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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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—ENTJ
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: https://share.themyersbriggs.com/. Today’s type: ENTJ. You may not proclaim your appreciation of others, though you rely on and expect more from people you deem competent. Offer them some praise. That description relates most to the Intuition and Thinking processes of this type. Competence is often o...
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Showing Appreciation—ISTJ
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: ISTJ. 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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MBTI® Users Conference—Creating a Culture of Clarity / Proper Type Language
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 fo...
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Summer Vacation Decision Making—Introverted Thinking
Continuing with the Judging patterns of mental activity in our quest for the perfect summer vacation, we come next to introverted Thinking (Ti), which is about creating internal order and logic to find the “correct” answer to problems. As you continue to think about where you might go for vacation this summer, consider the following Ti questions: What’s right and wrong with the choices I’m considering? (Allow yourself to be critical.) What’s wrong with the ...
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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: 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 ...
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Type at the Family Conference Table: Extraverted Feeling
Written by Mathew David Pauley, JD, MA, MDR The image of a family conference in a hospital is typically one of high emotion, even when no apparent conflict is readily identified. Physicians might be giving bad news, chaplains might be leading families in prayer, or nurses might be leading children into their mother's room to meet their new sibling; in all cases, lots of people are bringing lots of emotions to bear on a panoply of circumstances. ESFJs and ENFJs, whose favorite mental proces...
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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 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 ...
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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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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),...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...