1. INTERPRETING THE MYERS-BRIGGS
Ronnie White
Extension Professor
Mississippi State University

2. THE MYERS-BRIGGS TYPE INDICATOR (MBTI)
The MBTI was developed by Katherine C. Briggs and Isabel Briggs Myers
It is based on C.G.Jung’s “Psychological Types”

3. THE MYERS-BRIGGS TYPE INDICATOR (MBTI)
Each type and individual has special gifts. There is no right or wrong type,no better or worse combinations of types in work or relationships
Each person is unique
Everyone uses each of the preferences to some degree

4. THE MYERS-BRIGGS TYPE INDICATOR (MBTI)
The purpose of knowing about type is to help you understand yourself and to enhance your relationship through appreciation of individual differences

5. THE MYERS-BRIGGS TYPE INDICATOR (MBTI)
On the average, approximately 75% of all who take the MBTI agree with the assessment.
Your results on the MBTI suggest your probable type based on how you answered the questions; Only you know your true preferences

6. THE FOUR PREFERENCE SCALES
The MBTI reports preferences on 4 scales, each consisting of two opposite poles
One does use both sides of each preference, though not with equal liking

7. THE FOUR PREFERENCE SCALES
Preference scores show only the strength of the preference of one element over the other
Everyone has a natural preference for one of the two opposites on each of the scales
A useful analogy is with your hands

8. THE FOUR PREFERENCES ARE
Extraversion or Introversion: Where you prefer to focus your attention
Sensing or Intuition: The way you prefer to take in information (N is used instead of the I)

9. THE FOUR PREFERENCES ARE
Thinking or Feeling: The way you prefer to make decisions
Judgment or Perception: How you orient yourself to the external world

10. CHARACTERISTICS OF E
Extraversion: Direct their energy and attention outward and receive energy from external events and experiences
An extravert’s essential stimulation is from the outer world of people and things

11. CHARACTERISTICS OF I
Introversion: Direct their energy and attention inward and receive energy from their internal thoughts, feelings, and reflections
An introvert’s essential stimulation is from within the inner world

12. CHARACTERISTICS OF E Prefer to communicate by talking
Learn best by doing
Sociable and expressive
Take initiative in work and relationships

13. CHARACTERISTICS OF I Prefer to communicate by writing
Learn best by reflection
Private and contained

14. CHARACTERISTICS OF E OR I
Extraverts act, Then (MAYBE) Reflect
Introverts reflect, Then (MAYBE) act

15. KEY WORDS FOR E OR I
Extraverts: Active, Outward,sociable, and expressive
Introverts: Reflective, Inward, Reserved, and quiet

16. PREFERENCE SCORES
E-I: slight 11-13, moderate 14-16,clear 17-19, very clear 20-21
S-N:slight 13-15, moderate 16-20,clear 21-24, very clear 25-26
T-F:slight 12-14,moderate 15-18,clear 19-22, very clear 23-24
J-P:slight 11-13,moderate14-16,clear 17-20, very clear 21-22

17. PREFERENCE SCORES
Low scores often times indicate that a person may have answered in a socially expected manner, or they are not sure which preference is the most comfortable.
Did not answer all of the items

18. PREFERENCE SCORES
Low scores do not indicate that you have good command of both preferences
A person should assess which preference they would adequately use the most
Do not measure skills, ability or even degree of use

19. CHARACTERISTICS OF S
Sensing: Observant of what is going on around them and are especially good at recognizing the practical realities of a situation
Takes in information by way of the five senses – sight, sound, feel, taste, and smell

20. CHARACTERISTICS OF N
Intuition: Grasp patterns and are especially good at seeing new possibilities and different ways of doing things
Information is processed by way of a “sixth sense” or “hunch”

21. CHARACTERISTICS OF S Focus on what is real/actual
Value practical applications
Notice details
Present-oriented
Want information step-by-step
Trust experience

22. CHARACTERISTICS OF N Focus on possibilities
See patterns and meaning in facts
Future-oriented
Jump around, leap in anywhere
Trust inspiration

23. CHARACTERISTICS OF S OR N
Sensing: Likes set procedures, established routines
Intuition: Likes change and variety

24. KEY WORDS FOR S OR N
Sensing: Details, practical, facts, directions, repetition, enjoyment, and conserve
Intuition: Patterns, future, imaginative, innovations, hunches, variety, and change

25. CHARACTERISTICS OF T
Thinking: Make decisions on the basis of logic and objective considerations
Thinking: A strength is application of their problem-solving abilities

26. CHARACTERISTICS OF T Decides with the head Analytical
Logical problem-solvers
“Tough-minded”
Reasonable
Fair

27. CHARACTERISTICS OF F
Consider what is important to them and to other people
Identify with the people involved

28. CHARACTERISTICS OF F Decides with the heart Sympathetic
Guided by personal values
“Tender-hearted”
Compassionate
Accepting

29. KEY WORDS FOR T OR F
Thinking: Head, objective, justice, cool, impersonal, criticize, analyze, and precise
Feeling: Heart, subjective, harmony, caring, personal, appreciate, and values

30. CHARACTERISTICS OF J
Judgment: A judging lifestyle is decisive, planned, and orderly

31. CHARACTERISTICS OF P
Perception: A perceptive lifestyle is flexible, adaptable, and spontaneous

32. CHARACTERISTICS OF J Scheduled Organized Systematic Plan
Avoid last-minute stresses

33. CHARACTERISTICS OF P Spontaneous Casual Flexible Adapt
Feel energized by last-minute pressures

34. KEY WORDS FOR J OR P
Judgment: Organized, structure, control, decisive, closure, plan, productive;
Perception: Flexible, flow, curious, spontaneous, openness, receptive.

35. WHEN COMBINED, YOUR 4 PREFERENCES ARE
Extraversion or Introversion
Sensing or Intuition
Thinking or Feeling
Judgment or Perception

36. POINTS TO REMEMBER Everyone uses each preference to some degree
Type does not explain everything
Type should not keep you from considering any career, etc.

37. SIXTEEN TYPES ISTJ ISFJ INFJ INTJ ISTP ISFP INFP INTP
ESTP ESFP ENFP ENTP
ESTJ ESFJ ENFJ ENTJ

38. Common Type Biases E’s may think I’s are withholding information
I’s may think E’s are changing their minds
S’s may think N’s are changing the subject
N’s may think S’s are unimaginative
T’s may think F’s are over-personalizing
F’s may think T’s are harsh and cold

39. Mutual Usefulness of Opposite Types
N types benefit from S types:
Pertinent facts, reality,experience, read the fine print
S types benefit from N types:
New possibilities, future trends, long-term goals

40. Mutual Usefulness Cont’d.
F types benefit from T types:
Consequences, critical feedback, stand firm, fair.
T types benefit from F types:
How others feel, praise, teach and coach, harmony

41. Effects of T/F & J/P
TJ: Logical decision makers, tough minded, analytical
TP: Adaptable thinkers, objective, skeptical, curious
FP: Gentle types, adaptable, seek harmony
FJ: Benevolent administrators, care about people and their needs, harmony

42. Effects of S/N & T/F types:
ST: Facts, experience, technical skills
SF: Facts, concerns of people, practical
NF: Possibilities, understanding, personal
NT: Possibilities, theory, technical

43. Effects of E/I & J/P Types:
IJ: Decisive introverts, persevering
IP: Adaptable introverts, firm on issues
EP:Adaptable extroverts, active, energetic
EJ: Decisive extraverts, fast-moving

44. YOUR ACTION PLAN Now you know more about yourself and others
What are you going to do with this knowledge?

45. USING THE MBTI In situations requiring cooperation and teamwork:
1. To select teams, task forces, and work groups with sufficient diversity to solve group problems.

46. USING THE MBTI:
2. To help group members recognize, appreciate, and make use of the strengths of each type in the group;
3. To conduct meetings so as to take advantage of the contribution of each type.

47. USING THE MBTI:
4. To help those who work together understand how previously irritating and obstructive differences can become a source of amusement, interest, and strength.

48. USING THE MBTI:
5. To learn the approaches that are most likely to earn agreement and cooperation from each type;
6. To create a climate where differences are seen as interesting and valuable, rather than problematic.

49. USING THE MBTI: Career interests and choices:
- Sensing + Thinking (ST): The “bottom line”, results-oriented people; examples of career choice: applied science, business, administration, banking, law enforcement, and production.

50. USING THE MBTI:
-Sensing + Feeling (SF): Drawn to opportunities for practical service to people; Examples of career choices: Health care, community service, teaching, supervising, religious service, office work, and sales.

51. USING THE MBTI:
- Intuition + Feeling (NF): See and want to facilitate possibilities for people;Examples of career choices:Psychology, research, literature, art and music, health care, religious service, and teaching.

52. USING THE MBTI:
- Intuition + Thinking (NT): Drawn to opportunities for problem solving, analysis, and design; Examples of career choices: Physical science, research, management, computers, law, engineering, and technical work.

53. USING THE MBTI: Supervising others/preferred leadership styles:
-TJ: Logical decision makers who tend to be tough-minded, analytical, and instrumental leaders. They make decisions based on principles and systems.

54. USING THE MBTI:
TP: Adaptable thinkers who tend to be objective, skeptical, and curious, especially about materials or possibilities.They create consistent and orderly frameworks for understanding and leading.

55. USING THE MBTI:
FP: Gentle types who tend to be adaptable, seek harmony and affiliation, and are concerned with the human aspects of problems. They lead by encouragement and coaching.

56. USING THE MBTI:
FJ: Benevolent administrators who tend to be observant about people and their needs, bring harmony into relationships. They are expressive leaders who inspire and teach others.

57. EFFECTS OF PREFERENCES IN WORK SITUATIONS
Extraversion: Like variety and action; often impatient with long, slow jobs; often act quickly; like having people around; and learn new tasks by talking and doing.

58. EFFECTS OF PREFERENCES IN WORK SITUATIONS:
Introversion: Like quiet for concentration; tend not to mind working on one project for a long time; develop ideas by reflection; like working alone with no interruptions; and learn new tasks by reading and reflecting.

59. EFFECTS OF PREFERENCES IN WORK SITUATIONS:
Sensing: Like using experience and standard ways to solve problems; like to present the details of their work first; and usually proceed step-by-step.

60. EFFECTS OF PREFERENCES IN WORK SITUATIONS:
Intuition: Like solving new complex problems; may ignore or overlook facts; like to present an overview of their work first; and usually proceed in bursts of energy.

61. EFFECTS OF PREFERENCES IN WORK SITUATIONS:
Thinking: Use logical analysis to reach conclusions; may hurt people’s feelings without knowing it; tend to be firm-minded and can give criticism when appropriate; and feel rewarded when the job is done well.

62. EFFECTS OF PREFERENCES IN WORK SITUATIONS:
Feeling: Use values to reach conclusions; enjoy pleasing people, even in unimportant things; look at the underlying values in the situation; and feel rewarded when people’s needs are met.

63. EFFECTS OF PREFERENCES IN WORK SITUATIONS:
Judging: Work best when they can plan their work and follow their plan; like to get things settled and finished; reach closure by deciding quickly; and focus on completion of a project.

64. EFFECTS OF PREFERENCES IN WORK SITUATIONS:
Perceiving: Enjoy flexibility in their work; like to leave things open for last-minute changes; may postpone unpleasant tasks that need to be done; and focus on the process of a project.

65. NATIONAL STATISTICS E = 70% 30% = I S = 70% 30% = N
T = 60% M, 40% F, 40% M, 60% F = F
J = 55% % = P

66. MISSISSIPPI STATISTICS: N = 11,000
E = 54% % = I
S = 74% % = N
T = 54% M, 46% F 54% F, 46% M = F
J = 64% % = P

67. THE END
Ronnie White
Leader –Organizational Development & Associate Professor
Mississippi State University