Myers-Briggs® Personality Types
When holidaying abroad it is a really good idea not to fall asleep in the sun, get sunstroke and spend the next few days consigned to the villa bathroom.
That said, should you sustain said sunstroke, it’s wise to ensure that your fellow villa dwellers are marvellously compassionate beings who think nothing of cancelling evenings out to keep you company; hold your hair back while you throw up…(again) and lend you their sunglasses / head scarves / fake tan to a.) prevent a recurrence and b.) make you look like you’ve been lying on a beach for days rather than bent double over the loo.
You may have gathered that I am less than well, as I write from my holiday villa.
From my vantage point on the sofa, however, I have been able to watch my two friends, whose Myers-Briggs® personality types are ENFP and ESFP at close hand.
On the face of it, their profiles are quite similar.
Both prefer Extraversion (E) – i.e. they like to talk, get energy from being with other people and from experiencing new things. Conversation has not been in short supply as we’ve sat on the patio late into the night sharing a bottle of wine.
Both prefer Feeling (F) – i.e. they make decisions based on people, values and relationships. Hence, the extraordinary care they have taken of me this week.
Both prefer Perceiving (P) – i.e. they are ‘go with the flow’ girls, spontaneous and adaptable. Capable of changing plans at a moment’s notice and unfazed by the daily reports that filter through to us that the airport is shut / open / shut / open as a result of the volcanic ash cloud.
The difference between them is that one prefers Sensing (S) and the other Intuition (N).
Sensing types pay attention to detail. Friend A, for example, has brought about 47 different outfits with her, each with matching beach wear, shoes and accessories. Whatever the occasion or weather demands, she has the clothes to suit. Friend B on the other hand has brought one sweatshirt, some leggings, a swimsuit and a random selection of t-shirts.
Friend A has a lengthy beauty regime, involving more products than Boots could shake a stick at. Friend B is a ‘shower and go’ kind of girl, who is often ready hours before A.
Friend A likes to ensure she has every ingredient necessary, when entertaining others. Friend B, on the other hand, will magic an inventive feast for impromptu guests from the remnants of our fridge.
The great thing is that they understand, accept and respect each other’s differences.
When ‘S’ and ‘N’ types come together in the workplace, this is not always the case. Sensing types often describe Intuitives as ‘airy fairy’ and ‘vague’, while Intuitives are often heard referring to their Sensing counterparts as ‘anal’!
Pooling these resources, rather than having them work against each other, can be extremely rewarding. Intuitives like to come up with ideas and concepts. They are creative ‘future’ thinkers. Sensing types prefer to put the detail to the idea and implement the steps needed to bring the idea to fruition. Both contribute a valuable part of the process.
For more information on Myers-Briggs® personality types, and how they can help your team work more productively together, take a look at our Myers Briggs® courses or give us a call.
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