MBTI and Communication: A Guide to the Sixteen Types Diane Loud Senior Manager, Organizational Effectiveness

ISTJ Straightforward, practical, logical Independent, self-sufficient Focused on facts, details and results Take time to consider and weigh information before deciding Want to hear: Exactly what’s expected of them Clear feedback and step-by-step procedures Detailed facts and information relevant to the situation Dislike small talk and may not work towards developing rapport Communication tips for the ISTJ: Balance your task-focused approach with the need to connect with others and establish rapport Check how others are feeling, especially when giving feedback Be open to new ideas and possibilities Summarize information and relate it to the bigger picture Avoid coming across as blunt, personal and detached---be willing to express your feelings and share your viewpoint

ISFJ Unassuming, helpful, sensitive Collaborative, work behind the scenes to achieve team goals Considerate of the needs and situations of others Take time to consider the situation carefully before making a decision Want to hear: Positive feedback and appreciation for their contributions Clear expectations, roles and responsibilities Details and in-depth explanations Uncomfortable with conflict and will usually keep negative feelings to themselves Communication tips for the ISFJ: Express yourself directly and say no when it’s unrealistic for you to take on more responsibilities Remember that too many details can overwhelm some people Be careful not to personalize feedback Use active listening skills and strive to understand rather than respond personally to situations Be open to new ideas and possibilities Share your accomplishments with others and promote your perspective and ideas

ESTP Convincing, direct, straightforward and matter-of-fact Adaptable, resourceful, like to take action Focused on the facts and details of the immediate situation Analytical and practical: seek to understand how and why things work What they want to hear: To-the-point, practical information Minimal direction Less abstraction and theory More likely to evaluate themselves than rely on external feedback Communication tips for the ESTP: Balance your practical, task-focused approach with the needs and situations of the people involved Avoid coming across as blunt, detached or impersonal Take time to work out conflicts and deal with personal issues at work Be willing to look at root causes of problems in addition to immediate fixes Balance corrective feedback with positive feedback, particularly when working with Feeling types

ESFP Friendly, outgoing, tactful, positive In tune with people’s needs and feelings; able to develop rapport Consider practical options to solve immediate problems; use common sense What they want to hear: Minimal direction Less abstraction and theory Practical information to take immediate action Help others come to consensus through cooperation, negotiation and compromise Communication tips for the ESFP: Accommodate others by making concrete goals and plans and sticking to them Be willing to broaden your perspectives to include logical and long-term implications Help others understand the practical and flexible side of problem-solving Deal with causes of problems to resolve complex issues Take time to accept constructive feedback without personalizing it

INTJ Calm, decisive, task-oriented Effective as well as efficient Future and idea-focused Quiet, reserved, somewhat detached; need time alone to conceptualize Offer advice and solutions What they want to hear: A thorough explanation of how and why things work Long-tem implications and strategic plans Input from others mostly in the formative stage of their plan More task-oriented than people-oriented Communication tips for the INTJ: Share your thoughts with others and incorporate feedback early in your process When explaining your ideas, provide concrete, practical links to current realities Balance corrective feedback with positive feedback Avoid coming across as blunt, detached or impersonal Take time to work out conflicts and deal with personal issues at work

INFJ Quietly supportive and encouraging Seek harmony and connections Organize people and resources to get the job done in a personal and caring way Strive to meet their own high standards What they want to hear: Long-term possibilities Connections and common ground Collaboration, cooperation and accommodation Have difficulty giving or receiving negative feedback Communication tips for the INFJ: Focus on meeting your needs as well as the needs of others Carefully balance time spent with others with time to reflect Present information in a sequential and logical order and show pros/cons Explain your thoughts in practical language rather than abstract language Don’t avoid giving or receiving corrective feedback

ENTP Persuasive and convincing when championing ideas Future-focused, change-oriented systems thinkers Use logical analysis to determine root causes of problems Think outside the box What they want to hear: How and why things work Questions and debates Possibilities, ideas and theories No direct commands or specific instructions Will provide constructive feedback in a concise and to-the-point manner Communication tips for the ENTP: Remember that not everyone is comfortable critiquing and debating ideas Balance abstract, conceptual approach with the personal needs and situations of others Be willing to look at and discuss details, short-term implications and practical realities Balance corrective feedback with positive feedback, particularly with Feeling types Be decisive and consistent when working with those who seek to find closure and take action

ENFP Outgoing, optimistic, genuine Energetically and enthusiastically encourage and persuade others Enjoy collaboration, cooperation and the sharing of ideas Focused on relationships What they want to hear: People’s experiences, thoughts, feelings, viewpoints and ideas General guidelines and information; not specific directions or commands Collaborative language focusing on teamwork and individual contributions Sensitive to issues of working relationships and morale Communication tips for the ENFP: Learn when to back off from discussing personal matters Avoid becoming distracted and overly influenced by people’s stories and needs Be practical and logical as well as personal and inspired Be open to giving and receiving constructive feedback and don’t take it personally Be sure to follow through and finish tasks

ISTP Easygoing, tolerant and informed Observant of details and realities Examine and evaluate data using logical analysis Would rather be taking action than taking time to explain their plan What they want to hear: How and why things work Logical reasoning, objective and impersonal observations Practical facts and details about the immediate situation Challenge accepted ways of doing things if they are not efficient Communication tips for the ISTP: Avoid coming across as blunt, detached or impersonal Balance your practical, task-focused approach with the needs and situations of the people involved Take time to work out conflicts and deal with personal issues at work Show that you are supportive of others and offer positive feedback Balance corrective feedback with positive feedback, particularly when working with Feeling types

INTP Open-ended, logical, analytical Focused on exploring possibilities Systems thinkers; see and create complex models and frameworks Highlight cause-and-effect relationships, spot inconsistencies and analyze flaws Comfortable with ambiguity and complexity What they want to hear: New information and ideas with time to reflect and analyze implications Global goals and ideas rather than specific plans or procedures Precision of thought May avoid interpersonal conflict rather than work it out Communication tips for the INTP: Avoid coming across as blunt, detached or impersonal Balance your logical, conceptual approach with the needs and situations of the people involved Be willing to look at details, short-term implications and the practical realities of a situation Balance corrective feedback with positive feedback, particularly with Feeling types Be willing to make decisions and follow through by implementing your ideas

ESTJ Matter-of-fact, results-oriented and focused on completing the task at hand Take control of projects and keep things on track Seek or create structure, clear rules, standards and expectations Quick to question ideas and facts What they want to hear: Concrete, specific facts and details Logical, sequential, practical information Accurate and precise data from reliable sources Seek competent coworkers and prefer clearly defined levels of supervision Communication tips for the ESTJ: Learn to say no to additional roles Accept change and uncertainty as a reality and incorporate them into your plans Develop rapport and build relationships with your coworkers Be accepting when procedures are modified as long as standards aren’t affected Have patience with other work and communication styles

ENTJ Independent, decisive problem solvers who prefer to be in control of their situation Logically and efficiently organize and streamline systems and processes Intolerant of incompetence, dependency and wasted effort What they want to hear: Clear expectations, and then allow them to control the situation Long-range goals and planning Credible information from a knowledgeable source Value team contributions if team is focused and working towards a goal Communication tips for the ENTJ: Other types may want to accomplish tasks more through collaboration and cooperation than being directed Be careful to listen to all information and consider new possibilities before making a decision Consider situational and personal factors as well as logical ones Balance corrective feedback with positive feedback, particularly with Feeling types Have patience with other work and communication styles

ISFP Quiet, calm, observant listeners Take thoughtful, immediate action to help others solve problems Prefer freedom and dislike being hampered by too much structure and too many constrictive rules What they want to hear: Practical, factual, detailed information Clear expectations Acknowledgement of their need to think about and work on tasks Quick to focus on the needs of others and may not focus on their own needs Communication tips for the ISFP: Say no when it is unrealistic for you to take on additional responsibilities Be willing to broaden your perspectives to include the logical and long-term implications Express yourself directly Offer constructive feedback to others and be careful not to personalize constructive feedback you receive Deal with interpersonal issues and conflicts

INFP Kind, encouraging and helpful Focused on people, ideas and possibilities Future-focused, adaptable, creative problem solvers Explore options and find innovative, long-term solutions What they want to hear: Personal stories, especially of inspiration Calm, quiet time to reflect and work on tasks in an unstructured way Communications that are less rule-bound, structured or detailed Find it hard to listen to critical feedback and can take it personally Communication tips for the INFP: Focus on meeting your needs as well as the needs of others Set and define your limitations and avoid taking responsibility for other people’s roles Share your accomplishments, perspectives and ideas with others Learn to accept and give constructive feedback and be careful not to personalize feedback Deal with conflict and interpersonal issues directly

ESFJ Personal, outgoing, helpful Responsible, dependable and conscientious Manage time and tasks to accomplish goals in a positive and organized way Comfortable with routines and structure What they want to hear: Clear and specific instructions Up-to-date information Well-defined expectations, tasks and deadlines Give more positive than constructive feedback and tend to personalize feedback Communication tips for the ESFJ: Avoid becoming overcommitted; balance your needs with those of others Accept individual needs and values that are different from the norm Giving and receiving constructive feedback may be difficult for you, but can help you and others be more productive Assess when it is necessary to confront issues and conflict Learn to value the broader, longer-term approaches of others

ENFJ Communication tips for the ENFJ: Compassionate, enthusiastic, encouraging Imagine new options and possibilities Combine vision, strategic planning and task-orientation Collaborative and cooperative What they want to hear: Discussions about and sharing of personal values and ideas Opportunities for everyone to collaborate, contribute and use their skills Vision and possibilities for people Can take constructive feedback personally Communication tips for the ENFJ: Learn to balance idealism with practicality and create realistic expectations of yourself and others Explain your thoughts in practical language Be careful not to personalize the constructive feedback you receive It may not be possible or necessary to resolve all conflicts in the workplace Balance the needs of people with business deadlines, logistics and practical situations