Personality-Based Decision-Making Styles Kathleen E. High, M.Ed., GCDFI Dream Chasers & Goal Setters

Decision-Making Styles Based on Myers-Briggs (MBTI) Review MBTI: Four sets of preferences: Extravert [E] / Introvert [I] Sensing [S] / iNtuition [N] Thinking [T] / Feeling [F] Judging [J] / Perceiving [P]

Style: Based On Outer Letters There are four decision-making styles Based on outer letters: Extraverted / Judging EJ Extraverted / Perceiving EP Introverted / Judging IJ Introverted / Perceiving IP

Extraverted Judging [EJ] Mountain Climber "I want to decide and then get on with it." Pick out a specific peak to climb and then proceed toward their goal. Put choosing a major on their "to do" list soon after reaching college Seek career counseling early, hoping to declare a major before the firs semester ends Tend to do well, unless chosen too soon – Then too impatient to start over when in trouble

Extraverted Perceiving [EP] Bungee Jumper “I want to experience it all.” A decision is a point of departure, a jumping off place, not a final stop. Deciding tends to be an ongoing process Often decide by trial and error They typically want, and try, to do it all Changing their mind helps to reassure them that they still have options open May sometimes feel they have too many options and don't know how to choose among them. Often talking about trying out a new major is how they decide Tend to stress-out “J-type” parents

Introverted Judging [IJ] Computers “I want to be sure” All relevant data go in, processed carefully, and a decision comes out Research and reflect before deciding Consult books and other written resources Information is carefully considered Once decision is made, it tends to be final Think alone, then announce Tend to surprise people when decision is announced

Introverted Perceiving [IP] Wanderers "I wonder what I'll want to be when I grow up.“ A career path is a never-ending quest for more knowledge, facts, or inspiration. Want to delay a decision about a major until they can consider all options Process decisions at their own pace Often need push from outside to make a decision Must be able to tell themselves, “no decision is ever final” A struggle between input and reflection At mid-life often still asking, “What do I want to do with my life?”

Why is Decision Style Important? Should help you decide your best-fit personality type Help you recognize: How you prefer to make decisions Parts of the career decision-making process that you do well Possible blind spots/barriers in the decision- making process

Why is Decision Style Important? Parts of the career decision-making process that you do well EJ – Mountain Climbers = Set goals & follow through EP – Bungee Jumpers = Exploration phase IJ – Computers = Research & Reflect IP – Wanders = Listen to ‘inner voice’ Possible blind spots/barriers in the decision- making process Tips for overcoming those barriers: EJ – Mountain Climbers = Slow down and process EP – Bungee Jumpers = Prioritize and focus interests IJ – Computers = Try to involve people in research IP – Wanders = Remember: No decision is final

References: Ditiberio, J. K. & Hammer, A. L. (1993). Introduction To Type In College.Palo Alto, CA: CPP, Inc