Myers-Briggs Type Indicator: Some insights

I love the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI)!  The more I learn about it the more excited I am to share the information with students and professionals.  It can be a real benefit for you to know your "type" when working with people because it provides an insight that helps you to also understand others.  I plan to give our readers some insights into the MBTI for the next few blogs I post, but I would recommend reading more about the MBTI or talking to a career counselor to take the assessment.  Public libraries have many books on MBTI and can give you some more in-depth background information which I don't have space for in a blog.  You can also check out the MBTI website at www.myersbriggs.org.

SIXTEEN DIFFERENT TYPES
As you learn about the 16 different types you'll typically identify with one specific type more than others, this is called your true-type.  You can also determine your assessed-type by taking an MBTI assessment.  Even when someone has taken the MBTI I still discuss what they think their true-type is before disclosing their assessed-type.  The reason for this is that sometimes the true- and assessed-types are different due to stress in the person's life or if they were thinking of a specific environment for the different scenarios.  All scenarios should be considered as preferences, meaning environment and other people aside what would you prefer to do or what is most comfortable for you.

Below is a table with the 16 different types, which I found at the Myers-Briggs website.  You'll notice they only use 8 different letters, but rearrange them into the 16 different types.  Each type has it's own unique characteristics and each person that identifies as a certain type is different from the next.

ISTJ	ISFJ	INFJ	INTJ
ISTP	ISFP	INFP	INTP
ESTP	ESFP	ENFP	ENTP
ESTJ	ESFJ	ENFJ	ENTJ

Here is some technical information, so hold onto your seats... the MBTI was developed with Carl Jung's theory and his 4 different "dichotomies" or basic preferences.  These 4 basic preferences are split into two opposite preferences.  Each type has one opposite preference from each of the 4 basic preferences.  Here's how it breaks down:

Introversion (I) vs. Extroversion (E) - These opposite preferences coordinate with the basic preference of "Favorite World."  I also explain this basic preference as where you prefer to get your energy.  Do you re-energize by being alone or do you get your energy from those around you?  This preference seems to be the most well known, and the most misunderstood.  Remember that Introverts are not always wall-flowers and Extroverts are not always the party-animals.  Actually each preference can act like the other when the situation arises, just ask yourself... After a long day and you need to re-energize would you rather call friends and arrange a dinner/game night (E), or go home and do your own thing (I)?

Sensing (S) vs. Intuition (N) - These opposite preferences coordinate with the basic preference of "Information."  I like to think of how you prefer to gather information, or your preferred learning style.  When learning something new (gathering information) do you need to experience it will all your 5 senses, or prefer minimal information and then draw inferences related to that information and your personal knowledge?  This preference can be the hardest to understand because of how abstract the concept is.  One give-away for Intuitives is that they always seem to have a story for everything.  This is because they're relating to the topic at hand to what they already know and sharing stories helps them to understand the topic better.  To help you understand which preference might be yours, ask yourself... When your boss or instructor is giving you a new task or assignment would you rather they provide you with all the details up-front (and then you typically will still have questions) (S), or be given just the basics and you'll figure it out on your own (N)?

Thinking (T) vs. Feeling (F) - These opposite preferences coordinate with the basic preference of "Decisions."  This preference is also often misunderstood as some people think that Thinkers don't feel and Feelers don't think.  It's not about how kind you are, but about how you make decisions when a situation presents itself.  Thinkers tend to focus on the data of the situation first and then considers how others will be affected by the decision.  Feelers tend to focus on everyone's feelings and values first to make the decision and then considers the facts.  To help you understand which preference might be yours, consider this scenario... You're the boss and have been monitoring a certain employee's progress for weeks.  You know you have to fire the person because they haven't improved even after all the meetings & work you've done with them.  How do you feel about this? ...Comfortable and ready to handle confrontation (T) or less comfortable and wanting to get more information about the employee's situation; maybe there's something going on with his/her life that's causing the poor performance (F).

Judging (J) vs. Perceiving (P) - These opposite preferences coordinate with the basic preference of "Structure."  I like to think of how you organize your environments either at home or at work.  When you're organizing your life do you prefer things to be "in their place" and organized, or does that not matter to you?  Do you value making decisions and sticking to those, or can making decisions too early stress you out because you want to remain open for new opportunities.  Remember when choosing one preference over the other, choose the one that you are most of the time and will feel most comfortable with the majority of people.  To help you understand which preference might be yours, consider this scenario... When you're getting ready to go on a trip do you prefer to have everything planned out so you know what's going to be happening when and you feel a sense of control (J)?  Or, do you prefer to "fly by the seat of your pants" and enjoy any last minute adventures that may come your way (P)?


STAY TUNED...
Now that you have a brief notion of what the different types are all about stay tuned for more insights into the specific types.  I'll be posting more about each of the 16 types throughout the year.  You'll read about funny stories, facts, and things to consider to help improve yourself and the way you interact with others.