Soon-to-be Strathclyde MBA graduate Rosemary Irons delivered a fascinating Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) workshop to over two dozen classmates on the SBS Abu Dhabi campus on April 16.
A qualified MBTI practitioner with extensive consulting and training experience, Rosemary walked her audience through the meaning and purpose of this psychometric test, and facilitated an engaging discussion about its applicability to MBA students' goals of becoming increasingly successful leaders and managers.
Rosemary clarified from the outset that the assessment does not reflect capabilities in professional and interpersonal settings, as is often misunderstood to be the test's purpose. Attendees learned that no one type is universally better than another, and the test is in no way a reflection of psychological wellbeing. Rather, Rosemary explained that the MBTI instrument can be used to develop an understanding of an individual's personality type. This allows for increased awareness of and ability to manage the associated natural preferences and tendencies.
As the audience discovered, one's type is determined by the combination of four dichotomous categories. Individuals may be, to varying degrees: extroverted (E) or introverted (I); sensing (S) or intuitive (I), thinking (T) or feeling (F), and judging (J) or perceiving (P).
Workshop participants were given the opportunity to undertake a detailed self-assessment to determine personal type, and the natural characteristics of each type were explored. The group was then able to reflect on the implications of each other's types for academic group work, professional interactions, and the development of effective leadership skills.
As Rosemary pointed out, a mix of MBTI opposites in a group setting may create a variety of stylistic challenges, but can actually provide more well-rounded and thought-provoking analysis than tends to result from a completely likeminded team. Furthermore, participants were encouraged to consider that professionals typically launch careers within the comfort zone of their own personality types. As an executive progresses into higher managerial positions, however, it often becomes necessary to expand responsibilities and consciously implement behaviours that are more consistent with our MBTI type's opposite.