Personality Matters Blog
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For an Authentic, Effective Job Interview, You Must First Understand Your Own Personality Type (Part II)
In my previous blog, I discussed how you can leverage your preferences for either introversion or extraversion – preferences based on the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) – to present an authentic version of yourself during a job interview. Today, I’ll dive a little deeper and talk about how to leverage the other aspects of your personality type to improve your odds of getting a job that is an excellent fit for you. Before I begin, it’s important to remember the conc...
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The Importance of the Order of the Sensing–Intuition Facets
When interpreting MBTI® Step II™ facet results, practitioners sometimes forget about the significance of the order of the facets. When it comes to paying attention to things, Sensing–Intuition (taking in information) people start by using a Concrete, Midzone, or Abstract approach first. They then go down the list of the remaining facets, in order: Realistic-Imaginative, Practical-Conceptual, Experiential-Theoretical, and Traditional-Original. (If you want a great team exercise i...
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MBTI Step II Facets: Tough–Tender
A couple of months ago, a participant in a training program told me she thinks of his Tough behavior in terms of removing a small bandage. She said Tough behavior is like removing that bandage in one quick pull. For her, pulling the bandage off slowly only prolongs the pain. This firm approach can be effective as long as it doesn’t cross over the line and become stern. Tender behavior certainly does not intentionally prolong pain. Instead, people who report Tender believe that a kinder an...
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MBTI Step II Facets: Critical–Accepting
Be prepared for some push-back from clients who report Thinking in-preference Critical on the MBTI® Step II™ assessment. The bullet-point descriptors on the MBTI® Step II™ Interpretive Report can be more direct (some say harsh) for this result than for any other. I’ve had a client get a bit argumentative about the descriptor “are argumentative.” And a participant in an MBTI® Certification Program this week sprinted across the room to the Accepting side ...
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MBTI Step II Thinking-Feeling Facets: The Importance of Facet Order
If you want to start this series from the beginning, take a look at the first few blogs here, here and here. When interpreting MBTI® Step II™ Interpretive Report results, practitioners tend to forget about the importance of the order of the facets (see MBTI® Step II™ Manual, pp. 22–23). We know that the first T–F facet, Logical–Empathetic, is the starting point for decision making, with the remaining facets (Reasonable–Compassionate, Questioning&n...
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Team Building with the MBTI Step II Thinking-Feeling Facets
There is just so much depth with the Thinking–Feeling facets that many people only begin to explore. During the MBTI® Certification Program, I take participants through several decision-making stages—T–F facet by T–F facet. A participant asked me this week how I keep things from getting out of hand when I go through this process with working teams. She realized that it can be a powerful experience for teams and things can get a bit heated. While I don’t feel esp...
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MBTI Step II Facets: Can We Be Too Accommodating?
If you missed it, you can see the first blog post in this series here and the post on the other side of this facet, Questioning, here. I often ask people who report Accommodating on the MBTI® Step II™ Interpretive Report if they are too accommodating. Usually, the reply is a straightforward and accommodating “yes!” Accommodating people tend to pick their battles when faced with differences of opinion. As a result, they are sometimes seen as “wishy-washy” ...
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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...
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Showing Appreciation—ISFP
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: ISFP. 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...
Global Marketing
Showing Appreciation—INFJ
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: INFJ. 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...
Global Marketing
Showing Appreciation—ISFJ
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: ISFJ. 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...
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 ...
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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...
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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? ...
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Summer Vacation Decision Making—Extraverted Feeling
We explored the Perceiving patterns of mental activity (Se, Si, Ne, Ni) and half of the Judging patterns (Te, Ti) in our search for that perfect summer vacation. It is now time to finish it off with Feeling, starting with extraverted Feeling (Fe), which is about making decisions taking into account how our decisions will affect others. As you decide where you might go for vacation this summer, consider the following Fe questions: What will I do to include the ideas of others who may join us...
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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...
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Summer Vacation Decision Making—Extraverted Sensing
When I think about the best decisions I have made in my life, it usually comes down to taking a more balanced approach to whatever I’m deciding. That balanced approach often comes easier when we consider using all four of our mental processes (Sensing, Intuition, Thinking, and Feeling) along with the attitudes of each (Extraversion and Introversion). Put that all together and you get the eight MBTI® patterns of mental activity (Se, Si, Ne, Ni, Te, Ti, Fe, Fi). If you want to read more ...
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I’m Back and Summer Is Almost Here!
Hello, everyone. I’m back and writing again after my very busy travel schedule has finally slowed down just a little. Thanks so much to Mathew David Pauley for filling in on my blog duties with his very insightful writing. I loved reading his posts as I traveled from city to city. I’m going to continue Mathew’s emphasis on the mental processes in this next blog series. As I sit back and get ready to write once more, I’m a bit startled by how fast the year is going by. It ...
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Type at the Family Conference Table: In the Grip
Written by Mathew David Pauley, JD, MA, MDR This is the final post in my 10-part blog series, “Type at the Family Conference Table,” and I would like to begin by thanking CPP for a great collaboration throughout my participation in the MBTI® Certification Program and throughout these posts. Certification Trainer Michael Segovia and his team went out of their way to assist me during the program (which was sort of a birthday present), increasing the pressure for me to have the...
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Type at the Family Conference Table: Introverted Thinking
Written by Mathew David Pauley, JD, MA, MDR Dispassionate objectivity can seem out of place in environments such as hospitals, where passions can run high. And thus we come to Introverted Thinking types: ISTPs and INTPs. For them the goal is to understand, and they will be quick to let you know that true understanding can be clouded by “erratic” emotions mucking things up. Reportedly, Introverted Thinking types confront catastrophe with the same air of detachment with which they...
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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...
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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)...
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Type at the Family Conference Table
Written by Mathew David Pauley, JD, MA, MDR Strewn throughout hospitals are conference rooms primarily devoted to provider-patient discussions. No, that is not entirely accurate—providers meet their patients bedside. So, it is more precise to say that these meeting spaces are used by providers meeting with family members. They are meeting with family members probably because their patients are too sick to participate in the decisions about their health, and the people wh...
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16 Types in the Workplace—ENFJ
I think of one particular colleague I work with who has preferences for ENFJ and I’m always so appreciative of her outwardly warm and supportive approach at work. The favorite mental process of people with preferences for ENFJ, extraverted Feeling (Fe), helps them connect to the harmony and values of those involved on a team. This favorite process is backed up by their second favorite process, introverted Intuition (Ni), which can help them see what’s coming around the bend, as well as the bend ...
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16 Types in the Workplace—ESFJ
I just finished working with four people with preferences for ESFJ, and I was impressed by their helpful here-and-now approach to understanding problems. Their favorite mental process, extraverted Feeling (Fe), helps them see the impact that decisions have on others. This favorite process is backed up by their second favorite process, introverted Sensing (Si), which can help them store facts and data to recall when they are needed most. Serving as a good workplace example by helping team members...
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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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16 Types in the Workplace—ISFP
The people I know with preferences for ISFP often take a values-based approach to solving problems that our work projects need. Their favorite mental process, introverted Feeling (Fi), sometimes helps them understand how the decisions being made in the course of a project reflect the values and needs of people in the organization. This gift can sometimes help organizations determine what really matters beyond what is simply accepted as logical. This favorite process is backed up by their second ...
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16 Types in the Workplace—INFJ
One of my very best friends has preferences for INFJ. I have to admit that I don’t personally know many other people with these preferences, and not surprisingly, INFJ is the rarest, or among the rarest type, depending on which data you are looking at. An innovative approach to understanding ideas along with a quiet, considerate, and behind-the-scenes follow-through are workplace contributions often associated with people of this type. Their favorite mental process (Ni) helps them see not ...
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I’m Next! Part 2
First and foremost, of course, we need to honor the preferences we have been born with. Then, it’s important to consider using the opposite side as appropriate. If you want some ideas on how to do this, check out the “Type and Problem Solving” section of the Introduction to Myers-Briggs® Type booklet (pp. 50 and 51) for questions covering each of the four mental processes (S, N, T, and F). Also included in the section are four steps to remember when problem solving: St...
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MBTI® Tool and Influencing—The Power of the Mental Processes
I slept well and was excited about what day 2 of the MBTI® Users Conference would bring. The first session of the day was an exciting keynote by Damian Killen, Founder & Managing Director at Thrive, and Rich Thompson, Divisional Director of Research at CPP. The session was titled “MBTI®—The Missing Piece in the Influencing Jigsaw.” Anyone who attended the conference received a very informative and snazzy white paper on influencing, based on current research from 2...