Meyers-Briggs Type Meyers-Briggs Type IndicatorIndicator

Chuck SharrowChuck SharrowSteve EickoffSteve EickoffMohd ZainMohd Zain

Fall 2004, University of MinnesotaFall 2004, University of Minnesota

What is the Myers-Briggs What is the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator?Type Indicator?

Popular tool for determining Popular tool for determining personality preferencespersonality preferences

Very popular within industry and Very popular within industry and schoolsschools

Used for team building, career Used for team building, career guidance, leadership and guidance, leadership and management management 

History of the MBTI  History of the MBTI  

Was developed by Katherine C Briggs and Was developed by Katherine C Briggs and her daughter Isabel Myersher daughter Isabel Myers

Started in 1920’s and after a rigorous Started in 1920’s and after a rigorous research, validity and reliability testing it research, validity and reliability testing it was published in 1975was published in 1975

Translated into 16 languages and taken by Translated into 16 languages and taken by over 2 million people per yearover 2 million people per year

Based on the work of Swiss psychologist Based on the work of Swiss psychologist Carl Jung who described personality type Carl Jung who described personality type preferencespreferences

It's a self-report questionnaire, It's a self-report questionnaire, an indicator not a test, so there an indicator not a test, so there are no right or wrong answers are no right or wrong answers

Looks at normal behavior Looks at normal behavior It identifies preferences rather It identifies preferences rather

than competencies, abilities or than competencies, abilities or skillsskills

No personality type is better or No personality type is better or worse - each has its own giftsworse - each has its own gifts

Characteristics of Myers-Characteristics of Myers-Briggs Type IndicatorBriggs Type Indicator

The 4 scales of the MBTI The 4 scales of the MBTI 

EExtroversion or xtroversion or IIntroversion ntroversion

SSensing or iensing or iNNtuition tuition TThinking or hinking or FFeeling eeling JJudging or udging or PPerceiving erceiving

Extroversion and Introversion  Extroversion and Introversion 

People who prefer Extroversion…People who prefer Extroversion… Focus their energy and attention Focus their energy and attention

outwardlyoutwardly Receive energy from interacting with Receive energy from interacting with

people and from taking action people and from taking action  Are energized by interacting with peopleAre energized by interacting with people Enjoy meeting and talking with new Enjoy meeting and talking with new

peoplepeople Speak out easily and often at meetings Speak out easily and often at meetings Do their thinking as they speakDo their thinking as they speak Readily take initiative in work & Readily take initiative in work &

relationshipsrelationships

Extroversion and IntroversionExtroversion and Introversion

People who prefer Introversion…People who prefer Introversion… Focus their energy and attention Focus their energy and attention

inwardlyinwardly Are interested in the world of thoughts Are interested in the world of thoughts

and reflectionsand reflections Hold back at meetings and often have Hold back at meetings and often have

trouble getting involvedtrouble getting involved Become drained and tired with people Become drained and tired with people Need time to gather their thoughts Need time to gather their thoughts

before speakingbefore speaking Prefer to communicate in writingPrefer to communicate in writing Take initiative when the situation or Take initiative when the situation or

issue is very important to themissue is very important to them

Relationship to ManagementRelationship to Management

Neither type proven better Neither type proven better suited for managementsuited for management

Conflict resolution differencesConflict resolution differences Reaction to issuesReaction to issues Differences in focusDifferences in focus

Sensing and iNtuitionSensing and iNtuition

People who prefer Sensing...  People who prefer Sensing...  Are practical and realisticAre practical and realistic Start at the beginning and take 1 step at Start at the beginning and take 1 step at

a timea time Live in the present, dealing with the here Live in the present, dealing with the here

and nowand now Trust experienceTrust experience Like set procedures, established Like set procedures, established

routines and historical precedents to routines and historical precedents to guide themguide them

Work thoroughly step by step towards Work thoroughly step by step towards conclusionsconclusions

Sensing and iNtuitionSensing and iNtuition

People who prefer iNtuition... People who prefer iNtuition...  Oriented to future possibilitiesOriented to future possibilities Are imaginative and inventiveAre imaginative and inventive Study the overall design to see how the Study the overall design to see how the

parts fitparts fit Thrive on change, new ideas and varietyThrive on change, new ideas and variety Prefer imaginative new solutions to Prefer imaginative new solutions to

problems, often becoming impatient with problems, often becoming impatient with detailsdetails

Move quickly to conclusions, follow Move quickly to conclusions, follow huncheshunches

Relationship to ManagementRelationship to Management

Ss favor concrete and factual Ss favor concrete and factual data, while Ns rely on hunchesdata, while Ns rely on hunches

Preferences for information Preferences for information processingprocessing

Predominance in top Predominance in top managementmanagement

Thinking and FeelingThinking and Feeling

People who prefer Thinking…People who prefer Thinking… Make their decisions based on Make their decisions based on

impersonal, objective logic  impersonal, objective logic  Focus on the facts and principlesFocus on the facts and principles Don’t take their emotions or those Don’t take their emotions or those

of others into accountof others into account Are good at analyzing a situation Are good at analyzing a situation

and spotting flaws and and spotting flaws and inconsistencies inconsistencies

Thinking and FeelingThinking and Feeling

People who prefer Feeling…People who prefer Feeling… Make their decisions based on a Make their decisions based on a

person-centered, value-based person-centered, value-based processprocess

Focus on the personal values of Focus on the personal values of people and  organizationspeople and  organizations

Are good at understanding people Are good at understanding people and their viewpointsand their viewpoints

Value and trust own feelings when Value and trust own feelings when making decisionsmaking decisions

Relationship to ManagementRelationship to Management

Decision making stylesDecision making styles Types of management positions Types of management positions

heldheld Conflict managementConflict management

Judging and PerceivingJudging and Perceiving

People who prefer Judging…People who prefer Judging… Like to live in a planned, orderly Like to live in a planned, orderly

wayway Lives tend to be structured and Lives tend to be structured and

organized organized  Handle deadlines and time limits Handle deadlines and time limits

wellwell Like getting to the bottom line Like getting to the bottom line

quickly and deciding things quicklyquickly and deciding things quickly

Judging and PerceivingJudging and Perceiving

People who prefer Perceiving…People who prefer Perceiving… Want to explore all options before Want to explore all options before

decidingdeciding Prefer to stay open to new Prefer to stay open to new

information and last-minute information and last-minute optionsoptions

Adapt well to changing situations Adapt well to changing situations and like to respond resourcefullyand like to respond resourcefully

May have trouble making May have trouble making decisionsdecisions

Relationship to ManagementRelationship to Management

Career decisionsCareer decisions Type of work environmentType of work environment Management styleManagement style

Personality TypesPersonality Types

Combined preferences indicate Combined preferences indicate your personality type your personality type 

Each personality type lends Each personality type lends itself to particular careersitself to particular careers

What type are you?What type are you?

Typical CareersTypical Careers

ISTJISTJmanagementmanagementaccountingaccountingauditingauditingefficiency expertefficiency expertengineerengineergeologistgeologistbank examinersbank examinersorganization developmentorganization developmentelectricianselectriciansdentistsdentistspharmacistpharmacist

ISFJISFJcounselingministrylibrary worknursingsecretarialcuratorsbookkeepersdental hygienistscomputer operatorpersonnel administratorparalegal

INFJINFJcareer counselorcareer counselorpsychologistpsychologisteducational consultanteducational consultantartistartisteditor/art directoreditor/art directorinformation-graphics designerinformation-graphics designermerchandise plannermerchandise plannerenvironmental lawyerenvironmental lawyerjob analystjob analysteducational consultanteducational consultantarchitectsarchitects

INTJINTJmanagement consultantmanagement consultanteconomisteconomistscientistscientistnew business developernew business developeradministratoradministratormathematicianmathematicianpsychologistpsychologistbiomedical researcherbiomedical researchercivil engineercivil engineereditor/art directoreditor/art directorinventorinventor

Typical CareersTypical Careers

ISTPISTPsurveyorsurveyorfire fighterfire fighterprivate investigatorprivate investigatorpilotpilotpolice officerpolice officerpurchasing agentpurchasing agentchiropractorchiropractormedical technicianmedical techniciansecurities analystsecurities analystcomputer repair personcomputer repair person

ISFPISFPbookkeeperbookkeeperclerical supervisorclerical supervisordental assistantdental assistantphysical therapistphysical therapistmechanicmechanicradiology technologistradiology technologistsurveyorsurveyorchefchefforesterforester

INFPINFP

information-graphics designerinformation-graphics designercollege professorcollege professorresearcherresearcherlegal mediatorlegal mediatorsocial workersocial workerholistic health practitionerholistic health practitioneroccupational therapistoccupational therapistdiversity managerdiversity managerhuman resource development human resource development specialistspecialist

INTPINTP

strategic planningstrategic planningwriterwriterstaff developmentstaff developmentlawyerlawyerarchitectarchitectsoftware designersoftware designerfinancial analystfinancial analystcollege professorcollege professorphotographerphotographerlogicianlogician

Typical CareersTypical Careers

ESTPESTPreal estate brokerreal estate brokerChefChefland developerland developerphysical therapistphysical therapiststock brokerstock brokernews reporternews reporterfire fighterfire fighterPromoterPromoterentrepreneurentrepreneur

ENFPENFPconference plannerconference plannerspeech pathologistspeech pathologistHR development trainerHR development trainerClergyClergyJournalistJournalistNewscasterNewscastercareer counselorcareer counselorhousing directorhousing directorcharacter actorcharacter actormarketing consultantmarketing consultant

ESFPESFPVeterinarianVeterinarianflight attendantflight attendantfloral designerfloral designerreal estate agentreal estate agentchild care providerchild care providersocial workersocial workerFundraiserFundraiserathletic coachathletic coachMusicianMusicianSecretarySecretary

ENTPENTPsystems designer systems designer venture capitalistventure capitalistActorActorJournalistJournalistinvestment brokerinvestment brokerreal estate agentreal estate agentreal estate developerreal estate developerstrategic plannerstrategic plannerpolitical managerpolitical managerPoliticianPoliticianspecial projects developerspecial projects developer

Typical CareersTypical Careers

ENFJENFJEntertainerEntertainerRecruiterRecruiterArtistArtistNewscasterNewscasterwriter/journalistwriter/journalistrecreation directorrecreation directorLibrarianLibrarianFacilitatorFacilitatorPoliticianPoliticianPsychologistPsychologisthousing directorhousing directorcareer counselorcareer counselorsales manager sales manager

ESTJESTJgovernment employeegovernment employeepharmaceutical salespharmaceutical salesAuditorAuditorcomputer analystcomputer analysttechnical trainertechnical trainerproject managerproject managerofficer managerofficer managerfactory supervisorfactory supervisorcredit analystcredit analystelectrical engineerelectrical engineerstockbrokerstockbroker

ENTJENTJprogram designerprogram designerAttorneyAttorneyAdministratorAdministratoroffice manageroffice managerchemical engineerchemical engineersales managersales managerlogistics consultantlogistics consultantfranchise ownerfranchise ownernew business developernew business developerpersonnel managerpersonnel managerinvestment bankerinvestment banker

ESFJESFJNurseNursesocial workersocial workerCatererCatererflight attendantflight attendantBookkeeperBookkeepermedical/dental assistantmedical/dental assistantexercise physiologistexercise physiologistelementary school teacherelementary school teacherminister/priest/rabbiminister/priest/rabbiretail ownerretail owner

Real World ApplicationsReal World Applications

N’s can benefit from the natural N’s can benefit from the natural inclination of S’s to…inclination of S’s to… Bring up pertinent factsBring up pertinent facts Face realities of current situationFace realities of current situation Apply experience to solving problemsApply experience to solving problems Focus on what needs attention now Focus on what needs attention now 

S’s can benefit from the natural S’s can benefit from the natural inclination of N’s to…inclination of N’s to… Bring up new possibilitiesBring up new possibilities Anticipate future trendsAnticipate future trends Apply insight to solving problemsApply insight to solving problems Focus on long-term goalsFocus on long-term goals

Real World ApplicationsReal World Applications

F’s can benefit from the natural inclination F’s can benefit from the natural inclination of T’s to…of T’s to… Analyze situations and their implicationsAnalyze situations and their implications Hold consistently to a policyHold consistently to a policy Create rational systemsCreate rational systems Be fair Be fair 

   T’s can benefit from the natural inclination T’s can benefit from the natural inclination

of F’s to…of F’s to… Forecast how others will react and feelForecast how others will react and feel Make needed individual exceptionsMake needed individual exceptions Organize people and tasks harmoniouslyOrganize people and tasks harmoniously Be justBe just

Skeptical views of the Skeptical views of the Myers-Briggs Type IndicatorMyers-Briggs Type Indicator UnscientificUnscientific A Temptation to PigeonholeA Temptation to Pigeonhole

It emphasizes each person It emphasizes each person beingbeing one specific type rather than each one specific type rather than each person person usingusing a certain type of a certain type of thinking thinking most of the timemost of the time. .

Real people do not fit easily into Real people do not fit easily into one of sixteen types because they one of sixteen types because they use different styles of thinking at use different styles of thinking at different times different times

Benefits of MBTIBenefits of MBTI

PM’s can benefit from knowing PM’s can benefit from knowing team members’ MBTI Profilesteam members’ MBTI Profiles

Adjust management style for Adjust management style for each individualeach individual

Get variety of personality types Get variety of personality types on projecton project

ResourcesResources

Gardner, William: “Using the Myers-Briggs Type Gardner, William: “Using the Myers-Briggs Type

Indicator to study managers”Indicator to study managers”, Journal of Management, Journal of Management http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m4256/is_n1_v22/ai_18345344http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m4256/is_n1_v22/ai_18345344

Connecting Personality Types With Careers and Jobs Connecting Personality Types With Careers and Jobs http://www.doi.gov/octc/typescar.htmlhttp://www.doi.gov/octc/typescar.html

Bast, Mary:Bast, Mary: PROBLEM SOLVING--PROBLEM SOLVING--With the Myers-With the Myers-

Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI)Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) http://www.breakoutofthebox.com/mbti.htmhttp://www.breakoutofthebox.com/mbti.htm

BrainyEncyclopedia:BrainyEncyclopedia: Myers-Briggs Type Indicator Myers-Briggs Type Indicator http://www.brainyencyclopedia.com/encyclopedia/m/my/myers_briggs_type_indicator.hhttp://www.brainyencyclopedia.com/encyclopedia/m/my/myers_briggs_type_indicator.htmltml