bridging personality differences in the workplace
TRANSCRIPT
Kyle Danzey, M.S.Ed.Assistant Director for Career and Professional [email protected]
Workshop Objectives
1. Introduction to MBTI personality types2. Exploration of own type3. Understand how team working can be affected by
difference in personality4. An opportunity to explore strategies to develop own
approach to working with others.
Myers Briggs Type Indicator
What is the MBTI
The Myers Briggs Type Indicator is
a tool or framework for understanding
our own Personality Type
and that of others.
It is an indicator
not a test so there are no
right or wrong
answers
It looks at normal
behavior
It identifies preferences rather than competencies, abilities
or skills.
Basic AssumptionsThe MBTI questionnaire
assesses preferences.
Preferences are not absolutes: everyone uses all eight.
Preferences are not abilities: MBTI preferences do not tell
you what you can and can’t do.
There are no better or worse types: all types have potential!
People are the best judges of their own type
Why Understanding Personality can have a positive impact in the workplace.
1. Avoid and resolve conflicts2. Play to an individual’s strengths3. Identify gaps in the team4. Enable self-understanding and so
reduce stress5. Help you learn to relax6. Aid career development7. Assist communication strategies8. Provide managers with the
understanding to give effective feedback
9. Inform personal development plan
The Basics (4 Scales) Favorite World: Do you prefer to
focus on the outer world or your own inner world? This
is calledExtraversion (E)
or Introversion (I)
Information: Do you prefer to focus
on the basic information you take in or do you prefer
to interrupt and add meaning? This is
called Sensing (S) or Intuition (N)
Decisions: When making decisions, do
you prefer to first look at logic and
consistency or first look at the people and special circumstances?
This is called Thinking (T) or
Feeling (F)
Structure: In dealing with the
outside world, do you prefer to get things decided or do you
prefer to stay open to new information and
options? This is called Judging (J) or Perceiving (P)
Preference Type
When combined your preferences indicate your Preference Type:
E or I S or N T or F J or P
There are 16 preference types (e.g. ESTP, INTJ, ENFP, INTJ etc)
Let’s Try It!
Four Main Type Groups
Spontaneous, connect with surroundings, think on their feet
Four Main Type Groups
Empathy and cooperation, counseling, imaginative, issues when there is a need to rely exclusively on cold rationality
or make difficult decisions
Four Main Type Groups
Rational and impartial, excel in intellectual debates, independent, strategic, difficulty with
social pursuits
Four Main Type Groups
Highly practical, embracing and creating order, security and stability wherever they go, tend to be hard working,
meticulous and traditional, and excel in logistical or administrative fields
Job Stressors
I
• Working with others• Interacting with
others frequently
• Having to act quickly without reflection
• Too many concurrent tasks and demands
E• Working alone• Having to
communicate mainly by email
• Lengthy work periods with no interruptions
• Getting feedback in writing only
N• Having to do things
the proven way• Checking the accuracy
of facts• Needing to focus on
past experiences
S• Having to do old
things in new ways• Having to give an
overview without details
• Focusing on possibilities
Job Stressors
T
• Adjusting to individual differences and needs
• Using empathy and personal values to make decisions
• Using personal experience to assess situation
F• Analyzing situations
objectively• Setting criteria and
standards • Being expected to use
logic alone to make decisions
J• Waiting for structure
to emerge from process
• Too much flexibility around time frames and deadlines
• Dealing with surprises
P• Working within
timeframes• Developing
contingency plans• Being required to plan
ahead
Group Activity: Bridging the Office
After splitting into 4 different groups
you will be assigned a scale
of the MBTI.
Within your group, review the
traits of both personality types
on the scale.
Then consider your work
environment and develop a list of best practices
that will support both personality
types.
List the best practices on the
flip chart provided and prepare to present to the
group.
Key Take Aways
We can all do everything—type tells us about our
preferences, not our
abilities. None of the preferences
exist in isolation. Type
is dynamic and “the whole is
greater than the sum of the
parts.”
The best guide to your preferences is
how you behave in situations
where you feel most natural and at ease.
Type should not be used as an
excuse for doing or not doing
anything, or for criticizing or typecasting
others.
Type is probably
inborn, but its expression is affected by a
person’s personal
circumstances, life stage,
culture, upbringing,
etc.
Next Steps
Individual MBTI Online
Implementation
Assessment
For More Information
Center for Career and Professional Development
University Center, Suite 206
540-654-5646