Big Five Personality (OCEAN) vs MBTI vs Big 5 of Strategy
— Which Model Fits Today’s Work?
OCEAN vs MBTI — Understanding Personality in the Workplace
The Big Five Personality model (OCEAN) and the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) are two of the most discussed personality frameworks in the world.
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OCEAN (also called the Big Five) scores individuals on five broad traits: Openness, Conscientiousness, Extraversion, Agreeableness, and Neuroticism.
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MBTI assigns one of 16 personality types based on four psychological dimensions.
Both offer valuable insights but are they enough in today’s AI-driven world?
In an era defined by strategic complexity, rapid change, and the rise of AI-augmented work, professionals need tools that go beyond personality traits or types.
That’s where the Big 5 of Strategy comes in.
Where OCEAN and MBTI Work Well
OCEAN / Big Five Personality Traits
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Based on decades of psychological research
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Scientifically validated across cultures
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Useful for general profiling and academic research
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Not workplace-specific or developmental
MBTI (Myers-Briggs Type Indicator)
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Based on Jungian theory
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Popular for team building and communication
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Easy to understand, though not evidence-based
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Criticized for low consistency and static types
Why They Fall Short in Today’s Workplace
Both MBTI and OCEAN are descriptive tools. They tell you who you are, but not what you can do or how to grow.
Today and tomorrow, professionals are being asked to:
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Make faster, better decisions under uncertainty
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Lead change across silos
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Think strategically, not just execute tasks
Traits and types alone don’t reflect this. That’s why a capability-based assessment is becoming essential.
The Big 5 of Strategy: A Modern, Growth-Focused Alternative
The Big 5 of Strategy measures five core strategic competencies, each tied to professional performance and personal development:
Grasp the Present
Shape the Future
Move the System
Deliver the Results
Adapt to Change
It’s designed to show not just what you're like but how you operate under pressure, lead, and grow.
OCEAN vs MBTI vs Big 5 of Strategy Side-by-Side
Feature | OCEAN (Big Five Traits) | MBTI | Big 5 of Strategy |
|---|---|---|---|
Model Type | Trait-based | Typology | Capability-based |
Output | Scores on 5 traits | 1 of 16 types | Strategic strengths profile |
Scientific Validity | High | Low | High |
Workplace Relevance | General only | Medium | Very high |
Development Focus | None | None | Built-in |
Use Case | Academic profiling | Team awareness | Growth, leadership, strategy |
Flexibility | Static traits | Static types | Situational and adaptive |
Choosing the Right Tool in 2025
It depends on your goal:
If You Need | Choose |
|---|---|
Psychologically validated trait profiles | OCEAN |
Typing for communication insight | MBTI |
Actionable insight for strategy, leadership, and growth | Big 5 of Strategy |
Why the Big 5 of Strategy Is a Step Forward
OCEAN tells you how open or conscientious you are.
MBTI tells you what “type” you fit into.
The Big 5 of Strategy tells you how to perform, adapt, and lead and helps you grow in the process.
It’s built for professionals navigating real complexity and ready to turn insight into impact.
