Understanding Individual Differences

Myers-Briggs Debrief

Understanding Individual Differences

Exercise Summary1. How groups were formed for this exercise Using 2 dimensions of cognitive style Surveys you took were mini-version of real test Groups were not really cognitively homogenous2. Questions: How did it feel to be part of a homogenous group? Could you sense that there was cognitive similarity?

Understanding Individual Differences

Exercise Summary

3. Outcomes: Cognitive diversity can lead to process loss

and inefficiency or can lead to efficiency and teamwork.

4. Goal of this exercise: To minimize process loss by grouping people

with common personality types.

Understanding Individual DifferencesExercise Summary

5. How to use this at work: If two dimensions have predictive value, we can

make predictions about how others will behave. If we understand where individuals fit on these two

dimensions, it may lead to clearer communications and better outcomes.

We can create norms of interaction that respect differences

Understanding Individual DifferencesThe Two Dimensions Used in the Exercise ST: Problem focus: set up leadership and formal

structure; work fast; define solutions not processes; concentrate on routines and procedures; Task oriented, look for cost/benefit.

SF: People focus, hierarchical but open to unstructured situations, concerned about human qualities of people doing work as individuals, interest in maintaining good interpersonal and social relations a primary focus, focus on facts; how to handle problems with empathy.

Understanding Individual DifferencesThe Two Dimensions Used in the Exercise

NT: Theoretical orientation, comfortable with complex situations, concentrate of defining problems, goals, analytical in the abstract; often create complicated procedures, using a messy process with little consensus.

NF: Creative process, guided by insights and imagination emphasizing decentralized, humanistic organizations; Moral concerns with a “people orientation”, less concerned with structure. Comfortable with ambiguity.

Understanding Individual DifferencesHow we gather information: Sensing (S) – getting the facts, good at details,

comfortable with standard solutions to problem solving, working with tested ideas

Intuition (N) – developing data through insight and imagination, get bored with routine, see the possibilities, less concerned with facts, seek innovation, see the big picture

Understanding Individual Differences

How we make decisions: Thinking (T) – analytical, look for

cost/benefit/ focus on analysis/prefer clarity, task oriented

Feeling (F) – personal convictions or beliefs, can become committed to personal views, nostalgic, traditional, principles oriented

Understanding Individual Differences

How we choose priorities: Perceiving (P) – oriented towards generating

data, can procrastinate, open minded and curious, comfortable with ambiguity

Judging (J) – oriented towards decision making, clarity, order, dislike ambiguity, decisions are important not information gathering

Understanding Individual DifferencesHow we establish relationships: Extravert (E) – requires variety and stimulation,

become bored easily, sociable, look for new situations, often viewed as influential, not easily organized, like meetings

Introvert (I) – Think things through before communicating, harder to get to know, communication is more of a strain, few tasks at one time, few interruptions, others around the introvert often feel left in the dark

Understanding Individual DifferencesInterpretation of Individual Scores Consider how cognitive differences affect organizational

situations Four or more points viewed as a significant preference, less

than four points means no clear preference on that dimension Does your score feel right? You can probably think of a situation where your behavior

was inconsistent with your Myers-Briggs score No right or wrong answers, your results represent a lifetime

of experience According to the theory, we all have the ability and potential

to develop both sides the personality dimension

Understanding Individual DifferencesClosing Thoughts

There are differences based on country, culture, and experience Age and education influence personality Risk of organizational homogeneity Seek balance in your own personality, balance is the key to effectiveness

and this ability resides within all of us To derive the best solution seek cognitive diversity, groups grasped only

a part of the problem, best solution was a combination of ideas Psychological testing can deepen self-knowledge, and improve teamwork

but can be misused in promotion and hiring decisions