Appreciating Our Strengths: Lessons Learned From a Personality Assessment
By Susan Knight | Life is better when we appreciate our own and others’ unique strengths.
Written by Susan Knight | Seeking Veritas Columnist | Sankarsingh-Gonsalves Productions.
While attending marriage counselling many years ago, my then-husband and I completed the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) personality assessment. We were blown away by how accurately our respective personalities were described; and struck by how precisely our relationship dynamics were outlined based on the assessment results.
Rooted in the psychological theory of Carl Jung, the initial idea for the MBTI was conceived by Katharine Cook Briggs and her daughter Isabel Briggs Myers in the 1920s. The assessment, first published by Myers in 1962, focuses on an individual's preference in four key areas. These four areas look at how the person processes information and engages with the world around them. The various configurations arising from the dominant orientation in these four areas result in sixteen distinct MBTI personality types.
The MBTI’s Four Personality Preference Areas
The MBTI assessment can be completed either online or through an MBTI Certified Practitioner. The following description of the assessment’s four preference areas reflects the core concepts the assessment is built around. This brief overview isn’t a substitute for taking the actual assessment, but as you read through the description for each preference, you’ll likely recognize your own tendencies and leanings.
1. Extroversion or Introversion (EI) Preference:
The extroversion/introversion preference reflects the extent to which one draws energy from their outer or inner world; and whether one’s mind is more naturally directed outward or inward. Extroverts are typically comfortable amidst groups of people and external activity; and they’re often energized in the process. Whereas introverts must typically make more of an effort to navigate groups and external activity; and they often find themselves drained by the process.
2. Sensing or Intuition (SN) Preference:
The sensing/intuition preference reflects the manner in which one most naturally perceives and takes in information. Sensing is associated with focusing on factual details, processing existing information in a step-by-step linear fashion, and being pragmatic; such an approach would readily draw on past experience or existing tools/methodologies to solve a problem. Whereas intuition is associated with imagination, readily grasping the big picture without needing to first work through all the details, and abstract conceptualization; such an approach would readily envision new possibilities to solve a problem in an original way.
3. Thinking or Feeling (TF) Preference:
The thinking/feeling preference reflects the approach one most naturally uses to draw conclusions and make decisions. A dominant thinking style leans toward logical, impersonal analysis that prioritizes objectivity and facts. Whereas a dominant feeling style leans toward an empathetic, personal, values-based assessment highly attuned to elements beyond the facts, such as how people might react to the facts.
4. Judging or Perceiving (JP) Preference:
The judging/perceiving preference reflects the way one most naturally approaches the outside world. A dominant judging preference (which may be exercised through either a thinking or feeling approach) is reflected in a more structured and organized lifestyle; with a leaning towards following schedules, adhering to plans, maintaining control, finalizing decisions, and achieving closure. Whereas a dominant perceiving preference (which may be exercised through either a sensing or intuitive approach) is reflected in a less structured and more flexible lifestyle; with a leaning towards exploring options, openness to new information, spontaneity, and going with the flow.
Even though we all utilize a mix of behaviours within each of the four preference areas, a dominant orientation is usually discernible, i.e.: the direction one leans toward most naturally, easily, and strongly. Even when we don’t readily recognize our own dominant orientation, it’s not uncommon for other people to see it clearly. Especially when people know us well or have observed our behaviour over time, they’re often able to anticipate how we’ll react in a given situation based on past patterns of behaviour.
Leveraging Our Own and Others’ Natural Strengths
As we grow and mature, we tend to expand our behavioural skill set. Some of this happens through experience gained from dealing with different situations. Some of this happens as we observe and emulate different behaviours modeled by people around us. But the fact remains: we all have a unique set of strengths based on our innate predisposition and a host of factors shaping our development. Playing to those strengths contributes to our confidence and overall fulfillment.
Of course, there will inevitably be times when our natural strengths don’t provide exactly what we need for the situation at hand. Therefore, it makes sense for us to recognize, appreciate, and leverage the strengths of others, be it in our family relationships, our social circles, or our professional lives.
Specifically:
• Sensing types can benefit from the intuitive types’ ability to conceptualize new ideas, see the big picture, imagine future possibilities, and come up with novel solutions to problems. This is helpful when the sensing type is dealing with an unfamiliar situation where the facts aren’t fully known; or when their past experience is inadequate for dealing with current circumstances.
• Intuitive types can benefit from the sensing types’ ability to be detail-oriented, mindful of facts, and cognizant of relevant constraints. When the intuitive type has a high-level vision in mind, the sensing type can offer realistic feedback regarding practical issues that need to be addressed in order for the vision to be realized.
• Thinking types can benefit from the feeling types’ ability to persuade others, display sensitivity to people’s needs, anticipate how others will feel, and apply empathy towards others when problem-solving. This is helpful when the thinking type’s communication/delivery could come across as harsh or insensitive, and thus wind up being poorly received rather than beneficial to the intended recipient.
• Feeling types can benefit from the thinking types’ ability to analyze, critique, apply logic, and assess a situation objectively. When the feeling type must make a decision where fallout of some kind is inevitable, the thinking type can bring added clarity to the situation by offering an impersonal, objective breakdown of all the pros and cons associated with each possible course of action.
It’s easy for personality differences among us to lead to friction, frustration, and conflict (we’ve all been there!) Yet there’s so much to be gained when we recognize and appreciate how everyone has a unique blend of strengths to contribute. Isabel Briggs Myers expressed this beautifully when she stated:
“By developing individual strengths, guarding against weaknesses, and appreciating the strengths of other types, life will be more amusing, more interesting, and more of a daily adventure than it could possibly be if everyone were alike.”
About the author: Susan Knight | SGP Featured Writer | Contact the author: @ http://skfreelance.com
Susan is certified health and wellness coach with a focus on personal growth and inner wellness. She was a regular contributor to Social Work Today Magazine and is a featured Health & Wellness Columnist for SGP.
Great image that was selected to accompany the article!