Understanding myself and others using the Myers Briggs Type Indicator

Presenter: Mritunjay Verma

So what is the MBTI anyway?

The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator is a tool or framework for understanding our own Personality Type and that of others. It's a self-report questionnaire - it's an indicator not a test so there are no right or wrong answers Looks at normal behaviour It identifies preferences rather than competencies, abilities or skills No Personality Type is better or worse - each has its own gifts Used for team building, career guidance, leadership and management. 2

History of the MBTI

Was developed by Katherine C Briggs and her daughter Isabel Myers Started in 1920s and after a rigorous research, validity and reliability testing it was published in 1975 Translated into 16 languages and taken by over 2 million people per year is based on the work of Swiss psychologist Carl Jung who described personality type preferences.
3

The 4 scales of the MBTI

How we channel Energy Extraversion Introversion How we take in Information Sensing Intuition How we make decisions Thinking Feeling Our lifestyle (orientation to external world) Judging Perceiving

Extraversion and Introversion

E-I
Refers to the direction we focus our attention and energy
5

People who prefer

People who prefer

Extraversion
Focus their energy and attention outwardly Are interested in the world of people and things Receive energy from interacting with people and from taking action

Introversion
Focus their energy and attention inwardly Are interested in the world of thoughts and reflections Receive energy from within themselves

We all live in both worlds (use both preferences) but not equally well or easily

E People who prefer Extraversion...

Are aware of who and what is around them Are energised by interacting with people Enjoy meeting and talking with new people Are friendly, verbally skilled and easy to get to know Speak out easily and often at meetings
7

I People who prefer Introversion...

Are energised from time-out and reflection Have to make an effort to meet new people Hold back at meetings and often have trouble getting involved Are often quiet, reserved and hard to get to know
8

People who prefer Extraversion... (Continued)

Are bored and restless if theyre alone too long Do their thinking as they speak Prefer to communicate by talking Work out ideas by talking them through Tell you all about themselves very rapidly Have broad interests Readily take initiative in work & relationships Can seem shallow and intruding to Introverts

People who prefer Introversion... (Continued)

Become drained and tired with people (particularly strangers) Need time to gather their thoughts before speaking Prefer to communicate in writing Work out ideas by reflecting on them Are often difficult to get to know Focus in depth on their interests Take initiative when the situation or issue is very important to them Can seem withdrawn and secretive to Extraverts

Some Key Words associated with...

Extraversion E
Action Breadth Expressive Interaction Multiple relationships Do-think-do

Introversion I
Reflection Depth Quiet Concentration Deep friendships Think-Do-Think
11

We all do Extraverted and Introverted things

However we do not do them equally well

Each of us has a Preference for one over the other..

Given the choice which do you prefer?

Extraversion or Introversion How clear are you about your preference? E

Clear Moderate Slight

?
Slight Moderate Clear

Sensing and iNtuition

S-N
Refers to the way we take in information
14

People who prefer

People who prefer

Sensing
Prefer to take in information using their 5 senses - sight, sound, feel, smell and taste Details people Ss can see the trees but not the forest

iNtuition
Go beyond what is real or concrete and focus on meanings, associations and relationships Big Picture people Ns can see the forest but not the trees

We all use both preferences in taking in Information but not equally well or as easily

S People who prefer Sensing...

Oriented to present realities Are practical and realistic Start at the beginning and take 1 step at a time Are specific and literal when thinking, writing and listening Live in the present, dealing with the here and now Trust experience Prefer reality to fantasy 16

N People who prefer iNtuition...

Oriented to future possibilities Are imaginative and inventive Start anywhere and leap over basic steps Speak and write in general, abstract terms Focus on the future, imagining what could be Trust inspiration Prefer fantasy to reality
17

People who prefer Sensing... (Continued)

Like to work with the parts to see the overall design Like set procedures, established routines and historical precedents to guide them Observe and remember specifics Work thoroughly step by step towards conclusions Understand ideas and theories through practical applications Can seem materialistic and too literal to Ns

People who prefer iNtuition... (Continued)

Study the overall design to see how the parts fit Thrive on change, new ideas and variety Prefer imaginative new solutions to problems, often becoming impatient with details Move quickly to conclusions, follow hunches Can seem impractical dreamers to Ss

Some Key Words associated with...

Sensing S
Facts Realistic Specific Present Down-to-earth Practical What is

iNtuition N
Ideas Conceptual General Future Head-in-clouds Theoretical What could be
20

We all use Sensing and iNtuition when making taking in information However we do not do them equally well Each of us has a Preference for one over the other..

Given the choice which do you prefer?

Sensing or iNtuition How clear are you about your preference? S

Clear Moderate

?
Slight Slight Moderate Clear

Thinking and Feeling

T-F
Refers to the way we make decisions
23

People who prefer Thinking

People who prefer

Feeling
Make their decisions based on a personcentred, value-based process Mentally placed themselves into the situation to identify with everyone so as to make decisions

Make their decisions based on impersonal, objective logic Mentally remove themselves from a situation to examine pros and cons

Both processes are based on reason. We use both of them, but not equally well or easily

T People who prefer Thinking...

Decide things using logic Focus on the facts and principles Dont take their emotions or those of others into account Are good at analysing a situation Concentrate on peoples thoughts not feelings
25

F People who prefer Feeling...

Decide things using their own personal values Focus on the personal values of people and organisations Dont like focussing on impersonal principles Are good at understanding people and their viewpoints Concentrate on peoples feelings not thoughts

26

People who prefer Thinking... (Continued)

Take a long term view, seeing things as an on-looker Are good at spotting flaws and inconsistencies and stating them bluntly Value and trust logic when making decisions Fair - want everyone treated equally May seem cold and condescending to Fs

People who prefer Feeling... (Continued)

Take an immediate and personal view of situations Like to show appreciation and caring for others Have difficulty telling people unpleasant things Believe relationships and harmony are important Value and trust own feelings when making decisions Fair - want everyone treated as an individual May seem over-emotional and irrational to Ts

Some Key Words associated with

Thinking T
Head Distant Just Objective Criticise Analytical Tough-minded

Feeling F
Heart Personal Fair Subjective Praise Empathetic Tender-hearted
29

We all use Thinking and Feeling preferences when making decisions However we do not do them equally well Each of us has a Preference for one over the other..

Given the choice which do you prefer?

Thinking or Feeling How clear are you about your preference?

T
Clear Moderate Slight

?
Slight Moderate Clear

Judging and Perceiving

J-P
Refers to our attitude to the external world and how we orient ourselves to it.
32

People who prefer Judging

Like to live in a planned, orderly way Like to make decisions, come to closure and then move on Lives tend to be structured and organised

People who prefer

Perceiving
Like to live in a flexible,spontaneous way seeking to experience life Final decisions feel confining to them Prefer to stay open to new information and last-minute options

We all use both preferences but not equally well or easily

J People who prefer Judging...

Like to make plans and follow them Prefer to get things settled and finished Prefer environments with structure Enjoy being decisive and organising others Handle deadlines and time limits well Dont like surprises - have a contingency Plan ahead to avoid last minute rushes
34

P People who prefer Perceiving...

Adapt well to changing situations and like to respond resourcefully Prefer to leave things open and are flexible May not like making decisions, even when pressed - leave options open for more info. High tolerance for surprises - adjust to arising situations Feel energised by last-minute pressures
35

People who prefer Judging... (Continued)

Like getting to the bottom line quickly and deciding things straight away Dislike being interrupted on a project, even for a more urgent one May make decisions too quickly or cling to a plan Are comfortable with routine May seem rigid, demanding and inflexible to Ps

People who prefer Perceiving... (Continued)

Want to explore all options before deciding May start too many projects and have difficulty finishing them May have trouble making decisions May postpone unpleasant tasks Uncomfortable with routine May seem disorganised and irresponsible to Js

Some Key Words associated with

Judging J
Organised Scheduled Now Closure Methodical Plan Make short & longterm plans

Perceiving P
Flexible Spontaneous Later Options Open-ended Wait Adapt and change course as needed

38

We all use Judging and Perceiving as part of our lifestyles

However we do not do them equally well Each of us has a Preference for one over the other..

Given the choice which do you prefer?

Judging or Perceiving How clear are you about your preference?

J
Clear Moderate Slight

?
Slight Moderate Clear

When combined your preferences indicate your Preference Type

E or I S or N T or F J or P
eg ESTP, INTJ, ENFP, INTJ etc
41

Tie-breaking rule for if you cant decide ... ie if youve placed an X in the middle

If E = I then write

I If S = N then write N If T = F then write F If J = P then write P

42

The Type Table

ISTJ ISFJ INFJ INTJ

ISTP

ISFP

INFP

INTP

ESTP

ESFP

ENFP

ENTP

ESTJ

ESFJ

ENFJ

ENTJ

E- I Splitting Exercise
For the E group.Discuss what are the advantages and disadvantages of being an Extravert. What frustrates you about Introverts For the I group. discuss what are the advantages and disadvantages of being an Introvert. What frustrates you about Extraverts
44

S- N Splitting Exercise
For the S(Sensing) group. Describe the ocean

For the N (iNtuitive) group. Describe the ocean You can use words, phrases, bullet points etc...

45

Applying the MBTI to the real world... Usefulness of opposite types for teams
Ns can benefit from the natural inclination of Ss to Bring up pertinent facts Face realities of current situation Apply experience to solving problems Focus on what needs attention now Ss can benefit from the natural inclination of Ns to Bring up new possibilities Anticipate future trends Apply insight to solving problems Focus on Long-term goals
46

Applying the MBTI to the real world. Usefulness of opposite types for teams
Fs can benefit from the natural inclination of Ts to Analyse situations and their implications Hold consistently to a policy Create rational systems Be fair Ts can benefit from the natural inclination of Fs to Forecast how others will react and feel Make needed individual exceptions Organise people and tasks harmoniously Be just
47

The End Questions??

48