Richard's MBTI Results:
I: Tend to get energized by reflecting on experiences and ideas
S: Prefer to take in tangible information
T: Prefer to base decisions or conclusions on logic with accuracy
J: Prefer to take an organized planned approach to the world. Arrive at a
conclusion then move on to the next issue at hand.
Richard's MBTI Profile:
My initial reflections about the professional implcations of my MBTI profile:
While contemplating my MBTI results, I found myself considering just how closely these results actually align with my behaviors. My ISTJ profile describes me as dependable, practical, realistic. I should also display loyalty to family and organizations. I’m one that should value structure and schedules. I should be calm, serious, traditional with a preference for clearly defined roles and responsibilities. My sense was that these descriptions were fairly accurate. To validate this, I asked my wife and teenage daughter the question, “Does this description sound like anyone that you know?”. As I read through the results, their laughter confirmed that the mother daughter duo of Katherine Briggs and Isabel Briggs Myers had me figured out!
With that settled, I began to reflect on what this information means to me professionally. I believe that the MBTI assessment tool was able to assist me to begin considering methods to improve interactions with team members in my current position. I realized that several of my colleagues display a preference for extraversion, intuition, and feeling. I tend to conduct myself in a focused manner completing the various related work tasks throughout the day. In contrast, several of my colleagues will often simply take moments throughout the day to visit with one another over coffee. I know see that having those kinds of short social interactions “energizes” my colleagues during the work day. Prior to learning more about the MBTI and leadership, I would view such social interactions as interruptions to the work flow of the day. As a leader, I want to encourage positive sources of social interaction; and I should begin to seek out ways to engage the social aspect of working with others.
Additionally, I need to pay attention to how others would like to be led and to how others would like appreciation to be expressed to them. My own “default preference” as an ISTJ, means that I tend to function just fine over extended periods of time without a strong desire to seek praise or recognition expressed publicly. However, my ISTJ “setting” also means that I will often go long periods without acknowledging the good work of other professionals around me. This means that the colleagues in my work group with a stronger N-F “default preference” are not hearing from me that I really do admire the work that is being accomplished by them.
I believe that the reflections and discussions that took place throughout Immersion I have placed me on a pathway of reflecting beyond my own type preference. I have realized that one aspect of leading others well, means to explore opportunities to build supportive relationships between team members within an organization. In doing so, I hope to create an environment that professionals would chose to devote their time, talent, and energy toward the success of the organization.