1. Myers – Briggs Personality
How to decipher the “letter” combinations associated with the Myers-Briggs Personality Assessment.
The purpose of this inventory is to give you a picture of the shape of your personality preferences –
or how do you prefer to get through the day

2. Where do you focus your attention?

3. Extraverts (E)
Energy is directed primarily outward, towards people and things outside of themselves. They tend to be more naturally active, expressive, social, and interested in many things.

4. Extraversion vs. Introversion

5. Extraverts Have high energy Talk more than listen Think out loud
Act, then think
Like to be around people a lot
Prefer a public role
Can sometimes be easily distracted
Prefer to do lots of things at once
Are outgoing & enthusiastic

6. Extraversion vs. Introversion

7. Extraversion
Feels pulled outward by external claims and conditions (looks outside)
Likes to work in groups
Likes people
Energized by other people, external experiences.
Like to experience
Acts, then (maybe) reflects on actions
Leaps into actions and thinks later.
Impatient and impulsive

8. Talking with Extraverts (E)
Show energy and enthusiasm
Respond quickly without long pauses to think
Allow talking out loud without definite conclusions
Communicate openly—do not censure
Focus on the external world, the people and things

9. Introverts (I)
Energy is primarily directed inward, towards their own thoughts, perceptions, and reality. Tend to be more reserved, private, cautious, and interested in fewer interactions, but with greater depth and focus.

10. Introverts Have quiet energy Listen more than talk
Think quietly inside my mind
Think, then act
Feel comfortable being alone
Prefer to work “behind the scenes”
Have good powers of concentration
Prefer to focus on one thing at a time
Are self-contained and reserved

11. Extraversion vs. Introversion

12. Introverts Feels pushed inward by external claims and intrusions.
Likes to work quietly
Needs quiet
Energized by inner resources, internal experiences
Likes to “think”
Likes ideas
Reflects, then (maybe) acts
Understands the world before experiencing it.
Misunderstood
“loner”

13. Talking with Introverts
Include time for I’s to get to know you and trust you
Encourage responses with questions like “what do you think about ____?” but don’t overwhelm the I with too many questions
Allow time for I’s to think before responding; don’t expect immediate answers to questions (sending agendas before meetings helps)
Have more individual or one-to-one activities than group activities.
Do not assume an I is uninterested; they may just be taking time to process information

14. How do you look at things?

15. Sensing (S)
Notice the facts, details, and realities of the world around them. Tend to be practical and literal people, who trust past experience and often have good common sense.

16. Sensing Focus on details and specifics Admire practical solutions
Notice details and remember facts
Are pragmatic-see what is
Live in the here-and-now
Trust actual experience
Like to use established skills
Like step-by-step instructions
Work at a steady pace
Get anxious when things change without notice
Want things settled

17. Sensing vs. Intuition

18. Sensing Looks at specific parts and pieces.
Likes details/facts
Careful with details
Live in the present, enjoying what’s there
Likes to work in the here-and-now
Limited
Prefers handling practical matters
Realistic, concrete facts
Likes things that are definite, measurable
Starts at the beginning, takes a step at a time
Reads instructions, notices details
Likes set procedures, established routines
S’s may seem materialistic and literal-minded to N’s
Needs intuition for balance

19. Talking with Sensors Show evidence, i.e., facts, details, and examples
Be practical and realistic, and document successful applications
Have a well thought out plan with the details worked out in advance
Show how your suggestion is a continuation of what is, not a radical change
Be direct
Be orderly—show the steps involved

20. Intuition (N)
More interested in connections and relationships between facts as well as the meaning, or possibilities. Tend to be imaginative, theoretical people who trust their hunches & pride themselves on their creativity.

21. Intuitive Focus on the big picture and possibilities
Admire creative ideas
Notice anything new or different
Are inventive-see what could be
Think about future implications
Trust their gut instincts
Prefer to learn new skills
Like to figure things out for themselves
Work in bursts of energy
Like spontaneity
Get bored with the same things

22. Intuitive Looks at patterns and relationships Looks at the big picture
Lives toward the future anticipating what might be
Future is exciting
Prefer imagining possibilities
Inspiration, likes the unknown
Jumps to conclusions
Impatient with details
Likes opportunities for being inventive
Jumps in anywhere, leaps over steps
Skips directions, follows hunches
Likes change and variety
N’s may seem fickle, impractical dreamers to S’s
Need sensing for balance

23. Sensing vs. Intuition

24. Talking with Intuitives
Present global schemes, the concept—give the main idea first
Don’t give lots of details unless asked to do so
Indicate the challenges, the possibilities, and the differences your ideas with bring
Delineate the future benefits
Show the aspects that are non-routine
Be aware that work may come in bursts and spurts, not and even flow
Let N’s dream and don’t burst the bubble—encourage imagination

25. Sensing vs. Intuition

26. How do you make decisions?

27. Thinkers (T)
Make decisions based primarily on objective and impersonal criteria—what makes the most sense and what is logical. Tend to be cool, analytical, and are convinced by logical reasoning.

28. Thinkers Make decisions objectively Appear cool and reserved
Are most convinced by rational arguments
Are honest and direct
Value honesty and fairness
Take few things personally
Tend to see flaws
Are motivated by achievement
Argue or debate issues for fun

29. Thinking vs. Feeling

30. Thinkers See things as on-looker, from outside a situation
Likes logic, facts
Weighs evidence
Takes a long view
Considers facts-objective
Spontaneously finds flaws, criticizes
Good at analyzing what is wrong.
Misunderstands others
May not show feelings
Decided with the head
Goes by logic
Concerned for truth, justice

31. Talking with Thinkers Be brief and concise
Be logical and do not ramble
List the pros and cons of each alternative
Be intellectually critical and objective
Be calm and reasonable
Don’t assume feelings are unimportant—they are just valued differently
Present emotions and feelings as facts to be weighed in the decision

32. Feelers (F)
Make decisions based primarily on their personal values and how they feel about the choices. Tend to be sensitive, empathetic, and are compelled by extenuating circumstances and a constant search for harmony.

33. Feelers Decide based on their values and feelings
Appear warm and friendly
Are most convinced by how they feel
Are diplomatic and tactful
Value harmony and compassion
Take many things personally
Are quick to compliment others
Are motivated by appreciation
Avoid arguments and conflicts

34. Thinking vs. Feeling

35. Feelers Sees things as a participant, from within a situation
Sympathetic, tactful, and sensitive
Takes an immediate and personal view
Considers feelings-subjective
Spontaneously appreciates
Decisions based on values
Not logical in decisions
Sensitive to criticism
Decides with the heart
Goes by personal convictions
Intuition/feelings
Concerned for relationships, harmony

36. Talking with Feelers
Get to know the person before getting down to business
Be personable and friendly
Demonstrate empathy by presenting areas of agreement first
Show why the idea is valuable to people and how it will affect people
Be aware that F’s may have difficulty being critical and giving negative feedback
Pay close attention to the process, the way you are communicating not just what you are saying; watch the body language and nonverbal ques.

37. How do you deal with the world?

38. Judgment (J)
Prefer a structured, ordered, and fairly predictable environment, where they can make decisions and have things settled. Tend to be organized and productive.

39. Judgment Make most decisions pretty easily
Are serious and conventional
Pay attention to time and are prompt
Prefer to finish projects
Work first, play later
Want things decided
See the need for most rules
Like to make and stick with plans
Find comfort in schedules

40. Judgment Handles deadlines, plans in advance
Organized, planned
Uses day timers
J’s may seem demanding, rigid, uptight to P’s
They want things settled
Need perception for balance
Uptight, controlling, stubborn, inflexible

41. Judgment vs. Perception

42. Talking with Judgment Present a timetable and stick with it
Don’t surprise J’s; give warnings of coming changes when possible
Allow time to prepare
Show that you also accomplish things and can be counted upon to follow through
Show your achievements, your results
Take a stand, don’t be wishy-washy

43. Perceivers (P)
Prefer to experience as much of the world as possible, they like to keep their options open and are most comfortable adaption. Tend to be flexible, curious, and non-forming.

44. Percievers May have difficulty making decisions
Are playful and unconventional
Are less aware of time and run late
Prefer to start projects
Play first, work later
Want to keep their options open
Questions the need for many rules
Like to keep plans flexible
Want the freedom to be spontaneous

45. Judgment vs. Perception

46. Perceivers Meets deadlines by last minute rush Likes change
Flexible, spontaneous
P’s may seem disorganized, messy, irresponsible to J’s
Keep options open
Needs judgment or balance
Sloppy
Distracted easily
Indecisive
Doesn’t plan

47. Talking with Perceivers
Allow for things to flow, not to follow your time and action calendar
Bring in new information and ideas
Allow time fro thorough discussion; complexity is desirable
Allow for options, for changes
Encourage autonomy
Realize any change in direction is not necessarily impulsiveness