I have taken the Myers Briggs test before during a retreat
for work but, since it had been a couple of years, I took it again for this
module. The results showed that my type is I
(67%), S (12%), F (12%), J(11%). These
results are similar to what I learned the first time I took it and accurate, in
my opinion. As I was reading through information on my type, Heiss, (2007) says
that ISFJ personalities, “tend to be harried and uncomfortable in supervisory
roles” (para. 3). She goes on to discuss the “need to be needed” which
definitely describes me (Heiss, 2007, para. 1).
ISFJ personality types are also purported to be genuine and good with
people which is another accurate statement about my personality (Heiss, 2007).
When my department conducted this test, someone from HR who
is certified to interpret the results of this test came to talk about the
results with us. He asked us to stand in our groups from highest percent at one
end to highest end of the opposing type at the other. For example, the person
with the highest percentage for introversion was on one side and the person
with the highest percentage of extroversion was on the other. What an
interesting visual that was!! There was only one other person with a higher
introversion score than me, so I was at that end of the spectrum. At the other
end, the highest extroverted scores were Katy and the CEO. I heard many people
commenting that they never knew that I was so introverted and that I always
seemed so nice and friendly. The presenter went on to explain that a high
percentage for introversion did not mean that one was antisocial but rather
that that person derives energy in a different way. Introverts like to have
quiet time to refresh at the end of the day. There does not have to be constant
activity or large groups of people around for an introvert. This provided an aha
moment for many especially the extroverts who are the social butterflies and
want constant attention. We all saw each other in a new light after that.
There are many uses for personality typing in the business
world. For instance, after our exercise, we were asked to put the acronym for
our personality types outside our offices. Using the information we had been
given, we were able to find out more about others and how to more effectively
interact with them. I tend to be very self-aware, but not everyone is. This
test could give a leader insight into what makes him/her tick and by doing so,
understand how to more effectively behave and interact with others. For example, one of the misconceptions about
introverts is that because they are quiet they appear standoffish. If I walk
into a group of people I do not know, I am not likely to seek out others to
speak to. An extrovert might misinterpret that as rudeness or think that I do
not want to talk to anyone and that is simply not the case. Most of the time, I
am just observing what others are doing and saying and once I get to know you,
I am very friendly and personable. Understanding these differences will help
these personality types better deal with others.
I believe I am very self-aware. Part of my approach to
dealing with the people that I work with is to build solid relationships with
them. That does not mean that we agree on everything. But what it does mean is
that when we don’t, I can have a friendly debate with the other person because
I already have a good relationship with him/her. I use humor to try to get
through difficult conversations and situations. I have a hard time
understanding people who are only friendly when they want something from you
and the moment something doesn’t go their way, they turn into someone else. One
of the best resources we have available to us is other people.
Having said that, as the courses have gone by, we have read
over and over again about traits that leaders possess and I have noticed that I
am definitely the type of person that is more concerned with interpersonal
relationships rather than strategy, budget, and deadlines. I understand that
all of those things are still important but again, I have a hard time
understanding people who only focus on those things. As a leader, knowing my
personality type and what my strengths and weaknesses are will allow me to
surround myself with different personality types with opposing strengths and
weaknesses to balance out my traits. That balance makes for the strongest
leaders.
Reference:
Heiss, M. (2007, August 20). Introverted sensing
feeling judging. Retrieved from http://www.typelogic.com/isfj.html
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