*Take the generic online test version at the following website: http://www.humanmetrics.com/cgi-win/jtypes2.asp. It s under a different name, but it s the same exact test and go quickly don t think about the questions too much! Myers-Briggs Type Indicator What is the Myers-Briggs? The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) was developed by Kathleen Briggs and Isabel Briggs-Myers as tool for determining psychological and personality types. They came to the conclusion that there are four primary ways that people differ in terms of preferences. 1. 2. The four different preference areas are similar to our own hand preferences: although we use both of our hands, most of us have a preference for using one or the other. The four different areas measure: focus/energy source, information gathering, decision making, and lifestyle.
The Four Preference Dimensions Focus/Energy Source Extroversion vs. Introversion -Extrovert: People who prefer Extroversion like to focus on the outer world of people and activity. They direct their energy and attention outward and receive energy from interacting with people and form taking action. -Introverts: People who prefer introversion like to focus on their own inner world of ideas and experiences. They direct their energy and attention inward and receive energy from reflecting on their thoughts, memories, and feelings. Extroverts -Energized by the Outside World -Prefer to Communicate by Talking -Work out Ideas by Talking them Through -Sociable and Expressive -Have Broad Interests -Readily take initiative in work/relationships Introverts -Energized by their Inner Self -Prefer to Communicate in Writing -Work out Ideas through Reflection -Private and Contained -Focus in depth on their interests -Take initiative when situation is very important to them Information Gathering Sensing vs. intuition -Sensing: People who prefer Sensing like to take in information that is real and concrete what is actually happening. They are observant about the specifics of what is going on around them and are especially attuned to reality and things that are practical. -intuitive: People who prefer intuition like to take in information by seeing the big picture, focusing on the relationships and connections between facts. They want to grasp patterns and are especially attuned to seeing new possibilities. Sensing -Oriented to present realities -Factual and Concrete -Focus on what is Real and Actual -Build carefully toward conclusions -Trust Experience -Observe and remember specifics intuitive -Oriented to future possibilities -Imaginative and Verbally Creative -Focus on patterns/meanings in data -Move quickly to conclusions -Trust Inspiration -Remember specifics when related to a pattern
Decision Making Thinking vs. Feeling -Thinking: People who prefer to use Thinking in decisions making like to look at the logical consequences. They want to mentally remove themselves from a situation to examine the pros and cons objectively. They re energized by critiquing/analyzing what s wrong with something to they can solve the problem. -Feeling: People who prefer to use Feeling in decision making like to consider what is important to them and to others involved. They mentally place themselves into the situation to identify with everyone in order to make decisions based on their values about honoring people. They re energized by appreciating /supporting others and looking for qualities to praise. Thinking -Analytical -Use cause-and-effect reasoning -Solve problems with logic -Reasonable -Can be tough-minded -Fair want everyone treated equal Feeling -Empathetic -Guided by personal values -Assess impact of decisions -Compassionate -May appear tenderhearted -Fair what everyone treated like an individual Lifestyle Judging vs. Perceiving -Judging: People who prefer to use their Judging process in the outer world like to live in a planned, orderly way, seeking to regulate and manage their lives. They want to make decisions, come to closure, and move on. Their lies tend to be structured and organized, and they like to have things settled. Sticking to plans/schedules is very important to them. -Perceiving: People who prefer to use their Perceiving process in the outer world like to live in a flexible, spontaneous way, seeking to experience and understand life, rather than control it. Detailed plans and final decisions feel confining to them; they prefer to stay open to new information and last-minute options. Judging -Scheduled -Organize their lives -Systematic -Make short and long-term plans -Likes things decided -Avoid last-minute stress Perceiving -Spontaneous -Flexible -Casual -Adapt, change course -Like open options -Thrive on last-minute pressures
The 16 Different MBTI Types (or Combinations) ISFJ Nurturers -Sympathetic Manager of Details/Facts -Friendly, Responsible, Conscientious -Painstakingly Accurate in Tasks -Concern for Others; Strives for Harmony -Quiet, Serious, Conscientious -Considerate caretakers who honor tradition -Mousy at times, Avoid Conflict ISTJ Duty Fulfillers -Analytic Manager of Facts/Details -Dependable, Decisive, Very Systematic -Believes you earn Success through Persistence -Not Easily thrown off Task/Distracted -Calm, Reserved, Serious -Consistent, Orderly, Traditional -Pragmatically uncaring of other s feelings ESTJ--Guardians -Practical Organizer, emphasizes Facts -Realistic, Matter-of-Fact -Organizes Projects/People Well -Clear set of Logical Plans; Leader -Conscientious and Dependable -Decisive, Outspoken, and Self-Confident -Dominating and Overpowering ENFP--Inspirers -Enthusiastic Planner of Change -Seeks to Understand/Inspire Others -Sees Life as Full of Possibilities -Relies on Quick Improv and Verbal Fluency -Personable, Perceptive, Persuasive -Enthusiastically Spontaneous, Versatile -Unable to take Criticism ESFJ--Caregivers -Sociable, Orderly, Opinionated -Attuned to Emotions/Needs of Others -Practical Harmonizer/People Person -Want to be Appreciated for Contributions -Sociable, Outgoing, Enthusiastic, Energetic -Organized, Orderly, Traditional -Intolerant of Conflicting Values ISFP--Artists -Observant, Loyal Helper -Reflective, Realistic, Empathetic -Quiet, Friendly, Sensitive, and Kind -Dislike Conflict, Won t Force Opinions -Quiet, Reserved, Hard to Get to Know -Spontaneous, Tolerant, Dry Humor -Stand-offish, sometimes Snobbish ESFP--Performers -Friendly and Easily Deals with People -Conscious of Human Feelings -Lovers of Life, People, Material Comforts -Brings Common Sense to Group Work -Resourceful and Supportive -Fun-loving, Playful -Nervously Energetic/Hard to Keep Still ISTP--Mechanics -Values Precision/Organized Data -Reflective, Cool Observer of Society -Likes to Know what makes things Work -Interested in Cause/Effect Relationships -Adaptable, Action-Oriented Risk Takers -Confident, Independent, Walks to Own Beat -Wallflowers who Listen more than Speak
The 16 Difference MBTI Types (con t) INFP--Idealists -Imaginative; Independent Helpers -Idealistic; Loyal to Personal Values -Curious, Interested in Possibilities -Flexible unless Values are Threatened -Sensitive, Introspective, and Complex -Original, Individualistic, Deep -Difficult to Understand; Abstruse INTP--Thinkers -Reflective, Independent, Curious -Managing Ideas over People -Logical Explanations for Everything -Skeptical, Analytical, Sometimes Critical -Quiet, Self-Contained, Calm, Detached -Independent, Creators of Harmony -Difficult to Know and Understand ENFJ--Givers -Expressive, Orderly, Opinionated -Finds potential in everyone; wants to help -Loyal/Responsive to Praise/Criticism -Facilitates Social Groups Well -Sociable, Gracious -Expressive, Responsive, Persuasive -Talker who can go on a bit about opinions ENTJ--Executives -Frank, Decisive; readily assumes leadership -Enjoys long-term planning/goal setting -Forceful in pushing new ideas -Analytical, Confident -Direct, Challenging, Stimulating -Objective, Fair, Decisive -Intolerant of those viewed less intelligent ESTP Do-ers -Realistic Adapter to Material World -Good-Natured, Easy-Going -Spontaneous; Immediate Results -Learn best by Doing; Here and Now -Fun-Loving, Spontaneous -Adventuresome; Risk-Taker -Scatter-Brained; Non-Traditional ENTP--Visionaries -Enthusiastic, Independent, Impulsive Energy -Quick, Ingenious, Stimulating, Outspoken -Good at Reading Others -Bored with Routine; Prefers alternating tasks -Independent, Creative, Lively, Energetic -Assertively outspoken and enthusiastic -Abrasive and Argumentative INTJ--Scientists -Critical, Serious, Highly Independent -Organized, Determined, Stubborn -Sees broad patterns in events and ideas -Skeptical, High Standards -Private, Reserved, Hard to Get to Know -Conceptual, Original, Independent -Aloof, perhaps Conceited INFJ--Protectors -Serious, quietly forceful and persevering -Seeks meaning/connectivity in ideas -Conscientious/Committed to Firm Values -Desire to know what motivates others -Private to the point of mysterious -Intensely Individualistic -Standoffish, but you wouldn t want to cross them
Team Predictions The more similarity between individual types on a team, the sooner the team members will come to understand each other; the more different the types, the slower the understanding. Groups with very similar members will reach decisions more quickly but may make more errors because not all viewpoints are represented. Groups with many different types will reach decisions more slowly (and painfully) but may reach better decisions because more viewpoints are included. Team members may choose tasks that fit the gifts of their type. Leadership roles may shift as the tasks to be done require the skills of different types on the team. Team members who are opposite on all four preferences may have trouble achieving an understanding; members who share two preferences from each of the opposites may act as translators. The person who is the only representative of a certain preference (ex. The only Introvert) may be seen as different from the other team members. Team members who come to appreciate and work with different types maybe help to diffuse conflict. Successful teams with many different types promote the personal development of team members by encouraging learning from the gifts of other types. Teams that are one-sided (ex. Have few types) will succeed if (a) team members use different types outside the team as resources, or (b) they make an effort to use their own less-preferred preferences as the tasks require. Extroverts may dominate discussions, and perhaps decision making, unless they make special effort to involve introverts; Introverts may need to make a special effort to be heard. Feeling types may be more concerned with harmony and team-ness; Thinking types may be more concerned with truth and task. Good decisions will be made when the basic facts and realities have been taken into account (Sensing), when useful new possibilities have been opened up (intuition), when inconsistencies or consequences have been analyzed (Thinking), and when important values have been considered (Feeling).