Tag: carl jung

On becoming MBTI Certified

The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator certification is useful

Joe Arrigo MBTI Certified Practitioner


I have always been somebody that believed you didn’t need a certification if you already have the practical experience. After all, a certification is just a piece of paper that says you have the median level of competency as assessed by that accredited institution or vendor.

I had been studying MBTI for 2 years prior to getting my certification, so I really didn’t see the need to get it as I felt like I was very much ahead of the class. I had essentially read the entire library of MBTI literature from David Keirsey to Dario Nardi to John Beebe. In my mind, I theoretically had all the concepts locked down.

Left to Right: Keirsey, Beebe, Nardi

When I finally bit the bullet and registered for the class, I quickly realized there were many small details that I would not have known without the class. Some of the details are crucial to your professional presentation and administration.

Ethical and Legal

For example, I did not know about the ethical and legal aspects of MBTI, nor did I have the professional know-how to look competent as I was delivering and administering both the test and the subsequent walk-through. I had the theory, but I was missing that logistical administration piece that truly makes you a professional practitioner.

The language of how you give feedback to your client is very important. What tends to happen when you are in “enthusiast mode,” is that you tell people what their Type is, instead of telling them, “Well, you probably prefer introversion over Extraversion, but you have the ability to do both.” During my class, I learned there are specific ways of speaking that both lend credibility and authority to you as a practitioner.

On the practical side of becoming certified, there is the Human Resources box that needs to be checked. When looking to hire an MBTI practitioner for a workshop or coaching session, oftentimes a credentialed professional is required internally to be approved. This ensures that the accredited institution has validated your ability to use the tool and administer it effectively. No matter the fairness of this process, the reality is what it is. I resisted this notion for so long (part of my INTJ personality, no doubt!)

New to Myers-Briggs

Many in the class were part of a larger group that was essentially enrolled by their Director for professional use. This group was part of a career readiness and up-skilling program that was looking to use MBTI as a career guidance tool.

Within this group, some had never heard of MBTI until they took the assessment a week prior. In that case, I do believe the class may feel rigorous and overwhelming with information. Coming in green will probably feel like learning an entire new language that you have to learn in 4 days.

The Final Test

Throughout the course, the instructor highlighted slides that were “important to take notes on,” which is code word for “these will be on the final test.” I found that this was accurate and that paying attention to these throughout the 4 days led to success on the final exam. What is essential to the Myers Briggs Company and the Myers Briggs Foundation is that those who are representing them, do so in an ethical, professional, and formal manner. This criteria manifests itself throughout the final exam.

Conclusion

Overall, it was worth getting the certification to essentially cross my T’s and dot my I’s so there can be no question as to my competency in administering the MBTI assessment. I would recommend certification to those who are already experienced in Typology and for those who are simply enthusiasts.

To book me for MBTI consultations–find my Calendly on the sidebar or here!

For more of my content, you know where to find me:

  1. Youtube
  2. LinkedIn
  3. Blog
  4. Etsy

LinkedIn Poll: Sensation vs. iNtuition

What I thought was an Intuitive vs. Sensor question, took a drastic turn!

I’ve been running a series of LinkedIn polls in order to gather my own data of the population, and to see where people fit into the 4 different dichotomies within the MBTI world.

Dichotomies
The 4 Jungian dichotomies

My most recent poll was attempting to see whether my audience preferred Sensing or iNtuition when it came to viewing a piece of artwork.

I gave 3 options, due to the fact that in my previous poll, the audience feedback was overwhelming in support of a 3rd option.

Poll Question

When I look at a painting, I concentrate on…

  • The details of the artwork
  • The meaning of the artwork
  • The feeling it evokes

Option 1 was for the Sensors, Option 2 was for the iNtuitives, and Option 3 was actually a Feeling answer, which was outside the scope of what I was wanting for this poll.

The fact that Option 3, “The feeling the artwork evokes,” won the day, is likely due to the fact that I should not have given that answer as an option because of course art will ALWAYS evoke emotions within the viewer.

If we just concentrate on the S vs N answers (Options 1 and 2), there is only a slight preference for Sensation when it comes to how one views art and, in the broader sense of psychology, how one prefers to take in information. This is not in line with how the general population breaks down, and these would be considered abnormal results.

From this article, and other research supporting it, society is 75% S and 25% N.

Conclusion

My conclusion is that I did not follow in the footsteps of the MBTI “forced-choice model” and thus skewed my results completely. There are always going to be cases where a person will use both Sensation or iNtuition when looking at something or viewing data.

The point that needs to be understood and, most importantly, explained better by MBTI Practitioners like myself, is that we are simply looking at what you prefer to use first, not whether or not you are capable of using a certain preference.

The uniqueness of the MBTI assessment is that it groups you by Type, not by Trait. It does not tell you how good or well developed you are at using Extraversion or Introversion. It simply tells you that you prefer to use one over the other.

As always, thank you for reading and for your support!

To book me for MBTI consultations–find my Calendly on the sidebar or here!

For more of my content, you know where to find me:

  1. Youtube
  2. LinkedIn
  3. Blog
  4. Etsy

How to Figure out your MBTI Function Stack

Joe Arrigo attempts to easily explain this complicated formula

MBTI Function Stack

Video Transcript via Zubtitle:

The MBTI function stack is one of the more advanced concepts within personality and I’ve gotten some requests to explain this in a separate video.

So I want to lay it out as best I can. There are a couple different methods I’ve seen or ways to describe how you figure out the function stack.

Everyone understands when they start digging into MBTI, that there is a way that every type processes information and they all have a unique order, but most people don’t actually know how you figure that out.

And it’s fun to point out how to do it, it’s not necessarily important to know if you’re (just) an enthusiast, but it’s almost a cool party trick just to understand people at a level deeper than “oh, you’re an ENFP. That means you’re the cheerleader.”

Well, I want you to be able to figure out this formula and go, “Oh, they’re Extraverted iNtuition with Introverted Feeling” because you can figure it out using this formula in your head.

So, I’m going to share my screen and I’m going to draw it out as best. I can forgive me my hand writing is pretty terrible. But I’m going to go over a couple examples and we’re going to just start off with the ENTJ.

(Watch the video from this point)

I hope that this helps a little bit there are some activities and then some very good resources I can provide via YouTube and in books that will lay out the formula, but I appreciate you watching. Let me know if this clarifies things or if we’re all now more confused than ever.

To book me for MBTI consultations–find my Calendly on the sidebar or here!

For more of my content, you know where to find me:

  1. Youtube
  2. LinkedIn
  3. Blog
  4. Etsy

LinkedIn Poll: Where do you get your energy from?

My LinkedIn poll completely surprised me

LinkedIn poll results

I had a completely biased viewpoint going into this poll. My expectations were aligned with what David Keirsey, author of Please Understand Me, concluded was society’s breakdown of Introverts vs Extraverts, which was 75% Extravert, 25% Introvert. For those that didn’t see my intention, this was my attempt at figuring out which people in my network were I’s and E’s.

However, the results were completely mirrored from what Mr. Keirsey found to be true. 76% Introvert and 24% Extravert?!!

How did this happen?

Comments

Some excellent comments need to be highlighted which shed some light on the results, and my errors in the framing of the question.

“Could it be that because you are introverted, the people in your network are also introverted and the results are coming out that way for that reason?”

“I wanted a “both” option, because it depends on how the week went. Sometimes alone time is required, other times, I want to hang out and chat or have a beer.”

“I think it’s dependent on who the other person is. Some people are draining, take your energy without giving any back or they deflect it.“

“It might be good to add another option for extroverts that aren’t social, as what fundamentally recharges them is stimulation that triggers the rewards center of the brain and generates dopamine, that can come from others, but it doesn’t necessarily have to either.”

“I am BOTH. It depends on what type of recharge I need.”

“I am on the I/E bubble. I can recharge alone OR with a close family member/friend.”

“It’s a pretty small sample size. That said, perhaps there’s a bias that more introverted people respond to such written surveys about such things.”

Option 3

Following in the Jungian spirit, my goal was to force an answer in order to get clear results and weed out the fence-sitters. What happened in reality was an overwhelming call for a 3rd option that centered around being “Both, depending on the situation.”

This reaction makes sense, in that nobody can be completely Introverted or Extraverted unless they are in a deep state of mental illness. What I find interesting about the results is the fact that so many respondents needed to clarify why they chose a certain answer, as if choosing a side was somehow limiting or putting them “in a box.”

(Possible) Errors in my poll

Here are some of the faults in my poll:

  • It’s not a representative sample size because my reach is limited to my network
  • 199 respondents is not a large enough data set to get an accurate measure on an entire population
  • Self-reporting is historically inaccurate
  • Introversion vs Extraversion is the hardest dichotomy to force a clear answer

Conclusion

Though this was not a scientifically validated poll, there are takeaways that should be considered relevant on an anecdotal level.

People are dynamic creatures that adapt and change in specific environments and to various stimuli. Thus, trying to force a binary response will be a mixed bag of results, especially when there is not a 3rd option that allows for a “Both, depending on the situation” type answer.

As I mention in my discussions around MBTI and personality, there is no right or wrong answer when it comes to your Type, and everyone has gifts to share that are highly individualized. Embrace them!

To book me for MBTI consultations–find my Calendly on the sidebar or here!

For more of my content, you know where to find me:

  1. Youtube
  2. LinkedIn
  3. Blog
  4. Etsy

Repost –Corporate Communication and Personality Type (MBTI)

Communication, according to corporate consultants, is the #1 factor for any and all issues within the workplace. And they would be correct. However, the solutions that are typically employed are unable to solve the underlying issue– personality type amongst colleagues.

The 3 solutions implemented are:

  1. Increased communication, even “over communication”
  2. Clearer and more concise communication
  3. CC’ing a superior to accelerate response times

You can pick and choose the cases where these methods were effective, but an alternative may have longer lasting results.


Myers-Briggs Type Indicator

Most are familiar with the Myers-Briggs Assessment that breaks down everyone into 1 of 16 personality types, designated by a 4-letter acronym (ex. ESFP, ENTJ, ISTJ, etc.). Each letter has a distinct opposite, as follows:


• E vs I (extroversion vs introversion)
• N vs T (intuition vs thinking)
• T vs F (thinking vs feeling)
• J vs P (judging vs perceiving)

The focus here is on the Judging vs Perceiving function that I believe is where most communication breaks down. Therefore, an increase in communication only exacerbates the problem instead of clearing it up.


Judgers have their minds made up about nearly everything. Things are black and white and there is a finality to their opinions on every topic. They tend to stick to deadlines and draw lines in the sand, remaining uncompromisingly rigid.


Perceivers weigh their options and never lock themselves into a concrete answer. New information could arrive at any moment that would negate their past beliefs. They see both sides of an argument and the pros/cons of nearly every form of action. They tend to be flexible with schedules and keep the door open to new ideas.


Example

Being as clear and concise as possible, you ask, “Can you come into the office on Monday?”
As a Judger (J), there is no possible way to misinterpret this question.
As a Perceiver (P), there are several responses and interpretations:
• “Mondays are tough for me, I might not be able to make it…”
• “What time?
• “It depends on my schedule”


This is infuriating for the Judger as the answer is clearly either Yes or No. The unclear response demands a longer conversation that to the (J) is not needed. To the (P), there is simply not enough information in the question to give the right answer. The Perceiver is frustrated with this question as it forces them to make an ill-informed decision.


Compromise

At the bare minimum, let’s compromise and start out with Yes/No and then the rationale.
• “Yes, depending on the time “
• “Yes, but only after 10am”
• “No, I am out of town that day”

Relating back to “clearer and more concise communication,” the above compromise is what should be implemented. Understand the type you are communicating with and proceed accordingly.

If you are restructuring your org chart, this is going to be the most useful way to decide how teams are put together, who leads them, and who makes the decisions.

In the following short articles, I will go over the 3 other functions of the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator and dig deeper into possible workplace solutions.

To message me directly, find me on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/joe-arrigo/

Join 34 other subscribers

Corporate Communication and Personality Type (MBTI)

Communication, according to corporate consultants, is the #1 factor for any and all issues within the workplace. And they would be correct. However, the solutions that are typically employed are unable to solve the underlying issue– personality type amongst colleagues.

The 3 solutions implemented are:

  1. Increased communication, even “over communication”
  2. Clearer and more concise communication
  3. CC’ing a superior to accelerate response times

You can pick and choose the cases where these methods were effective, but an alternative may have longer lasting results.


Myers-Briggs Type Indicator

Most are familiar with the Myers-Briggs Assessment that breaks down everyone into 1 of 16 personality types, designated by a 4-letter acronym (ex. ESFP, ENTJ, ISTJ, etc.). Each letter has a distinct opposite, as follows:


• E vs I (extroversion vs introversion)
• N vs T (intuition vs thinking)
• T vs F (thinking vs feeling)
• J vs P (judging vs perceiving)

The focus here is on the Judging vs Perceiving function that I believe is where most communication breaks down. Therefore, an increase in communication only exacerbates the problem instead of clearing it up.


Judgers have their minds made up about nearly everything. Things are black and white and there is a finality to their opinions on every topic. They tend to stick to deadlines and draw lines in the sand, remaining uncompromisingly rigid.


Perceivers weigh their options and never lock themselves into a concrete answer. New information could arrive at any moment that would negate their past beliefs. They see both sides of an argument and the pros/cons of nearly every form of action. They tend to be flexible with schedules and keep the door open to new ideas.


Example

Being as clear and concise as possible, you ask, “Can you come into the office on Monday?”
As a Judger (J), there is no possible way to misinterpret this question.
As a Perceiver (P), there are several responses and interpretations:
• “Mondays are tough for me, I might not be able to make it…”
• “What time?
• “It depends on my schedule”


This is infuriating for the Judger as the answer is clearly either Yes or No. The unclear response demands a longer conversation that to the (J) is not needed. To the (P), there is simply not enough information in the question to give the right answer. The Perceiver is frustrated with this question as it forces them to make an ill-informed decision.


Compromise

At the bare minimum, let’s compromise and start out with Yes/No and then the rationale.
• “Yes, depending on the time “
• “Yes, but only after 10am”
• “No, I am out of town that day”

Relating back to “clearer and more concise communication,” the above compromise is what should be implemented. Understand the type you are communicating with and proceed accordingly.

If you are restructuring your org chart, this is going to be the most useful way to decide how teams are put together, who leads them, and who makes the decisions.

In the following short articles, I will go over the 3 other functions of the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator and dig deeper into possible workplace solutions.

To message me directly, find me on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/joe-arrigo/

Join 34 other subscribers
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