Personality Matters Blog

Posted 30 May 2017 by
Global Marketing

Leadership and the Intuition–Feeling (NF) Process Pair

People with NF preferences (INFJs, INFPs, ENFPs, ENFJs) typically take a “let’s make a difference” approach to leadership. They consider how others can be positively affected over the long term instead of just in the present moment. In leading they tend to focus on big-picture, future-oriented ideas that can empower people to “be better.” If NF informs your leadership style, you may want to consider how this approach is affecting members of your team. Some of them may appreciate your support ...

Posted 31 January 2017 by
Global Marketing

Showing Appreciation—INFP

In this series I’m delving into how each of the 16 types approaches being thankful. If you want to read a little about your own preferences ahead of time, feel free to visit this link: share.themyersbriggs.com/. Today’s type: INFP. You may think that work well done is its own reward. Others may need more verbal encouragement and support. That description relates to the “get-it-done” attitude often displayed by individuals who prefer ESTJ. For them, checking things off th...

Posted 22 November 2016 by
Global Marketing

MBTI® Users Conference—Creating a Culture of Clarity / Type Dynamics

Another criticism Patrick Kerwin addressed is that “Jung even said there is no such thing as a pure Introvert.” Patrick (and I) actually agree! We all live in both the extraverted and introverted worlds. And, if you understand type dynamics, we all use a mental process in the extraverted world and a mental process in the introverted world. For example, I have preferences for INFP. I am not an Introvert. Instead, I introvert (I use this word as a verb since I don’t believe in ...

Posted 11 October 2016 by
Global Marketing

Celebrating a 60th Wedding Anniversary—Learning How to Use My Inborn Preferences

As soon as we sit down, Cindy notices our rings. Then so do Terri, Mom, and Dad. Smiles spread around the table. Dad comes over and says, “I’m happy for you Mijo.” I tell him we don’t have a wedding date yet, but will let them know. Since I don’t like being the center of attention, we are thinking of something very small. I tell Dad that I’m thinking of just eloping and telling people about it later. Stay tuned… Because we are only six, there are a co...

Posted 04 October 2016 by
Global Marketing

Celebrating a 60th Wedding Anniversary—ISFJ in Action

After unloading our shopping treasures in the room safe, Kevin and I head down to the pool to join Cindy and Terri. We arrive at the cabana to find Cindy with a cocktail and pu pu platter to share with us. A server comes over, and Kevin and I immediately ask for drinks of our own—mai-tais! They are perfect for a warm Hawaiian afternoon by the pool. Kevin and Cindy have hit it off nicely. He has been wonderful with my family the entire trip. I have shared several times that Kevin’s p...

Posted 27 September 2016 by
Global Marketing

Celebrating a 60th Wedding Anniversary—Love Is in the Air

A big part of any trip for Mom is finding souvenirs to bring back to friends and family. A souvenir shop in King’s Market, located just a block from our hotel, is the perfect place. Dad, Cindy, and I settle in as Mom and Terri start collecting trinkets to buy. I wander in and out of the shop relatively quickly and instead find a T-shirt stand being set up just outside. I buy a T-shirt for me and one for Kevin. Dad worries that all the souvenirs Mom is buying won’t fit in their lugg...

Posted 23 August 2016 by
Global Marketing

Celebrating a 60th Wedding Anniversary—A Life of Love

Kevin and I arrive in the lobby at the agreed-upon time: 6:15 p.m. Mom, Dad, Cindy, and Terri are already there looking nice in their fancy tropical attire. From the second-floor open-lobby balcony we can see that the cabana near the beach is being set up for our arrival. We arrive at the entrance to the restaurant, and the host knows right away we are here for our event. She takes us around the large swimming pool over to the very last cabana, where a table for six has been set up with a beaut...

Posted 21 July 2016 by
Global Marketing

Celebrating a 60th Wedding Anniversary—INFP Preferences in Overdrive

The drive over goes by quickly, though at one point the rain and wind at 4,000 feet up is a little scary. Our destination is thankfully much closer to sea level, and by the time we get to the town of Volcano the rain stops. All around us is nothing but green...wet green trees, bushes, and moss. This is my second time to Volcano, and I’m so happy to be back. The driveway to our Airbnb home welcomes us down a curved passageway to finally come to a stop next to the large house. It has been ...

Posted 07 July 2016 by
Global Marketing

Celebrating a 60th Wedding Anniversary—Out-of-Preference Planful

Our state of bliss is then interrupted when Terri tells me that Cindy's flight has been delayed until tonight. Now, I've spent a lot of time planning this trip. In fact, I'm quite the planner. This surprises people when they learn I prefer Perceiving. My MBTI® Step I™ preferences are INFP. However, on the MBTI® Step IITM assessment, I report Expressive, out-of-preference. I also report out-of-preference on Planful, which is about leisure and long-term life events. Leisure is definitely a big p...

Posted 30 June 2016 by
Global Marketing

Celebrating a 60th Wedding Anniversary

Sitting at the departure gate in the Kona-Keahole airport in Hawaii still feels like being on vacation. The cool Hawaiian breeze and the many palm trees close-by can fool you just a little bit into not feeling sad that you are leaving. But I feel sad every time I leave these islands...every single time. I have to convince myself "I'll be back" or I know I will start to cry. Being in Hawaii is such an escape from so many of the stresses of life. While I work to honor who I am, I also spend too m...

Posted 28 June 2016 by
Global Marketing

Summer Vacation Decision Making—Introverted Feeling

To conclude this series on decision making with the MBTI® mental processes and the eight patterns of mental activity, we come to introverted Feeling (Fi), which is about making decisions in line with the inner values that guide and drive us. When deciding where you want to go on vacation this summer, consider these Fi questions: What do I want to do this summer? (This may be different than what everyone else wants to do.) What vacation options connect best with my inner values? ...

Posted 16 June 2016 by
Global Marketing

Summer Vacation Decision Making—Extraverted Thinking

I have spent time in the past several posts highlighting the importance of different ways to take in information (Perceiving). Once that has happened, it’s time to evaluate that information. If this doesn’t happen, then usually nothing gets done, no vacation plans will be made. Evaluating information is about using Thinking and Feeling. Extraverted Thinking (Te) helps us evaluate that information in a logical and objective way. As you think about where you might go for vacation thi...

Posted 03 May 2016 by
Global Marketing

Type at the Family Conference Table: Introverted Feeling

Written by Mathew David Pauley, JD, MA, MDR In my previous post, we encountered Extraverted Thinking types (ESTJs and ENTJs) who were stressed, upset, and were facing some very hard decisions. Though they are accustomed to and comfortable in the role as decision maker, emotionally charged situations can sometimes inflame their least preferred and least used mental process, Introverted Feeling, creating emotional turmoil. Introverted Feeling types, such as ISFPs and INFPs, are at their best when...

Posted 28 April 2016 by
Global Marketing

Type at the Family Conference Table: Extraverted Thinking

Written by Mathew David Pauley, JD, MA, MDR In my previous post I discussed how I’ve found type to be a useful tool for working with individuals who need to make difficult decisions or who are in conflict. When discussing matters such as whether to continue aggressive interventions or consider more palliative approaches, or when disclosing bad news (e.g., a new life-limiting diagnosis, an unsuccessful surgery, a medical error or medication mistake, or an unanticipated injury or death)...

Posted 25 February 2016 by
Global Marketing

16 Types in the Workplace—INFP

My MBTI® preferences are INFP, and I’m told I provide a calm and supportive approach to solving problems that our work projects need. I was facilitating a webinar a while back, and the technology was not cooperating. Others in the room were getting a bit frazzled. A colleague sitting next to me said, “You seem so calm.” “It will work out,” I replied, as I focused on completing the tasks that would help the event run smoothly. My favorite mental process is introv...

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