Myers-Briggs Type Indicator of Self-Evaluation - Thesis Example

ID Number & Self-Evaluation-Who Am I, How Do I Change Based on the theory of C.G. Jung’s psychological types, the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) is often used in assessing a person’s ability to socialize and communicate with other people, ability to absorb and interpret information received from different senses, ability to think and control emotional disturbances when making important decision, and their ability to control judgment and perception while dealing with other people (Quenk 2). Based on these eight personality features, Myers-Briggs indicator can be use in analyzing the patterns of human behaviour (Pittenger; Berens 2). A combination of Myers-Briggs result can be used in determining the personality types of each person. For example, ESTJ suggests that a person is extroverted, sensing, thinking, and judging. It means that the person is capable of performing the task of a manager because this person is capable of making logical decisions and can easily analyze and adjust within a new working environment. On the other hand, ISJF suggests that a person is introverted, sensing, judging, and feeling. Since this type of personality and traits is more on conscientious side and is helpful and considerate, it means that the person is a good member of a team (Schermerhorn 345). (See Figure I – Summary of the Myers-Briggs Personality on page 2) Figure I – Summary of the MYERS-BRIGGS Personality and Traits Extraversion (E) vs. Introversion (I) Social interaction: whether a person is outgoing and sociable or shy and quiet Sensing (S) vs. Intuition (N) Gathering data: whether a person is focus on details or on a big picture when dealing with problems Thinking (T) vs. Feeling (F) Decision-making: whether a person rely on logic or emotions when solving problems Judging (J) vs. Perceiving (P) Working style: whether a person prefers to receive order and control or acts w/ flexibility and spontaneity. Source: Schermerhorn The main purpose of this study is to self-evaluate my own personality by completing the Myers-Briggs personality / temperament (inventory) assessment. Based on the Myers-Briggs test result, this study will purposely describe myself using the first five adjectives that will come to my mind as I think about myself. After encouraging a close friend to provide the first five adjectives that can describe my personality, this study will compare and contrast the five adjectives that were provided by my friend in comparison to the first five adjectives that has come to my mind after completing the Myers-Briggs temperament inventory test. Discussion about the Myers-Briggs Personality / Temperament Assessment Result Presented on page 3 Figure II is the summary of my Myers-Briggs test result. Based on this particular personality / temperament test, my personality type is “closest to INTP and INFP” (Team Technology). In most cases, people with INTP type of personality have a strong set of principles that guides them in their decision-making. Aside from having a strong interest on analyzing theoretical models, people with INTP type of personality are also interested in rationalizing the explanations behind a given theory. Although people with this type of personality are open in hearing what other people has to say, it is common for this type of personality to re-examine a concept before believing whether or not a statement is logically correct. This makes people with INTP type of personality able to solve difficult problems. (See Appendix I – Myers-Briggs Questionnaire and Test Result on page 7) Figure II – MYERS-BRIGGS Test Result ISTJ 53% ISFJ 53% INFJ 60% INTJ 60% ISTP 71% ISFP 71% INFP 74% INTP 74% ESTP 56% ESFP 56% ENFP 63% ENTP 63% ESTJ 42% ESFJ 42% ENFJ 45% ENTJ 45% Source: Team Technology In relation to the Myers-Briggs test result, the first five (5) adjectives that came to my mind include: (1) attentive; (2) sympathetic; (3) reasonable; (4) rational; and (5) sensible. Based on the Myers-Briggs personality / temperament inventory, INFP stands for introversion, intuition, feeling, and perceiving whereas INTP stands for introversion, intuition, thinking, and judging. Considering my personality based on the Myers-Briggs classification, my being attentive and sympathetic person is most likely to be influenced by Perceiving (P), Feeling (F). and Intuition (I). It means that I have the ability to be open to new ideas and feel other people’s emotions and sentiments before I come up with a decision. Although I have the tenacity to make decisions based on intuition and feelings, the Myers-Briggs test result also suggest that I can be logical and objective when I make a decision (i.e. Thinking (T)). In other words, I do have a strong analytical mind. This justifies the adjectives I used as being reasonable, rational, and sensible. After coming up with my own five (5) adjectives which I think clearly describe my own personality type, I called one of my closes friend for a casual interview with regards to how he see me as a person. After interviewing one of my close friends, he told me that the five (5) adjectives that accurately describe my personality include: (1) understanding; (2) observant; (3) smart; (4) logical; and (5) fair. Specifically these five (5) adjectives that one of my closest friend has provided me also reflects what the Myers-Briggs inventory has mentioned with regards to my own personality. Basically, being understanding can be traced back to Perceiving (P). It means that I can be flexible and able to easily adapt to a new situation. It also pertains to Feeling (F) which means that I am capable of perceiving how other people would feel after I make certain decisions or actions. Being observant is rooted to introversion (I). By being quiet and having a peace of mind when I am alone, I tend to use more of my time observing the attitude and behavior of other people. The other three (3) adjectives (i.e. smart, logical, and fair) is actually an end-product of INFP and INTP. Since I have a very strong thinking and feeling abilities, I tend to make a logical and smart choice in life which often times is fair to everyone around me. With regards to the comparison between the adjectives that I have given to myself and the ones that was provided to me by my friend, I can say that although we were able to come up with different adjectives that clearly describe my own personality, all these adjectives are all interrelated to one another. It means that all the adjectives that I have presented on this paper are all related to the INTP and INFP personality types that I was able to obtain out of completing the Myers-Briggs Questionnaire. Because of my unique set of personality, I am capable of dealing with other people without causing some unnecessary conflicts with my clients. Since I excel in running my own law firm, I get the chance to travel a lot to different countries. Considering all the adjectives I have collected in this study combined with the Myers- Briggs test result, I describe myself as someone who is capable of making a logical and rational decision that will benefit me and my family in the end. Since I am capable of feeling or perceiving what other people would feel after I make certain decisions, I usually end-up in a win-win situation for me and my clients. Therefore, there are some occasions wherein I would end up building a close business relationship not only to my clients but also to some of their family members and friends. Each person has different socio-economic status, race and ethnic background, and personality. Therefore, it is unlikely for me to be able to satisfy the specific needs and wants of my clients without undergoing some misunderstandings. I am a 42-year old White American male with some Hispanic background. I manage my own law firm for the past eight (8) years. During the first three (3) months since I opened a law firm, I remember one incidence wherein I met a client who hired my legal service to solve a case related to Estafa. During the negotiation process, we came to an agreement that he would pay certain amount of money on a specific period of time. However, after I made him win the case, he run-off without paying my fees. Back then, I had so many bills to pay. Since I was entirely new in the business when this incident happened, I was not able to control my anger. Instead of allowing my rational side to rule me in my decision making, I ended up being ruled by my negative emotions. As a result, I ended up unconsciously being cold to my wife. For some time, it affected my relationship with my family members until one of my close friends called my attention and made me realize that I have been very harsh not only to my wife but also to my kids. To save our marriage, I decided to change my attitude and priorities in life. Instead of allowing my temper to control my actions, I have learned to control my emotions and allow my rational side to flow before I make certain actions. To determine the relationship between feedback and self-disclosure, Joe Luft and Harry Ingram developed the model of Johari’s window which is represented by four quadrants known as the public self, blind self, private self, and the unknown (Clements and Jones 218 – 219). Under this model, it was explained that there are some areas in our own personality that we failed to realize and that other people could help us realize our blind-self. Therefore, listening to what my friend see me as a person is necessary to improve myself as a person. Perhaps, my previous experience with a client made me able to develop the INFP and INTP personality. Today, I am already enjoying the fruits of having from this type of personality. Therefore, I am planning to stay the same and not change anything with regards to my personality inventory. Appendix I – MYERS-BRIGGS Questionnaire and Test Result Source: Team Technology, 2012c Source: Team Technology References Berens, Linda V. Understanding Yourself and Others: An Introduction to the 4 Temperaments 3.0. California: Telos Publications, 2006. Print. Clements, Phil and John Jones. The Diversity Training Handbook: A Practical Guide to Understanding and Changing Attitudes. 3rd Edition. London, UK: Kogan Page, 2008. Pittenger, David J. "Cautionary Comments Regarding the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator." Consulting Psychology Journal: Practice and Research 57.3 (2005): 210-21. Print. Quenk, Naomi L. Essentials of Myers-Briggs Type Indicator Assessment. 2nd Edition. New Jersey: John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 2009. Print. Schermerhorn, John R. Management. Massachusetts: John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 2011. Print. Team Technology. “Myers Briggs® Compendium.” Team Technology. 2012. Web. 27 October 2012 . Read More