects big-picture, social visionaries (similar to ENFP).
Whichever model you use, the goal is the same: to understand yourself and to learn how to work more effectively with people who are wired differently.
Why this matters in treasury
Treasury roles demand a mix of skills, from attention to detail and analytical thinking to clear communication, alongside sensitivity to risk management. That means teams usually include very different types of people. One colleague might enjoy digging into spreadsheets, while another prefers driving long-term funding strategy or building relationships. Without awareness of personality differences, these differences can lead to frustration, while with awareness, they can become complementary strengths.
For example:
• A detail-oriented type (often “Blue” or an ISTJ) ensures that reporting is watertight.
• A big-picture strategist (often “Yellow” or an ENTP) spots opportunities for innovation in cash management or working capital.
• A relationship-driven type (often “Green” or an ESFJ) builds trust with banks and business partners.
• A results-driven driver (often “Red” or an ENTJ) keeps projects moving and deadlines on track.
In treasury, we need all of these strengths – and understanding personality helps you value each one.
How to work with different personality types
1. Working with Detail-Oriented Types (Blues, ISTJs, ISFJs)
These colleagues thrive on accuracy and reliability. They want clear, complete, and structured information.
Tips:
• Share data in a framed and logical format.
• Don’t pressure them to rush – accuracy is their priority.
• Acknowledge the value they bring in keeping the team compliant and precise.
2. Working with Big-Picture Innovators (Yellows, ENFPs, ENTPs)
They enjoy brainstorming and exploring “what if” scenarios.
Tips:
• Be open to their ideas, even if they seem far-fetched at first.
• Help them link concepts to data and practical steps.
• Give them opportunities to think about long-term plans and be socialised.
3. Working with Relationship Builders (Greens, ESFJs, ENFPs)
These colleagues prioritise teamwork and harmony.
Tips:
• Approach them with respect and warmth, not just facts.
• Involve them in tasks that need collaboration or stakeholder input.
• Encourage open conversation – they may avoid conflict.
4. Working with Results-Driven Drivers (Reds, ENTJs, ESTJs)
They are decisive, competitive, and efficient.
Tips:
• Keep communication clear, concise, and prepared.
• Don’t take their directness personally – it’s about results.
• Frame your work in terms of impact and outcomes.
Bringing the above together
No one personality type is “best” for treasury – or for any other team. In fact, the strength of a treasury function lies in having a mix of types. A balance of detail-checkers and big-picture thinkers, drivers and harmonisers, ensures that risks are managed properly without losing sight of strategy, while opportunities are identified, stability is maintained, and decisions are made on time.
What is essential is learning to flex your style depending on who you are working with. If you are detail-focused, you may need to zoom out when talking to a visionary leader. If you are extroverted, you may need to pause and give introverted colleagues time to reflect. And if you are an introverted, you may need to read the second blog of this series which shows you how you can easily overcome the networking fears.
Understanding personality types is not about putting people in boxes – it is about recognising patterns, valuing differences, and using them to work better together.
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This blog was written by Adam Molnar, Group Treasury Accounting Manager at BT who is a member of the Tomorrow's Treasurers Advisory Panel. To find out more about the group please visit the Tomorrow's Treasurers webpage.