Who am I and why ?

I recently undertook a Myers Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) test at work.

It was to find out my weaknesses as a person and also how to learn to deal with people who are different personality types.

Your personality type is something you are born with. Sure, you can change the way you behave in the workplace or at home but this isn't always the true you.

You sometimes answer or deal with things due to peer pressure or "what's right" but you could be going against what your inner self thinks or feels.

The idea of the MBTI test is to answer a number of questions about yourself, your thoughts, your feelings, etc in different scenarios.

Some of the questions appear repetitive but this is by design. It's trying to find out the real you rather than the actor you. At the end of the test you are given a four letter "type" code.

The four letters signify your personality type and can help to determine why you feel like you do about certain situations.

MBTI Codes

E/I - Extrovert or Introvert
S/N - Sensing or iNtuition
T/F - Thinking or Feeling
J/P - Judging or Perceiving

Put simply:

Extroverts tend to be "Do-think-do", Introverts tend to be "Think-do-think"
Sensing prefers facts, Intuition prefers ideas
Thinking prefers logic, Feeling prefers values / convictions
Judging prefers to be organised, Perceiving prefers spontaneity

So you may be given a code such as ESTJ.

This means you show the following qualities: Extrovert, Sensing, Thinking and Judging.

What does it mean?

If you equate this to human characteristics it means that you are likely to be:

Positive attributes

• Able to decide direction quickly
• Set high standards and expect others to know what's expected of them
• Good at following plans and meeting deadlines
• Allocate resources well

Negative attributes

• Can be impatient
• May be too outspoken and direct
• Can micromanage situations
• Unlikely to give positive comments out such as praise

How can it help?

Now, there's no right or wrong personality when it comes to taking this test. It just tries to define "who" you are.

This can be of great help when trying to deal with situations where conflict may arise, such at work.

If you know you're an Introvert and you know you're dealing with an Extrovert then you would approach them in a different way than if you were both Introverts. It can help you understand why people behave in certain ways. They are not being difficult, they are just being them.

They say opposites attract and this is often the case with MBTI. My wife is totally the opposite character type to me but we have a very strong relationship. Yes, we have our issues but at least we both know our strengths and weaknesses and can work towards resolving the conflict.

Why don't you find out about yourself by taking a test? It only takes 15 or so minutes...

I don't want to recommend any particular test or web site but if you use your favourite search engine for "Free MBTI Tests" you should get plenty of links.

Oh and if you're interested, I'm an ISTJ

Enjoy!