The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator ® (MBTI) Step II

George MerchantDefense Systems Management College

School of Program Managers

Thought for the Day

“Everything that irritates us

about others can lead us to an

understanding of ourselves.”

Carl Jung

MBTI Basics

• Seeks to identify four basic preferences

• Does not measure traits or behavior: Rather, it reflects your habitual choice between rival alternatives

• Everyone does use both preferences of each scale, but not with equal liking

• Analogy: left handed vs right handed

Source: Myers, I.B. & McCaulley, M.H. Manual: A Guide to Development and Use of the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, 1985

Disclaimer

• MBTI Is:• A Potentially Powerful Self-Management

Tool

• MBTI Is NOT:• An Excuse for Inappropriate Behavior

• MBTI Is:• Highly Accurate for a Psychological

Instrument

• MBTI Is NOT:• The End-All and Be All; It Won’t Solve World

Hunger

What the MBTI Does

• Shows different ways of assimilating information and making decisions

• Indicates relative clarity of individual preferences

• Provides knowledge useful in self-management

• Identifies gifts and blindspots for each type

What the MBTI Doesn’t Do

• Measure excellence, skill or maturity in any of the preferences

• Evaluate or test you – there are no right or wrong answers

• Assess mental health or intelligence – there are no sick or well profiles

• Value judge – there are no good or bad types

• Pigeon-hole you into any category – we all use both sides of every scale every day

Cast

Carl G. Jung INTP

Katharine Briggs INFJ

Isabel Briggs Myers INFP

The Step II Difference

• Deeper look: 5 sub-scales per scale

• Helps explain “But I don’t feel like a …”

• Cross-scale integration

• Comparison to Norm Groups of Like Type

Here’s……….the Report

• Step I Results: P. 3 (Basic MBTI)• Step II Results: PP. 4-8• Composites:

• Communicating: P. 9• Decision-Making: P. 10• Managing Change: P. 11• Managing Conflict: P. 12

• Integration: PP. 13-16• Resources: P. 17• Summary: P. 18

Here’s……….the Report

• Step I Results: P. 3 (Basic MBTI)• Step II Results: PP. 4-8• Composites:

• Communicating: P. 9• Decision-Making: P. 10• Managing Change: P. 11• Managing Conflict: P. 12

• Integration: PP. 13-16• Resources: P. 17• Summary: P. 18

Here’s……….the Report

• Step I Results: P. 3 (Basic MBTI)• Step II Results: PP. 4-8• Composites:

• Communicating: P. 9• Decision-Making: P. 10• Managing Change: P. 11• Managing Conflict: P. 12

• Integration: PP. 13-16• Resources: P. 17• Summary: P. 18

The Attitude Scale

• Extraversion (E)

Initiating

Expressive

Gregarious

Active

Enthusiastic

• Introversion (I)

Receiving

Contained

Intimate

Reflective

Quiet

E: Initiating – I: Receiving(Communicating/Connecting)

• Mingling• Connections• Broad

Conversationalist• Seek Others Out• Facilitators

• Let Conversation Come to Them

• Introducee• Focused

Conversation• Need

Conversational Anchor

E: Expressive – I: Contained(Emotional State, Interests)

• Sharing• Open & Honest• Forthright

w/Feelings• Easy to Know• Need Feedback

• Selective• Comfort Before

Sharing• Sparse w/Verbal &

Body Language• Clam Up Under

Stress• Hard to Know• Need Trust

E: Gregarious – I: Intimate(Breadth/Depth of Connections)

• Variety of Friendships

• Group Interaction• Expand

Connections• Need Network• Give & Take

• Limited Friendships

• Trust• Slow to Develop

But Long-Lasting• Selective Interests• Focus on

Substance

E: Active – I: Reflective(Entertainment, Learning)

• Active Involvement

• Socially Engaged• Speak vs Write• Take the Lead• Learn by Doing,

Listening, Questioning

• Visual, Intellectual, Mental

• Internal Activities• Write vs. Speak• Learn Through

Written Word

E: Enthusiastic – I: Quiet(Level & Kind of Energy)

• Talkative & Hearty• Conversation for

Conversation’s Sake

• Group Discussions• First to Know• Action & Energetic

People• Center of

Attention

• Calm & Reserved• Subdued

Response; NOT Subdued Interest

• Internal Response• Succinct• Understatement• Last to Hear

The Attitude Scale

• Extraversion (E)

Initiating

Expressive

Gregarious

Active

Enthusiastic

• Introversion (I)

Receiving

Contained

Intimate

Reflective

Quiet

E: Expressive – I: Contained(Emotional State, Interests)

• Sharing• Open & Honest• Forthright

w/Feelings• Easy to Know• Need Feedback

• Selective• Comfort Before

Sharing• Sparse w/Verbal &

Body Language• Clam Up Under

Stress• Hard to Know• Need Trust

The Perceiving Function

• Sensing (S)

Concrete

Realistic

Practical

Experiential

Traditional

• Intuition (N)

Abstract

Imaginative

Conceptual

Theoretical

Original

S: Concrete - N: Abstract(General Perception of World)

• Prefer factual• Literal & specific

words• Focus on “real”• Want verification• Value tangible• Abhor abstractions

• See important meaning in ideas and abstractions

• Use tangible world for associations to get meaning

• Communicate with words which evoke associations

• Use words to imply, not specify.

S: Realistic - N: Imaginative(Developing Something New)

• Focus on pragmatic

• What makes a real difference?

• Efficiency goals• Value things for

utility• Value “common

sense”

• Focus on possibilities

• Images are important

• Value creativity• Challenge tried &

true “Conventional Wisdom”

• Solution idea may not work

S: Practical - N: Conceptual(Product/Outcome of Perception)

• Prefer practical application

• Value known methods & process

• Builders more than innovators

• Like certainty, hate vague (“it all depends”)

• Oriented to details of daily living

• Seek meanings• Focus on inference• Enjoy making

connections (ideas)

• Value abstract intellectual discourse

• Enjoy people with quick minds

S: Experiential - N: Theoretical(Making Knowledge/Meaning)

• Validate by real experience

• Wary of theory• Want specific

instructions• Pleasure from

expertly applying their experience

• If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it!

• Discern meanings• Search for patterns• Love/ponder theory• Enjoy making

connections (ideas)• Enjoy chaos theory• Learn better given

theory and context.

S: Traditional - N: Original(Social Context)

• Prefer the way we have always done it.

• Security from fitting in to group/community

• Conformists• Like certainty, hate

vague (“it all depends”)

• Follow traditions and not fads

• Want deliberate, evolving change

• Dislike repetition and sameness

• Inspired to do different

• Enjoy variations (jazz?)

• Value original dress and methods

• Eccentricity is a virtue• Want re-invention and

wholesale change

The Perceiving Function

• Sensing (S)

Concrete

Realistic

Practical

Experiential

Traditional

• Intuition (N)

Abstract

Imaginative

Conceptual

Theoretical

Original

S: Traditional - N: Original(Social Context)

• Prefer the way we have always done it.

• Security from fitting in to group/community

• Conformists• Like certainty, hate

vague (“it all depends”)

• Follow traditions and not fads

• Want deliberate, evolving change

• Dislike repetition and sameness

• Inspired to do different

• Enjoy variations (jazz?)

• Value original dress and methods

• Eccentricity is a virtue• Want re-invention and

wholesale change

The Judging Function

• Thinking (T)

Logical

Reasonable

Questioning

Critical

Tough

• Feeling (F)

Empathetic

Compassionate

Accommodating

Accepting

Tender

T: Logical – F: Empathetic(Judgment Criteria)

• Analysis Using Reason

• Assumptions, Facts, Rules

• Disagree But Respect

• Generalized & Impersonal Principles

• Rights & Fairness

• Framework of Relationships

• Life Experience & Personal Meanings

• Logic = One of Many Human Characteristics

• Truth is Both Personal & Universal

• Feelings > Rights

T: Reasonable – F: Compassionate(Maintaining Relationships)

• Relationships are Task-Focused

• Caring Through Analysis & Problem-Solving

• Consistent• Equitable

Distribution of Positives & Negatives

• Personalized & Interconnected World

• Relate Through Shared Experience

• Judgments Based on Mercy

• Uniqueness of People

• Value Recognition Based on Relationships

T: Questioning – F: Accommodating(Dealing with Differences)

• Detached, Impersonal Truth

• Questioning Solves Problems

• Find Common Ground

• Truth Independent of Personalities

• Socially Defined Reality

• Focus on Own & Others’ Understanding

• Questioning = Attack

• Consensus Builders

• Avoid Hurting Feelings

T: Critical – F: Accepting(Post-Judgment Activity)

• Set Things Right• Honesty Over Tact• Notice What’s

Wrong Before What’s Right

• No Compromise: Hurt Feelings Will Recover, Bad Decisions Last

• High Standards

• Truth in Ideas & Viewpoints

• Open to Others’ Views

• Affirmation Ahead of Being Correct

• Maintain Harmony

T: Tough – F: Tender(Carrying Out Decisions)

• Stand Firm• No Compromise• “Do it right”• Distrust Use of

Feelings, Attachments

• Not Worried About Popularity of Decision

• Effects Outweigh Logic

• Well-Being is Central

• “Do the right thing”

• May Stand Firm, But Will Use Warmth in Conveying

The Judging Function

• Thinking (T)

Logical

Reasonable

Questioning

Critical

Tough

• Feeling (F)

Empathetic

Compassionate

Accommodating

Accepting

Tender

T: Tough – F: Tender(Carrying Out Decisions)

• Stand Firm• No Compromise• “Do it right”• Distrust Use of

Feelings, Attachments

• Not Worried About Popularity of Decision

• Effects Outweigh Logic

• Well-Being is Central

• “Do the right thing”

• May Stand Firm, But Will Use Warmth in Conveying

Life Style Orientation

• Judging (J)

Systematic

Planful

Early Starting

Scheduled

Methodical

• Perceiving (P)

Casual

Open-Ended

Pressure-Prompted

Spontaneous

Emergent

J: Systematic - P: Casual(Organizing Our Environment)

• Methodical approach to tasks

• Schedule tasks• Use structure• Predict and meet

deadlines• Hate inefficiency,

clutter and waste• Hate chaos or

indecision (“right or wrong, move out!)

• Spontaneous approach

• Open to new and fresh ways to do things

• Like variety• Easy going on

schedules, deadlines and decisions

• Use loose unstructured aproach

• May postpone important decisions until satisfied all sides are considered.

J: Planful - P: Open ended(Arranging Leisure/Social Time)

• Prefer definite schedule for leisure time

• Do long range planning

• Will not take last minute options since their time is previously scheduled

• Like certainty in their life schedule

• Prefer unscheduled leisure time

• Do what is most interesting at the moment

• May cancel earlier plans to do something different (better)

• Value freedom to chose as they go (with the flow)

J: Scheduled - P: Spontaneous(Structure to Daily Activities)

• Prefer routine• Predictable and

productive flow of tasks and activities

• Rituals of daily and seasonal activity

• Adapt to “daytimers”

• Energized by variety• Find routine painful• Enjoy freedom to

decide what to do and when

• Introduce variety into their work

• Hate being “stuck in a rut” of life routine (want to “ride to the ridge where the West commences…”

J: Methodical - P: Emergent(Sequencing Smaller Tasks)

• Make Lists• Arrange Materials

in Order• Contact People

Well in Advance• Remind Those

People• Read Directions

Before Starting

• Discover as They Go

• Don’t Usually Start at First Step (May Not Do Steps in Order)

• Prefer Looser, Less Structured Approach

• Trial & Error• Read Directions as

Last Resort

J: Early Starting - P: Pressure Prompted(Managing Time)

• Prefer starting tasks early

• Are stressed by needing to work at last minute to meet deadlines

• Their stress of coping with deadline may erupt and impact relationships

• Want to know their tasks early (so they can start early)

• Feel like failures when they miss deadline

• Do their best under deadline time pressure

• Find it hard to work without deadline

• Put off work until last minute (but they are thinking)

• May not know how long it will take to do something

• May lose enthusiasm and idea effectiveness if finishing early

PAIR UP

Al Dennis

Asghar Rick

Bob Ed

Charlie Vince

Danny Julie

Dave Kathy

Dennis Al

Doug Michele

Ed Bob

Eric Gale

Gale Eric

John Steve

Joseph Ken

Julie Danny

Kathy Dave

Ken Joe

Mark Valerie

Michele Doug

Rick Asghar

Steve John

Valerie Mark

Vince Charlie

Talk about scheduled departures – early, last

minute, moderate or missed.

Life Style Orientation

• Judging (J)

Systematic

Planful

Early Starting

Scheduled

Methodical

• Perceiving (P)

Casual

Open-Ended

Pressure-Prompted

Spontaneous

Emergent

J: Early Starting - P: Pressure Prompted(Managing Time)

• Prefer starting tasks early

• Are stressed by needing to work at last minute to meet deadlines

• Their stress of coping with deadline may erupt and impact relationships

• Want to know their tasks early (so they can start early)

• Feel like failures when they miss deadline

• Do their best under deadline time pressure

• Find it hard to work without deadline

• Put off work until last minute (but they are thinking)

• May not know how long it will take to do something

• May lose enthusiasm and idea effectiveness if finishing early