The MBTI® (Myers-Briggs Type Indicator®) is the most powerful personality instrument for improving leadership abilities, improving communication and increasing team effectiveness.
The MBTI® Personality Inventory is based on Carl Gustav Jung’s theory of personality type. Carl G. Jung was one of the best psychiatrists in history and the founder of Analytical Psychology.
Based on his theory, Katharine Cook Briggs and her daughter Isabel Briggs Myers developed the MBTI®. With over 70 years of studies, the MBTI® is the world’s best-researched and most widely used personality instrument. More than 2 million people take the assessment each year and 70% of all Fortune 500 companies use it.
Whatever the circumstances of your life, understanding the guy can make your perceptions clearer, your judgments more sound, and your life closer to your heart’s desire.” -Isabel Briggs Myers
Carl C. Jung believed that we are all born with certain natural predispositions that do not change throughout our lives. Myers-Briggs derived from these 16 personality types with natural strengths, weaknesses, and blind spots. Once we understand ourselves and how we specifically differ from others, we have a set of tools at hand to improve our personal and professional lives. Typical MBTI® applications are in the area of
- growth and self-development
- communication with others
- leadership and management skills
- appreciation of diversity and team effectiveness
the four dichotomies
According to the MBTI®, there are four pairs of opposing preferences, the so-called dichotomies:
Where We Direct Our Energy: Extraversion (E) – Introversion (I)
People who prefer extraversion focus their attention on the outside world of things, people, and events around them. They are often perceived as friendly, verbally adept, and easy to get to know. They get energy from being with other people. They usually think while they talk.
People with a preference for Introversion focus their energy and attention on the inner world of thoughts, ideas, and reflections. They are usually quite and are perceived as reserved and more difficult to get to know. They recharge their batteries when they are alone. They usually take time to collect their thoughts before speaking.
How we assimilate information: Sensation (S) – Intuition (N)
Perception refers to capturing information primarily with the five senses: hearing, sight, smell, taste, and touch. People with a preference for detection pay attention to facts and details. They want to understand the parts first in order to understand the overall design. People’s perception is usually practical and realistic.
Intuition is about “the big picture,” the meaning and connection behind the initial information. People with a preference for intuition enjoy concepts and theory and can be quite abstract. They typically look at the overall design first, then understand how the individual parts contribute to the whole.
How We Make Decisions: Thought (T) – Feeling (F)
Thinking people make their decisions based on objective impersonal logic and are often good at rationally analyzing and solving problems. They focus on tasks rather than relationships. Therefore, they can appear cold or indifferent to people with a preference for feelings.
Feeling people base their decisions primarily on their value systems. They focus on the effect their decisions have on other people and their feelings, and they are good at understanding others. Their behavior may seem too emotional and irrational for thinking types.
How we organize ourselves and the world around us: judge (J) – perceive (P)
People who prefer to judge like to have the external world organized and orderly. They tend to make plans and stick to them. They are decisive and like to get things done. They can sometimes seem rigid and inflexible to other types.
People with a Perception preference like to explore the world rather than organize it. They are spontaneous and flexible. They prefer to collect information and leave things open ended. This may seem disorganized and irresponsible to people J.
sixteen personality types
The combination of a person’s preferences leads to 16 basic personality types, described by a combination of four letters:
ISTJ – Responsible Performers
ISFJ – Dedicated Delegates
INFJ – Insightful Motivators
INTJ – Visionary Strategists
ISTP – Agile Pragmatics
ISFP – Practical Custodians
INFP – Inspired Crusaders
INTP – Expansive Analyzers
ESTP – Dynamic Mavericks
ESFP – Enthusiastic Improvisers
ENFP – Passionate Catalysts
ENTP – Innovative Explorers
ESTJ – Efficient Drivers
ESFJ – Committed Builders
ENFJ – Participatory Mobilizers
ENTJ – Strategic Directors
descriptions from “Introduction to Type and Leadership” by Sharon Lebovitz Richmond
Each type has individual strengths and weaknesses. A brief description of each type can be found here: Understanding the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator® and its type is extremely helpful in several areas of your life. The MBTI® personally supported me through a career transition and to improve relationships with others. Today I use the MBTI® with my coaching clients: Leaders learn the skills to guide people to sustainable success. Organizations appreciate diversity and enhance team performance. People grow personally and professionally. Fonts: “Introduction to Typography,” Isabel Briggs Myers, 6th Edition; “MBTI Handbook,” Isabel Briggs Myers et al., 3rd Edition Further Reading: “Jung: A Very Brief Introduction,” Anthony Stevens “Different Gifts: Understanding Personality Type,” Isabel Briggs Myers
“If you don’t know who you are, the world will tell you.” -Carl G. Jung
