working to your strengths (and overcoming weaknesses) an introduction to personality types mbti –...
TRANSCRIPT
Working to your Strengths
(and overcoming weaknesses)
An introduction to Personality TypesMBTI – Myers Briggs
David Craigie30th September 2014
Overview
Understanding Personality
Advantages (and dangers) of Type
Exploring Personality with MBTI
Practical Applications and Tips
Mahatma Gandhi
“I want freedom for the full expression of my personality.”
What is Personality?“the combination of characteristics or qualities that form an individual's distinctive character”
Oxford Dictionary
“the complex of characteristics that distinguishes an individual”; “the totality of an individual's behavioral and emotional characteristics”
Merriam-Webster
Early personality measuresThe Greek physician Hippocrates (460 – 370 BC) proposed one of the earliest personality type systems, based on bodily fluids:
Sanguines (pleasure seeking, sociable)Cholerics (ambitious, leader-like)Melancholics (analytical, quiet)Phlegmatics (relaxed and peaceful)
Pros and Cons of TypeUnderstanding personality as a type has
advantages and disadvantages
Pros: helps us gain a much broader understanding of groups and meet the needs of others in practical ways
Cons: can lead to temptations of over-generalising or discrimination
The MBTI One of the most popular measures of Type
across the world is the Myers Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI)
Developed and statistically researched and refined over the last 60 years, based on Type theory by Carl Jung and developed by Isabel Myers and her mother Katharine Briggs.
Serious uses of MBTI Stress Management Career Decisions Conflict Management Decision Making Team Building Change Management Time Management etc
Less serious uses of MBTI
The popularity of MBTI has led to some slightly less statistically valid uses...
Exploring the MBTI 4 personality “dimensions”
Each dimension has one of two preferences
This gives one of 16 four letter types
What does it mean to have a personality preference?
Preferences Each day, we will use both preferences on
each dimension
Our natural preference will lead us to typically choose one over the other
It is possible, through training and awareness, to consciously operate in our less-preferred mode
How we are energised
Extraversion (E) is not about being gregarious or fun-loving, but rather about being energised by and drawn to interaction with the outer world
Introversion (I) is not about being shy or reserved, but rather about being energised by the inner world and reflection
How we take in information
Sensing (S) is not about being sensitive or intuitive, but rather is about being focused on information that is real and tangible, often detail focused and practical
Intuition (N) is not about gut feeling, but rather a preference for the bigger picture, patterns and concepts, often future focused
How we make decisions
Thinking (T) is a process that values logic, more objective analysis, and can appear “tough minded”. Fairness is more likely to be about equality.
Feeling (F) is a process that values empathic, more subjective and values-based reasoning, and can appear “tender hearted”. Fairness is about treating people as individuals.
How we relate to the outer world
Judging (J) is not about being judgemental, but rather seeking to plan, organise and regulate or control life, feeling energised once decisions are made
Perceiving (P) is not about being perceptive, but is a preference for flexibility, spontaneity and experiencing life in a very adaptable and open-ended way
The 4 dimensions
Extraversion (E) ------------------ Sensing (S) ------------------ Thinking (T) ------------------ Judging (J)
Introversion (I) ------------------Intuition (N) ------------------Feeling (F) ------------------Perceiving (P)
Finding your best fit Remember that we each use all the
preferences at some point each day
However, we have a natural preference (similar to having a dominant hand) for one of each pairing
E or IS or NT or FJ or P
How can I identify my Type?
Read the descriptors and choose which is most naturally or comfortably you
Ask people who know you well Complete a formal psychometric
questionnaire Compare the findings, read descriptions of
your most likely Type and choose your closest match
www.opp.eu.com
Understanding others
Extraverts can appear fickle or overbearing, and Introverts can appear closed and reserved
Sensing types appreciate practical facts, whereas Intuitives appreciate the bigger picture
Understanding others
Thinkers can appear thick skinned and harsh, and Feelers can appear illogical and over-sensitive
Judgers appreciate knowing in advance and having a plan, whereas Perceivers can feel constrained by excessive policy and procedure
Well-being and Blind Spots
Knowing how you are energised can help with your time management, work life balance and stress
Try to use all 4 “function” preferences S – N – T – F when making decisions
Points to Ponder
What is my most likely Personality Type?
How would these preferences express themselves in my work and personal lives?
What differences might I see in colleagues, friends or family and how can I help support their own preferences?
What next?
Retreat to the safety of your office...
Start to explore your personality Type to learn more about yourself and your colleagues
Sign up to our MBTI Personality Masterclass on October 21st!
What's more to know?
How personality develops over time
How our personalities respond to stress
How we can manage interpersonal relationships more effectively
Using personality in our career development
