Understanding Yourself And Others In The

Workplace

A Seminar provided by REACH

Employee Assistance Program

How The Myers-Briggs Came To Be

MBTI began with studies of Carl Jung on the different ways that human beings perceive reality and make judgments and decisions.

As a result of his studies, Jung developed the theory of temperaments. He identified four different psychological functions by which we perceive and judge reality: sensing and intuition as a perceiving function and thinking and feeling as a judging function. He believed that with everyone, one of each of these pairs of functions is dominant and the other is auxiliary. The dominant functions become second nature/habitual ways of acting.

Carl Jung also coined the terms introvert and extrovert to explain our dominant orientation to the world of internal and external influences. Whereas the introvert looks more toward the inner world of ideas and concepts, the extrovert is more influenced by the outer world of people and things.

How The Myers-Briggs Came To Be

Jung was influenced by the Chinese theory of opposites--the yin and the yang. He believed that there are opposing forces in our personality. In this, we need to have some sense of balance between these opposing forces in order to attain maturity and wholeness. He believed that developing our non-dominant personality characteristics is akin to learning to use our non-dominant hand--it takes strenuous effort, self-discipline, suffering and practice. Jung wrote a book entitled psychological types which explained his theory.

Katherine Briggs and her daughter Isabel Myers took the eight different personality characteristics identified by Jung and developed 16 different personality variations and an instrument for identifying these. They called this instrument the Myers-Briggs type indicator (MBTI).

Purpose

Know more about your own personalities

Know more about the personalities of others who are significant in your life

Learn how to be more effective in interpersonal relationships

Learn how to maximize the effectiveness of teams by understanding the personality types of yourself and others

Comparing Extroverts And Introverts

Comparing Extroverts And Introverts

Extroverts Introverts

Energydirected outward toward people, directed inward toward things and ideas concepts and ideas

Focuswants to change the world wants to understand

the world

Attituderelaxed and confident, accessible reserved and

questioning, and understandable subtle and impenetrable

Work environmentvaried and action-oriented, prefers quiet and

concentrated, to be around others prefers to be alone

Comparing Sensing And Intuition

Sensing IntuitionMode of perception

five senses (experience) “sixth sense” (possibilities)

Focusdetails, practicality, reality, patterns, innovation,

expectation, present enjoyment and future achievement

Orientationlive life as it is change, rearrange life

Work environmentprefers using learned skills, prefers adding new skills,

looks at pays attention to details, and the “big picture”, and is

patient makes few factual errors with complexity

Comparing Thinkers And Feelers

Thinking FeelingFocus

logic of a situation, things, human values and needs, people,

truth and principles tact and harmony

Work environmentbrief and business-like, naturally friendly, personal,impersonal and treats others treats others as they

needfairly to be treated

Contribution to societyintellectual, critical of loyal, supportive, shows careexposure of wrongs and and concern for others, solutions to problems enthusiastic

Comparing Judging And Perception

Judgment perceptionAttitude

decisive, playful, likes to curious, spontaneous, be right, self-regimented misses nothing, flexible,and purposeful adaptable and tolerant

Work environmentfocus on completing tasks, focus on starting a task,making decisions quickly, postpones decisions,and wants only the essentials and wants to find out allof the job about the job

“The Staff Vacation”

Determine:1.What you are going to do2. Where you are going to go3. Who’s in charge of what4. When you are going and

how

Appreciation

Extroverts need introverts to know: I feel more comfortable talking than listening, so when I am

listening, appreciate it I have a wide variety of interests which I enjoy pursing

actively, sitting is not one of them To me, talking is sharing-I'm giving of myself when I talk I draft ideas, process, and think out loud Because I think out loud, what I say could change quickly

once I have heard what I think I do my decision making verbally I get energized by people I love distractions and interruptions

Appreciation

Introverts need extroverts to know: I need you to give me space and time to respond Don’t ask me if I am okay Don’t arrange to spend time alone with me and then show up

with three friends Quiet is okay, constant conversation distracts me and is draining If you want to talk about something serious to me, I need to cut

down on the distractions (i.e.--T.V.) Don’t tell me I need more stuff on my walls Don’t assume I want to be introduced to someone Ask me before you come into my space or change things that

belong to me I want to go deeper in conversations, I get bored with shallow

subjects

Appreciation

Intuitives need sensors to know: I don’t like doing routine tasks over and over I would like praise from you when I do the hard work of

paying attention to details When you give me all the instructions for doing something

it makes me think you think I am stupid Provide me with only the minimum conclusions I need to

reach a conclusion Please don’t bore me with details We “N's” often have a hard time understanding each other

too

Appreciation

Sensors need intuitives to know: We need facts, give us details If you don’t give me the facts that fit into the leaps in your

thoughts, I will probably make up some of my own explanations

Your leaps lose me, please slow down if you want me to stay with you and what you are telling me

I need a step by step process I need directions, models, and examples I can become very uncomfortable around you because your

leaps feel threatening, risky, and lacking in logic

Appreciation

Feelers need thinkers to know: I would like more sensitivity from you -- I sometimes feel blasted

or criticized by you Don’t give me praise just because you think I want it I easily get shut down by “T” remarks I take in all that comes at me, when it’s all negative it has a

negative effect Dealing with a “T” can be more of an emotional hassle than it’s

worth “T’s” make me angry, but I appreciate the balance that you offer I need to know from “T's” that I am valued as a person Genuine praise does not feel phony to me

Appreciation

Thinkers need feelers to know: I wish you would be objective, not subjective You don’t hear from me when things are going well because I

assume that’s how it should be I have a hard time taking positive feedback -- it feels best

when I get positive feedback on my competence from someone I consider competent

I tend to not give positive feedback I do have strong emotions and feelings If you want to know whether I value something, watch what I

do with it (i.e.-Use a gift) I need recognition for giving positive personal feedback

Appreciation

Judgers need perceivers to know: We would prefer that you not interrupt us, if you must, tell us

by when you will need us to respond We need your possibilities, but please give them to us at the

beginning of a project and don’t overload us We need to know what is expected ahead of time You need to make it clear that you are considering something

versus having already decided it -- your musing sometimes sound like decisions

Our sense of time is very strong and very concrete We need closure and will work very hard for it We desire control over jobs and organizations Our work ethic is very strong -- we will get the job done We structure our fun -- we have to earn it

Appreciation

Perceivers need judgers to know: We need you to put order into our lives My decision making process includes giving time a chance To some of us making schedules is noxious -- it violates the

creative process I get the feeling you are not very open minded I am not good with lists The fact that things are in chaos around me does not mean that I

am disorganized We are the maybe people, snap decisions are very difficult and

frustrating to us We enjoy being flexible My need for more information is not procrastination I admit to sometimes making decisions by default

SP = 38% of population

SPs must be free, not tied or bound or confined or obligated. Strongest sense of realism. Today must be enjoyed. Impulsive, restless. Achieve fewer goals & goals are more tentatively held. Hunger for action without constraint. Tools are SP’s master- must fly the plane, wield the scalpel—they almost becomes an extension of the self. SPs are some of the worlds best performing artists and endurance athletes. Not saddled with rules; everything is negotiable. Good in a crisis.

Appreciating the SP

SPs appreciate recognition of the clever, facile ways they work. Commendation for the grace and flair of their actions is more important than note of how much work was done. If the work entails risks and taking chances, this should be noticed. Boldness, bravery, endurance, cleverness, adaptation and timing are what SPs pride themselves on.

SJ = 38% of population

SJs exist to be useful to their “social units.” Must belong, and belonging must be earned. Often caretakers, givers, almost parental. Compelled to be bound & obligated. Belief in hierachy, rules and that status must be earned. To an SP, each member is equal within a social unit. Sps show pessimism, and preparedness. Stabilizers of social & economic worlds Activity oriented. Must keep busy.

Appreciating the SJ

Caution, carefulness, thoroughness and accuracy of work are valued by the SJ, who is product oriented. Appreciates being recognized as a responsible, loyal and industrious person. Need an abundance of appreciation, though have difficulty showing pleasure when recognized.

NT = 12% of population

NTs are often scientists. Human power over nature fascinates, and NTs strive to be able to understand, control, predict, & explain realities. They come across as almost addicted to acquiring intelligence. Self critical-- must be competent, with a compulsion to improve. Badger themselves about errors; ruthlessly monitor progress. Keep a list of “should know’s.” Perfectionists. Individualist & sometimes arrogant.

Appreciating the NT

Want to be appreciated for their ideas. Want an intelligent listener who will take the trouble to follow the complexities of the NT’s ideas. Do not want recognition for routine tasks well done-this makes them suspicious.

NF = 12% of population

NFs are difficult for the other types to understand. For them, the purpose of life is to have a purpose in life. Hunger for uniqueness. NFs are often writers, teachers & novelists; they choose careers where they might influence the world. Extraordinary capability to appear to his beholder to be whatever the beholder wants to see (very adaptable). Difficulty placing limits on amount of time & energy devoted to work. Need to feel their work has significance as well as provides a service.

Appreciating the NF

NFs want to be recognized as unique persons making unique contributions. They have more difficulty accepting negative criticism than others, can easily become immobilized and discouraged. NFs want constant feedback that their ideas and feelings are understood.

Conclusion

These are just preferences Not good or bad We can all work on balance With stress we get entrenched in our

ways and may not see how we may irritate others

Info taken from Please Understand Me by David Keirsey & Marilyn Bates; Introduction to Type, by Isabel Briggs Myers; MBTI Teambuilding Program leader’s Resource Guide by Sandra Krebs Hirsh