Personality Types

Our inborn personality shapes how we see things, make decisions and manage our lives, from special occasions to everyday life.

The Myers-Briggs® Personality Type Indicator highlights four aspects of living where we express a preference between two alternatives. The particular choices we make in each area combine to define our unique personality profile.

As a taster, these four aspects are highlighted below. In each case, the preference pairs are illustrated through an example of how they might be experienced. Choosing the approach closest to your own will give you a brief snapshot of an aspect of your personality type in Myers-Briggs® terms. However, you would need to take the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator® itself for a more complete and accurate picture.

Public or Private?

When Emma said she wanted a small wedding, Ian assumed the guest-list would be their immediate families and a few close friends. Instead, Emma started talking about just the '70 or so relatives and our friends around here.' He knew he'd have to try to speak up about his feelings, but he managed this early enough for a compromise on numbers. This also gave him the time he needed to adjust to the idea of a few extra wedding guests.

Ian was daunted by the thought of being in the spotlight, and was looking to Emma's energy to boost his confidence. He wrote his wedding speech word-for-word well ahead, preferring to rely on a script rather than his own verbal spontaneity.

For him the day would be draining, and he intended to snatch the odd quiet moment away from everyone as space to recharge his emotional batteries.

Emma thrived in the buzz of an occasion. Ian knew she'd greet everyone with warm enthusiasm, but might need help in slowing down with guests who needed more patient attention.

And though not greatly affectionate in public, Ian was making quiet plans for a romantic honeymoon - and wild horses would not drag the destination out of him.

How do you respond to the world? Do you identify with Emma's enjoyment of the action or Ian's preference for reflection?

Practicalities or Possibilities?

When Sarah and Natalie were given the responsibility for the décor and layout of the new branch office, it proved to be a challenging partnership.

Natalie was excited about the possibilities for this open space. She was a whirl of ideas about colour, the latest office furniture, and ways of arranging it. For her, the project was a great opportunity for creative change.

Sarah's focus was on the practicalities. Her aim was to set up a functional working area with the available resources. She couldn't understand why they didn't simply repeat the design of the other offices. Why waste energy on doing things differently just for the sake of it?

Communication - and negotiation - became vital.

As they talked, Sarah realised that some of Natalie's imaginative ideas were actually effective solutions to practical problems with the way the other offices operated: Positioning printers to minimise obstruction; making better use of the natural light.

Sarah in turn helped Natalie scale down some of her more ambitious visions of colour combinations and cornucopias of plants to accommodate the realities of the budget.

And though Natalie could picture the finished product in her mind's eye, it was Sarah who planned its practical execution, step-by-step.

Whose contribution to the project is closest to your own approach?

People or Principles?

When Cheryl, a mature student on a Tourism Studies course, failed her end-of-year exams, it was bad enough. But when she fell short of the pass mark in her re-sits as well, her two tutors, Messrs Truman and Foster, could not agree on how to respond.

Mr. Foster wanted to award Cheryl a pass. He knew how conscientious a student she was, and of the conditions in which she was working. Not only was she also running a home, but she had a child with leukaemia, and had had a particularly hard time over the last term. It seemed pastorally appropriate to let her through, given her overall ability. Besides, it would be possible to award a pass, without it having to be a high grade.

Mr. Truman felt it was wrong to pass Cheryl. He didn't dispute her ability. She showed a good grasp of the material when talking about the information in class, but seemed unable to produce what was required under exam conditions. Mr. Truman thought letting Cheryl through would devalue the exam, and not do justice to other students' achievements. Exams certainly brought pressure, but that was part of the test. Ultimately, a job in the tourist industry would mean coping with stresses and deadlines.

If you were a third teacher, asked to give the casting vote in this disagreement, whose approach would you be more inclined to favour?

Planning or Playing?

When Justin, Jane, Pete and Penny booked a holiday together, the two couples soon realised their differences: Whilst Justin and Jane were at the airport in good time, Pete and Penny scraped onto the flight at the last minute.

As soon as they arrived at the holiday apartment, Pete and Penny were off to the shops: They'd forgotten to pack the toothpaste. Unlike Justin and Jane, they'd not made a list of what to bring, with items ticked off as they were put in the cases.

Justin and Jane relaxed, browsing through the local guidebooks, and noting a popular boat-trip out to a nearby island. Eventually, Pete and Penny returned, having explored all round the town as well as buying toiletries.

They thought the boat-trip sounded interesting, but were surprised when the next day Jane booked tickets for them all to ensure their places - they didn't think they'd committed themselves to going.

On the last night, Jane dropped the eggs she was using to make omelettes. With the last planned meal gone, she was in a panic, but Pete remembered seeing various tavernas around the town's back streets. He suggested they simply set off and find somewhere to eat out. It turned out to be the best meal of the holiday.

Which couple would you prefer to spend time with - on holiday or back home?

If you have found the above exercise interesting and would like to take it further, please contact me via telephone or e-mail.