Personality Matters Blog
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 ...
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 ...
Global Marketing
Type at the Family Conference Table: Introverted Intuition
Written by Mathew David Pauley, JD, MA, MDR INTJs and INFJs, Introverted Intuitive types, tend to be big-picture, well-organized individuals who can bring both qualities to bear as they work toward their goals. They are often known for their uncanny insight and ability to anticipate things before they happen. However, unlike individuals with a preference for Perceiving, who typically are ready to respond to the unexpected and flex to meet new challenges, INTJs and INFJs would rather dimini...
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Type at the Family Conference Table: Extraverted Sensing
Written by Mathew David Pauley, JD, MA, MDR Leaving the hospital is often wrought with anxiety for family members faced with numerous things they must address for the patient. Hospitals are staffed with highly trained and highly attentive teams of caregivers, so the prospect of a loved one leaving the relative's safety with the hospital can be nerve wracking. Even moving from one unit to another within the same hospital is often cause for concern. That said, everyone who enters a hospital ...
Global Marketing
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...
Global Marketing
Type at the Family Conference Table: Introverted Sensing
Written by Mathew David Pauley, JD, MA, MDR As care providers, we are often balancing experience with hope. When our patients are critically ill, we weigh our desire to help them return to normal life against our experience with all the cases we have dealt with in the past—those that had a good outcome and those that did not—and we try to make the best recommendations we can. From a type perspective, there is an intriguing analogy between analyzing data and maintaining hope and our preferences ...
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...
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)...
Global Marketing
16 Types in the Workplace—ENTJ
So often I see people with preferences for ENTJ and ESTJ looking so similar and then so different. People with preferences for ENTJ have the ability to cut to the chase and a get-it-done approach to solving problems, but they tend to like to tackle those problems in a new and innovative way. Their favorite mental process, extraverted Thinking (Te), helps them get to an objectively logical conclusion. This favorite process is backed up by their second favorite process, introverted Intuition (Ni),...
Global Marketing
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 ...
Global Marketing
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...
Global Marketing
16 Types in the Workplace— ESTJ
I’ve known many people with preferences for ESTJ. Early on I learned that their ability to cut to the chase and get-it-done approach to solving problems can help keep the organizational engine running. Their favorite mental process, extraverted Thinking (Te), helps them come to a conclusion in an objective and logical way, and can also help organizations understand the importance of getting projects completed. This favorite process is backed up by their second favorite process, introverted Sensi...
Global Marketing
16 Types in the Workplace—ENTP
The people I know with preferences for ENTP tend to provide a new and innovative approach to figuring out solutions that our work projects need. Their favorite mental process, extraverted Intuition (Ne), helps them move beyond what is real to what could be. This gift can help organizations anticipate what is coming around the corner, as long as their ideas are not shut down for lack of evidence. This favorite process is backed up by their second favorite process, introverted Thinking (Ti), which...
Global Marketing
16 Types in the Workplace—ENFP
I’m around a lot of people with preferences for ENFP. I enjoy their “we-can-do-it-together” approach that our work projects need. Their favorite mental process (Ne) helps them come up with all kinds of ideas that others may not have considered. This favorite process is backed up by their second favorite process (Fi), which like their ESFP “cousins,” can help them stick to their values when making decisions. Serving as a good workplace example with their motivational and encouraging demeanor is a...
Global Marketing
16 Types in the Workplace—ESFP
The few people I know with preferences for ESFP often provide a detailed, here and now picture to understanding problems that our projects need. Their favorite mental process (Se) helps them see the practical reality of situations. This favorite process is backed up by their second favorite process (Fi) which can help them apply a values-based approach solution to problems. Serving as a good workplace example by dealing with work on teams with a low-stress and fun demeanor is an important contri...
Global Marketing
16 Types in the Workplace—ESTP
I am working with two participants this week with preferences for ESTP and have noticed their “get-to-the-point” approach to figuring out problems. Their favorite mental process (Se) helps them see what is happening and what is needed in the present moment. This gift can help organizations understand the real-world applications of ideas, so they are likely to readily point that out. This favorite process is backed up by their second favorite process (Ti), which can help them analyze the pros and...
Global Marketing
16 Types in the Workplace—INTP
The people I know with preferences for INTP tend to provide an analytical approach to figuring out solutions that our projects need. Their favorite mental process (Ti) helps them pinpoint problems that others might not notice. This gift can help organizations fix what’s wrong before things get too far along, as long as these individuals are encouraged to use their sometimes critical approach. This favorite process is backed up by their second favorite process (Ne), which can help them come up wi...
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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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 ...
Global Marketing
16 Types in the Workplace—ISTP
The few people I know with preferences for ISTP often provide a hands-on approach to solving problems that our work projects need. Their favorite mental process, introverted Thinking (Ti), helps them quickly analyze the pros and cons so we can “cut to the chase.” This gift can sometimes help organizations implement practical solutions, as long as these individuals are encouraged to share their sometimes detailed and sequential approach. This favorite process is backed up by their second favorite...
Global Marketing
16 Types in the Workplace—INTJ
The people I know with preferences for INTJ tend to provide a new approach to solving problems that our work projects need. Their favorite mental process, introverted Intuition (Ni), helps them come up with innovative ways to resolve problems that may escape others. This gift can sometimes help their organization discover the next “best” thing, as long as these individuals are encouraged to share their sometimes “out-there” approach. This favorite process is backed up by their second favorite pr...
Global Marketing
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 ...
Global Marketing
16 Types in the Workplace—ISFJ
Colleagues and other people I know (including my partner, Kevin) with preferences for ISFJ often provide the friendly and practical follow-through that people in the workplace need. Like their “cousins,” ISTJ, their favorite mental process (Si) helps them remember important details from the past, and this gift can help prevent an organization from repeating mistakes as long as we make sure to include them. However, they need to be encouraged to speak up; we can help by patiently listening and no...
Global Marketing
16 Types in the Workplace—ISTJ
The people I know with preferences for ISTJ often provide the direct and to-the-point follow-through that work projects need. Their favorite mental process (Si) helps them remember important details from the past, and this gift can help prevent an organization from repeating mistakes as long as these individuals are encouraged to share their historical approach to understanding facts. This favorite process is backed up by their second favorite process (Te), which can help them organize decisions...