What’s Your Type? Understanding personality types: How people see the world and make decisions differently Robert Ford World Academy Facilitator
Setting the scene Motivation, management, communications, relationships - focused on yourself or others – are more effective when you understand yourself, and the people you seek to motivate, manage, develop or help. Understanding personality types is a very useful way to improve your knowledge of motivation and behavior of self and others. Understanding personality types is also helpful for appreciating that while people are different, everyone has strengths and qualities, and should be treated with care and respect.
MBTI is another tool for your World Academy Toolkit! Meyers Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI)
It identifies a person’s natural tendencies or preferred way of doing things It reports preferences on four scales Each scale represents two opposite preferences on a continuum It is primarily concerned with the valuable differences in people that result from where they like to focus their attention, the way that they like to take in information, the way that they like to make decisions, and the kind of lifestyle they adopt. The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) assessment is designed to measure psychological preferences in how people perceive the world and make decisions:
When is the MBTI useful? MBTI can be used for individuals and teams and provides the following benefits: – A framework for improving self awareness and management – A vocabulary for all different types of people to improve communication – A tool for leadership, communication, team and relationship development – A method for identifying stressors and how to manage them
Perception and decision-making
Interest orientation
Personality Types – Four Dimensions How we interact with the world and where we direct our energy The kind of information that we naturally notice How we make decisions Whether we prefer to live in a more structured way or a more spontaneous way
What type are you? As we learn about each dimension, write down what you think your preferences are
Extraversion or Introversion
We all use both preferences, but not usually with equal comfort
People who prefer Extraversion
People who prefer Introversion
Where do you prefer to focus your attention? Where do you get your energy? Extravert Characteristics Gregarious Assertive Talkative Social/outgoing Likes groups, parties, etc. Energized by interaction Expressive & enthusiastic Volunteers personal information Distractable Has many friends Easy to approach Introvert Characteristics Energized by time alone Private Keeps to self Quiet Deliberate Internally aware Fewer friends Prefer smaller groups Independent Not socially inclined Enjoys solitude Thinks before speaking
Sensing or iNtuition
We all use both ways of perceiving, but we typically prefer and trust one Sensing or iNtuition
People who prefer Sensing
People who prefer iNtuition
How do you prefer to take in information? Sensing Characteristics Concrete Realistic Lives in the present Aware of surroundings Notices details Practical Goes by senses Factual Intuition Characteristics Future-focused Sees possibilities Inventive Imaginative Deep Abstract Idealistic Complicated Theoretical
Thinking or Feeling
Both processes are rational and we use both of them, but usually not equally easily Thinking or Feeling
People who prefer Thinking
People who prefer Feeling
How do you make decisions? Thinking Characteristics Logical Objective Decides with head Wants truth Rational Impersonal Critical Thick-skinned Firm with people Driven by thought Feeling Characteristics Decides with heart Dislikes conflict Passionate Driven by emotion Gentle Easily hurt Empathetic Caring of others Warm
Judging or Perceiving
We all use both attitudes, but usually not with equal comfort Judging or Perceiving
People who prefer Judging
People who prefer Perceiving
How do you deal with the outer world? Judging Characteristics Decisive Controlled Good at finishing Organized Structured Scheduled Quick at tasks Responsible Likes closure Makes plans Perceiving Characteristics Adaptable Relaxed Disorganized Care-free Spontaneous Changes tracks midway Keeps options open Procrastinates Dislikes routine Flexible
Check your answer by completing the online test at: What type are you?
16 Personality Types ISTJ “ Take Your Time and Do It Right ” ISFJ “ On My Honor, to Do My Duty… ” INFJ “ Catalyst for Positive Change ” INTJ “ Competence + Independence = Perfection ” ISTP “ Doing the Best I Can With What I ’ ve Got ” ISFP “ It ’ s the Thought That Counts ” INFP “ Still Waters Run Deep ” INTP “ Ingenious Problem Solvers ” ESTP “ Let ’ s Get Busy! ” ESFP “ Don ’ t Worry, Be Happy ” ENFP “ Anything ’ s Possible ” ENTP “ Life ’ s Entrepreneurs ” ESTJ “ Taking Care of Business ” ESFJ “ What Can I Do For You? ” ENFJ “ The Public Relations Specialist ” ENTJ “ Everything ’ s Fine – I ’ m in Charge ”
Why isn’t everyone like me? What would your team be like if everyone was the same type as you?
Team Type Table I N F J I S F P
Working with the Team Type Table
Sources of stress
Extrovert / Introvert stressors
Coping with being different
Intuitive / Sensing stressors
Coping with being different
Thinking / Feeling stressors
Coping with being different
Judging/ Perceiving stressors
Coping with being different
Something to think about How does your type contribute to the team? What are the pitfalls for your type? What are your next steps? Learn more about personality types -
Summary No personality type is better or worse than any other. All have their own unique strengths. Knowing your type means that you aware and can use your strengths, and focus on closing any gaps. Knowing your team member types can help you effectively use everyone’s strengths. www/linkedin.com/in/fordrm Robert Ford Fordrm