Beyond Skills: How Personality Shapes Construction Team Performance: A Mixed-Method Evaluation Using MBTI and Team Effectiveness Indicators

Effective team composition is critical to project success in construction, where diverse personalities and work styles shape performance outcomes. However, construction team formation practices continue to prioritize technical expertise and experience while overlooking personality characteristics that influence communication, cohesion, leadership, and problem-solving. This study investigates the role of personality traits in construction team formation by integrating survey-based insights from industry experts with a case study of three functional teams in a road construction company. Personality profiles were assessed using the Myers–Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI), and team formation suitability was evaluated using (1) alignment between members’ MBTI profiles and O*NET-derived personality attributes required for each team, and (2) personality-based assessment of four team effectiveness factors: leadership, communication, cohesion, and heterogeneity. Findings show a positive association between higher personality-based team formation scores and superior team performance, as evaluated by organizational leadership. Within this case study, performance differences were not clearly explained by reported work experience alone, an observation interpreted cautiously given the small number of teams and the use of perceived performance ratings. The results highlight the practical value of incorporating structured personality assessment into team formation, with implications for recruitment, workforce development, and performance optimization.