My MBTI type is INFP.

I’m borderline Introvert/Extravert and over the years have realised I’m an Introvert who can demonstrate some Extrovert qualities.

I’m shy and reserved and get really drained by spending too much time with other people, but I’m also very open and willing to talk about personal stuff with people.  This helps me to build warm relationships with others.  (That’s the Extravert bit of me).

However I give a good impression of being an Extravert. We can all act "out of type" for a while, but not for too long, although when I was younger I was able to act "out of type" for longer.   So I can be outgoing, sociable and chatty and this is much easier on a one to one basis than at a large group - that’s one reason why I avoid networking events. However I have a limit, and this means that I’ll look for ways to recharge - this can be skipping out on going to the bar after working with people and ensuring I intersperse working with people to time spent along - writing or researching.

I’m much happier working one to one than in a large group, and do wonder how I was able to run training courses in the past. Now I much prefer my one to one work as again this is less of a drain on my personal resources.

So my way of being an introvert may differ to yours, but considering me really helps me and others understand who I am.

I am often asked of our MBTI type will change.

The MBTI is closely aligned to the work of Carl Jung. Jung was clear that our personality type is set in childhood as it enables us to make sense of life and to help with decision making.

As we get older we become more aware of the postive aspects of the personality characteristics of the alternative to our preference - an Intuitive person can see the benefits of Sensing and vice versa. This can then mean that peoples scores change, bringing them closer to the mid range score.

Again Carl Jung talks of this, referring to this as good type development.

I see this as part of people become more wise as we get older and even better at appreciating differences!

I am very careful to explain to my clients how to take the MBTI assessment but people forget what I say and  don’t always read my instruction list.

Just the other day I worked with somebody who didn’t fully read the key points I describe - the need to take the assessment as their "shoes off self", the person they can be when they are not trying to portray an image or to fit in with the requirements of their job or company.

As we discussed her results I got to understand how the person she is at home is very different to the person she has to be as a very senior manager at work.  So she is going to take it again at the end of a weeks holiday when she is relaxed and no longer in work mode. I appreciate that it can be difficult to think of ourselves outside of work.

So if you are going to take the MBTI do you best to consider the person that you are when you can be you, its the best way to get the best out of the assessment.

You may have come across the Myers Briggs Type Indicator, one of the best ways of gaining an in-depth understanding of yourself which can be used to enhance relationships, work better in a team, choose a career and more.

One of the scales is called Extraversion and Introversion. People often get confused by the psychological description and the way these words are used in every day language. In general conversation introverts are shy and reserved and extraverts are loud and outgoing, but this is just one aspect of this scale.

 Extravert Characteristics

• Pulled towards the external world

• Energised by other people

• Acts and then (maybe) reflects

• Friendly, talkative and easy to get to know

• Shares feelings and emotions

• Needs relationships

Introvert Characteristics

• Pushed inwards by external pressures

• Energised by internal experiences

• Reflects then (maybe) acts

• Reserved, quiet and hard to get to know

• Bottles up emotions

• Needs privacy

In work environments, Extraverts seek variety and action and like to work around and be with others. They like to think aloud and look for input from others for their ideas.  Introverts prefer a work environment where they can have quiet for concentration. They can work contentedly alone and like to carefully think over their work.

When I work with clients I now almost always use the MBTI Step 2. This looks at the facets, or subscales of the Extraversion- Introversion continuum. There are 5 facets to extaversion-introversion:

Initiating–Receiving - To what extent do you initiate conversations in social situations? How at ease are you in social situations? To what extent will you introduce people to each other?

Expressive–Contained - To what extent are you likely to give the impression of readily confiding in others? How much are you interested in others? How much of your self do you keep private?

Gregarious–Intimate - To what extent do you prefer large groups or one to one conversations? How comfortable are you when talking with strangers? Do you seek close relationships with people?

Active–Reflective - To what extent do you prefer to communicate in writing or face to face? Do you prefer to learn new material independently or in discussion?

Enthusiastic–Quiet - To what extent do you show enthusiasm? Do you  seek out quiet or action? To find out more about the MBTI you can read it here:

We can think that our approach is best, but we can benefit from working with people that are different to us.  When you take the MBTI is helps you to understand how you prefer to gather information, this can be through using your senses or through using your intuition.  

With a preference for sensing you prefer to use your eyes, ears and other senses to tell you what is actually there and actually happening, both inside and outside of yourself. It is a great way to appreciate what is happening now, and so helps us to be realistic and practical. People who are strong at sensing are good at remember­ing and working with a great number of facts. 

With a preference for intuition, you prefer to look for meaning, relationships and possibilities that go beyond what you can pick up via your senses. It looks at the big picture and for patterns. People who are strong in intuition are good at seeing new possibilities and new ways of doing things. Intuitive types value imagination and inspirations. 

Understanding your MBTI type helps you to understand and appreciate differences.  

If you are Intuitive you need a Sensing type to bring up pertinent facts; apply experience to problems; read the fine print in a contract; notice what needs attention now; have patience; keep track of essential detail; face difficulties with realism and remind us that the joys of the present are important.

If you are a Sensing type you need an intuitive type to bring up new possibilities; supply ingenuity on problems; read the signs of coming change; see how to prepare for the future; have enthusiasm; watch for new essentials; tackle difficulties with zest and show that the joys of the future are worth working for.

There are many, many articles about the Myers Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) on the web. Some of them useful, but not always and as with anything you need to consider the writers personal agenda.

Recently I’ve come across a video where John Foley is quite disparaging about the MBTI and seems to have a very narrow view of the assessment and how it can be used. His key message seems to be that you don’t need to take tests; it’s all about gaining experience. And if you fail at a job you get more experience.

His video is here: http://www.battlenature.com/myers-briggs/

I’m all for people gaining work experience, and I encourage my clients to undertake informational interviews and job shadowing, but how do you decide what to do?

The MBTI is very helpful for self understanding but can also indicate particular jobs that suit a particular personality. 

When I undertake a MBTI feedback session I provide my clients with a list of jobs relating to their specific 4 letter code.  For example, as an ENFP I encourage them to explore Creative careers such as journalist, Interior decorator or photographer; Marketing or Planning careers such as Public Relations or creative director; Helping careers such as counsellor or teacher; Health orientated jobs such as dietician or massage therapist and entrepreneurial opportunities such as consultant sales or small business owner.

This can be really helpful for someone who has no idea on the sort of job they want to do and gives them some sense of direction. Of course this alone is not enough, most people don’t have a depth of understanding of what a job involves, but they can use relevant websites to find out, for example  http://www.prospects.ac.uk.

How has the MBTI helped you in making career decisions?  Do you have any questions, please comment and I’ll be happy to talk further,

Denise x

Last night I participated in telephone class. Sometimes we pick up on something that rings so true. A comment was made “The only way to be successful is to be who you are”. It resonated with some of the Myers Briggs work I have been doing - encouraging clients to be themselves. Too often people go to interview acting in a way they think they should. So we have people with bright and enthusiastic personalities, trying to be formal. and it just doesn’t work. it doesn’t ring true. so spend time being clear on who you are and let that personality shine through!