MBTI® Users Conference—Creating a Culture of Clarity / Proper Type Language
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Continuing Patrick Kerwin’s session at the MBTI® Users Conference on addressing criticisms of the MBTI® tool, he noted that we sometimes hear, “The MBTI tool uses artificial binaries.” Patrick reminded us that while the MBTI tool sorts, we stress that all of us use both sides of a preference pair. We just prefer one or the other. That is why when we are using the MBTI tool, proper language is so crucial. Strictly speaking, we are not “Extraverts” or “Introverts.” Instead, we have a preference for Extraversion or a preference for Introversion.
Proper language that moves away from labeling people as one or the other is probably the most important point I emphasize when I teach people about this tool during the MBTI® Certification Program. For example, when I ask participants not to label individuals as “Thinkers” or “Judgers,” (as opposed to having a preference for Thinking or a preference for Judging) they sometimes ask me, “Is this new?” While it is not new, some people take shortcuts in language use, which invites misunderstanding.
Want to read more about the Users Conference? Check out my previous blogs in this series:
- MBTI® Users Conference—Type, Interpersonal Needs, and Stress: A FIRO-B® and MBTI® Workplace Culture Connection
- MBTI® Users Conference—“Culture Matters” Panel: Macro and Micro Perspectives
- MBTI® Users Conference—Networking and the Step II™ Receiving Facet Challenge
- MBTI® Users Conference—Creating a Culture of Clarity / It’s Not Meant to Be Predictive
- MBTI® Users Conference—Creating a Culture of Clarity / It Is Reliable
- MBTI® Users Conference—Creating a Culture of Clarity / It Doesn’t Just Flatter You
- MBTI® Users Conference—Creating a Culture of Clarity / Where’s the Research?
- MBTI® Users Conference—Creating a Culture of Clarity / Clinical Psychology Criticism
- MBTI® Users Conference—Creating a Culture of Clarity / Ambiverts?
- MBTI® Users Conference—Creating a Culture of Clarity / Type Dynamics
- MBTI® Users Conference—Creating a Culture of Clarity / Proper Type Language
- MBTI® Users Conference—Creating a Culture of Clarity
- MBTI® Users Conference—Communication Breakthroughs: The Genesis for Better Understanding of Others
- MBTI® Users Conference—From Diversity to Inclusion to Engagement
- MBTI® Users Conference—The Art of Culture Hacking
- MBTI® Users Conference—A Step II™ Day
- MBTI® Users Conference—Culture Matters
- MBTI® Users Conference—What I'm Thankful For