Mother Teresa, Kim Kardashian and Me
June 1, 2026 | by Dorothy Rosby
It may come as a surprise to you, but I have something in common with both Mother Teresa and Kim Kardashian. It would probably come as a surprise to them too. But according to the HumanMetrics Jung Typology testing company, the three of us share the ISFJ (Introverted Sensing Feeling Judging) personality type. I’m not making that up. Of course, the test also shows that I tend to be defensive and somewhat reluctant to change. That may come as less of a surprise to you.
I don’t know if Kim Kardashian and Mother Teresa ever actually took the test—or how defensive and reluctant to change they are/were. I think Mother Teresa had more pressing business back in her day. But I’ve taken it, along with an assortment of other self-assessments at various retreats, conferences, and work meetings—you know, where employees try to determine how they can work better together or why it might be impossible to do so.
I’ve also taken the Gregoric Mind Styles assessment twice, the DISC assessment three times, and a handful of other personality tests whose names I can’t recall. Mainly, I was happy to learn I have a personality—and sometimes several.
According to my good friend Google, testing is $500 million industry and there are well over 2,500 personality questionnaires on the market with new ones being added each year. Apparently, we’re our own favorite subjects. Who doesn’t like having all their quirks validated in 70 questions or less. Plus self-assessments see the good in all personality types, which is something not all of us can do.
And test feedback is so positive. The interpretation guidelines use terms like “potential areas for growth” and “opportunities for improvement,” rather than “major faults and shortcomings.” It’s so much nicer, though I think it would have been audacious to suggest opportunities for improvement to Mother Teresa.
Besides, personality tests are more fun than an algebra test or chemistry exam. For one thing, there are no wrong answers. But that’s not to say they’re easy. Some of them ask the test taker to choose from many lists the words that describe them best. In some cases, I don’t think any of them do. Others rely on “yes/no” answers. I think there should be a “that depends.” But maybe that’s just me—and Kim Kardashian and Mother Teresa.
Dorothy Rosby is a blogger and humor columnist whose column appears regularly in publications throughout the West and Midwest. She’s the author of four books of humorous essays all available locally at Mitzi’s Books in Rapid City and on Amazon.