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I think I have probably talked about my MBTI – INFP!

Just found out there is a site that will analyse the type of your blog!

So I went here and found out that my blog is ISTJ. – I’m a duty fulfiller!

"The responsible and hardworking type. They are especially attuned to the details of life and are careful about getting the facts right. Conservative by nature they are often reluctant to take any risks whatsoever.

The Duty Fulfillers are happy to be let alone and to be able to work int heir own pace. They know what they have to do and how to do it."

Umm, so not letting the creative, fun loving me shine through on my blog! But it won’t with the nature of my postings, think I perhaps need to be a bit more creative a couple of times a week rather than just sharing information.

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: