In the conclusion of our study on the Myers Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI), let us summarize what we’ve learned about the various pairings described by the MBTI by explaining the 4-letter coding the Indicator uses to describe our unique personality traits.
As you have seen, various personality traits are encoded by using letters: (Extraversion (E) or Introversion (I), Sensing (S) or Intuition (N), Thinking (T) or Feeling (F), and Judging (J) or Perceiving (P). These descriptions explain how you interact with the world, process information, make decisions, and gather information. For the purpose of relationships, your general personality can be labeled with the appropriate 4-letter code. Let us explain.
The person who usually interacts with the world by introversion, who is highly intuitive, who makes emotional decisions, and who gets information with judging can be described in this system as INFJ. This person will usually find connection in ideas and relationships. As a worker, he is organized and decisive. He tends to be committed to values and ethics, conscientious, and eager to serve the common good. He or she usually is insightful and tries to understand the motivatation behind people’s actions.
The “opposite” of INFJ is the person who can be bored by theory and prefers action. She focuses on the now and is fully present in each moment. She may prefer material comforts and she learns best with action. This person’s label is ESTP.
These labels are not intended to pigeon-hole our personalities, but instead are indended to offer understanding of how those around us interact with the world and with each other.
This understanding is highly useful in the workplace. Although a creative team made up of feeling introverts would likely have great ideas, very little would be accomplished without the addition of some thinking extroverts.
Our close relationships can benefit greatly by an understanding of these MBTI Type Indicators. Rather than becoming frustrated with a business partner’s seeming habit of daydreaming, you can instead appreciate their creativity. In a marriage, understanding your partner’s personality type allows you to respect their different ways of “being.” When you do not judge your spouse’s behavior you can learn to appreciate the benefits of their type and in what ways they may complement your own type.
As Isabell Briggs Myers said, “The understanding of Type can make your perceptions clearer, your judgments sounder, and your life closer to your heart’s desire.”
In a future post we will share about another sophisticated and very helpful way to understand personality better called the Enneagram.
Soul Wisdom Therapy offers a wide variety of ways to love closer to your heart’s – and your soul’s – desire. Do not hesitate to contact us for more information.