Personality Plus
What type of personality are you? And why should you care? Upon investigation, some useful self-knowledge is gained, as well as a positive look at what your best qualities are.
The 16 personality types of the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) were developed by Katharine Cook Briggs and her daughter Isabel Briggs Myers between the early 1940s and 1962, based on Carl Jung’s theory of psychological types from 1921. While prototypes were tested during WWII (around 1942-1943), the first official manual was published in 1962.
The 16 Myers-Briggs personality types are four-letter codes based on preferences for directing energy (E/I), processing information (S/N), making decisions (T/F), and organizing life (J/P). These types—such as INTJ, ENFP, and ISTJ—are and are commonly used for career counseling, team building, and self-awareness.
The first letter in your MBTI personality type (also known as your first preference) is how you get your energy.
Extraversion – E stands for Extraversion, and people who have this personality preference are energized by the outer world of people and things. They generally share their ideas verbally and “recharge” by being around other people.
Introversion – I stand for Introversion, and people with this personality preference are energized by their inner world. In contrast to people with preferences for Extraversion, Introverts use their energy interacting with people and things and gain energy by spending time alone and in their heads. They usually prefer to go through all their ideas and then share them out loud.
NOTE: Any one person is not completely extraverted or completely introverted, you actually use both preferences throughout your day. One just comes more naturally to you – just like you naturally cross your arms one way and the other way feels a little awkward (but that doesn’t mean you can’t do it!).
The second letter in your MBTI type is how you learn
Sensing – S is for the Sensing preference. People who have the letter S in your MBTI type tend to process things in a step-by-step linear sequence and observe and remember specific information. They also tend to focus on the facts and what can be observed via their five senses.
Intuition – N is for the Intuition (because we already used the letter I for Introversion) and people who have a preference for Intuition generally learn by seeing the big picture and themes, and thinking about how specific information is connected.
The third letter in your MBTI type is how you make decisions
Thinking – the letter T is for Thinking, and people who have this preference tend to make decisions based on pros and cons, and weighing logical consequences from an objective point of view.
Feeling – the letter F indicates someone who has a preference for Feeling, meaning that they make decisions based on how those decisions might affect other people involved.
Another Note: Just because you have a preference for Thinking or Feeling doesn’t mean you can’t see things from the other side, again it just means when you first consider making a decision, you’re going to use this preference FIRST and may or may not use the other preference (depending on how self-aware you are, if someone else involved brings in the opposite preference, etc.)
The fourth letter in your MBTI personality type indicates how you organize your life
Judging – the letter J stands for Judging, and people who have a preference for judging are the list-makers and planners. They like to have a structure and schedule to their time and will generally space out projects so they get work done a bit at a time.
Perceiving – the letter P stands for Perceiving, and people with this preference are the ones who want flexibility in their lives and in how their time is managed. They would rather be open to new opportunities for events and like making decisions on the fly, and can sometimes enjoy working on things at the last minute or on their own schedule.
Want to learn more about these preferences? Take the MBTI assessment here to find out your MBTI personality type and get access to a ton more content that goes in-depth as to how personality type can affect your career, the way your communicate, your love life and more, and learn how you can use that knowledge to be happier, healthier and better at what you do.
The 16 Personality Types (Categorized into Analysts, Diplomats, Sentinels, and Explorers)
Analysts (Intuitive-Thinking): Strategic, logical thinkers.
INTJ–Introversion Intuition Thinking Judging (Mastermind/Architect): Analytical, strategic, and independent.
INTP–Introversion Intuition Thinking Perceiving (Thinker/Architect): Conceptual, innovative, and objective.
ENTJ–Extroversion Intuition Thinking Judging (Commander/Fieldmarshal): Decisive, strategic leaders.
ENTP (Visionary/Inventor): Curious, adaptable, and clever inventors.
Diplomats (Intuitive-Feeling): Idealistic, empathetic types.
INFJ–Introversion Intuition Feeling Judging (Counselor/Idealist): Compassionate, principled, and insightful.
INFP (Healer/Idealist): Empathetic, creative, and loyal.
ENFJ (Teacher/Protagonist): Charismatic, inspiring, and supportive.
ENFP (Champion/Campaigner): Enthusiastic, creative, and sociable.
Sentinels (Sensing-Judging): Practical, organized, and reliable.
ISTJ (Inspector/Logistician): Responsible, organized, and traditional.
ISFJ (Protector/Nurturer): Dedicated, warm, and diligent caretakers.
ESTJ (Supervisor/Executive): Practical, orderly, and direct leaders.
ESFJ (Provider/Consul): Caring, cooperative, and social.
Explorers (Sensing-Perceiving): Spontaneous, flexible, and action-oriented.
ISTP (Crafter/Virtuoso): Logical, hands-on, and adaptable.
ISFP (Composer/Artist): Gentle, sensitive, and spontaneous.
ESTP (Promoter/Entrepreneur): Energetic, proactive, and practical.
ESFP (Performer/Entertainer): Spontaneous, energetic, and fun-loving.
It’s interesting to examine what the personality types of people in your life are. There may very well be two people that on the surface seem to have very similar interests, but an examination of personality types tells a different story. For instance, Lennart and I are both into fitness, we’ve done CrossFit, we write this blog together, we both have three kids, and we enjoy the same movies. But it turns out Lennart is INTP–Introversion Intuition Thinking Perceiving (Thinker/Architect): Conceptual, innovative, and objective. I am more ESFJ (Provider/Consul): Caring, cooperative, and social. We’re pretty much the exact opposite of each other in personality type.
While we were talking on the phone about this, we both had a good feeling come over us. It was nice to reflect on the qualities of a friend, and also of yourself. In the digital world of social media, it’s pretty much divided into the “haves” and “have nots.” The subtle nuances of what really makes up a person is passed over in a very polarized and judgemental way. It’s worth taking the time to reflect on the fact that you are more than social media is conditioning you to feel about yourself.
So, set aside the black and white world of social media, and reflect on the full spectrum of colors that you and your loved ones are. Sit around with some friends and find out what personality types you are. Colorful, meaningful, and informative conversations are guaranteed to follow.
Until next time
Scott and Lennart