How to Use MBTI
Content
How to Use MBTI
The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) was first developed in 1942 by Isabel Myers and Katherine Briggs. The test is based upon in-depth psychological studies by Swiss psychiatrist Carl Jung. Since its creation, the MBTI has been updated multiple times to improve reliability and validity. The test sorts personalities along four spectra resulting in 16 discrete personality types. MBTI is used by individuals, counselors and companies who seek to gain insight into themselves, their co-workers, partners and friends.
Instructions
1. MBTI Testing and Results
o
1
Take the Myers-Briggs personality type indicator. If the results are going to be used professionally, schedule a time and date for all employees to test. Once the test results have been obtained, then they can be evaluated and used.
o
2 Evaluate your test results. The MBTI sorts people into 16 personality types, based on a
combination of four traits. They are Introversion (I) or Extraversion (E), Sensing (S) or Intuiting (I), Thinking (T) or Feeling (F) and Judging (J) or Perceiving (P). Introverts draw their energy from internal processes, while extraverts are energized by people and events. Sensors draw conclusions based on immediate sensory data, while intuitors use impressions to form future predictions. Thinkers primarily make objective decisions based on logic, while feelers tend to make decisions based on personal values and the effect the decision will have on other people. Finally, judgers like to structure and make decisions that obtain closure, while perceivers prefer spontaneity and multiple future options.
3 Observe that every individual possesses aspects of each of the personality traits, but the
MBTI measures preferences and primary orientations. However, no individual is entirely one type, and everyone possesses tendencies of other personality types. This information is useful when relating to others who don't share your personality type.
Applying the MBTI
4 Implement the MBTI as a tool for self-development and growth. Armed with new data
about yourself, you can gain insight into your strengths, weaknesses, how you make decisions, the working conditions that best suit you and how you best learn. This information can be applied when relating to others, motivating yourself and selecting a fulfilling career path. Understanding areas of weakness can help you develop this area or avoid situations where your weakest area is a critical skill. For example, knowing that you make objective decisions based on logic might make you a better accountant then therapist.
5 Asses the strengths, weaknesses, decision-making approaches and communication styles
of yourself and others. This provides an opportunity to improve interpersonal relationships between friends, family, and significant others. Communication and decision-making strategies often differ between personality types. Understanding how each personality type communicates and approaches life can help people improve communication and the ability
to compromise with each other. For example, understanding that your significant other tends to base decisions on facts, while you make value-based decisions helps you understand that the other party is not trying to discount you or make a situation difficult.
6
Employ knowledge of MBTI in the workplace to foster team building, promote organizational development and improve leadership training. Human capital is becoming one of the most valuable assets of any company. It is vital for successful companies to motivate employees, select the best individual for a position and build positive relationships while reducing interpersonal conflicts among co-workers. Understanding of type can allow employers to best utilize the strengths and avoid or improve upon the weaknesses of team members.
The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) was first developed in 1942 by Isabel Myers and Katherine Briggs. The test is based upon in-depth psychological studies by Swiss psychiatrist Carl Jung. Since its creation, the MBTI has been updated multiple times to improve reliability and validity. The test sorts personalities along four spectra resulting in 16 discrete personality types. MBTI is used by individuals, counselors and companies who seek to gain insight into themselves, their co-workers, partners and friends.
Instructions
1. MBTI Testing and Results
o
1
Take the Myers-Briggs personality type indicator. If the results are going to be used professionally, schedule a time and date for all employees to test. Once the test results have been obtained, then they can be evaluated and used.
o
2 Evaluate your test results. The MBTI sorts people into 16 personality types, based on a
combination of four traits. They are Introversion (I) or Extraversion (E), Sensing (S) or Intuiting (I), Thinking (T) or Feeling (F) and Judging (J) or Perceiving (P). Introverts draw their energy from internal processes, while extraverts are energized by people and events. Sensors draw conclusions based on immediate sensory data, while intuitors use impressions to form future predictions. Thinkers primarily make objective decisions based on logic, while feelers tend to make decisions based on personal values and the effect the decision will have on other people. Finally, judgers like to structure and make decisions that obtain closure, while perceivers prefer spontaneity and multiple future options.
3 Observe that every individual possesses aspects of each of the personality traits, but the
MBTI measures preferences and primary orientations. However, no individual is entirely one type, and everyone possesses tendencies of other personality types. This information is useful when relating to others who don't share your personality type.
Applying the MBTI
4 Implement the MBTI as a tool for self-development and growth. Armed with new data
about yourself, you can gain insight into your strengths, weaknesses, how you make decisions, the working conditions that best suit you and how you best learn. This information can be applied when relating to others, motivating yourself and selecting a fulfilling career path. Understanding areas of weakness can help you develop this area or avoid situations where your weakest area is a critical skill. For example, knowing that you make objective decisions based on logic might make you a better accountant then therapist.
5 Asses the strengths, weaknesses, decision-making approaches and communication styles
of yourself and others. This provides an opportunity to improve interpersonal relationships between friends, family, and significant others. Communication and decision-making strategies often differ between personality types. Understanding how each personality type communicates and approaches life can help people improve communication and the ability
to compromise with each other. For example, understanding that your significant other tends to base decisions on facts, while you make value-based decisions helps you understand that the other party is not trying to discount you or make a situation difficult.
6
Employ knowledge of MBTI in the workplace to foster team building, promote organizational development and improve leadership training. Human capital is becoming one of the most valuable assets of any company. It is vital for successful companies to motivate employees, select the best individual for a position and build positive relationships while reducing interpersonal conflicts among co-workers. Understanding of type can allow employers to best utilize the strengths and avoid or improve upon the weaknesses of team members.
