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PERSONALITY
Investigating your “personality type” can be an intriguing and educational process; plus, it’s
fun! Knowing your “type”, and that of those in your life, can help you glean important insight and
understanding of yourself and others. Even more importantly, understanding your personality type
might help you gain more clarity about your purpose!
There are many “personality profiles” out there and many online quizzes you can take. The
most well respected, widely used, and scientifically studied personality profile is called the Myers
Briggs Type Inventory (MBTI). The MBTI was created by psychologists and has been used and studied
by psychologists and businesses for decades. In fact, if you’ve ever been asked to take a personality test
at your job, it was most likely the MBTI. Why would they want to know about your personality? For
exactly the same reason YOU do—because your personality type can tell them a great deal about your
natural talents, where you thrive, your strengths, and who you will (and won’t) get along with.
There are 16 MBTI Types, made up of 8 characteristics. In each segment, you are asked to
decide between 2 characteristics. Below is a brief description of the characteristics, followed by a quiz
to help you determine your Type and brief descriptions of each of the 16 Types.
This is a simplified summary of the full Myers Briggs assessment and may not be statistically
valid. If you would like further clarity, you can take the MBTI directly through Myers Briggs (for a
fee).
INTROVERT vs. EXTROVERT: how we interact with the world and where we direct and
receive energy.
Extraverts are oriented to their outer world and their attention is focused mainly outside of self.
They tend to seek other people, enjoy a lot of activity, and get their batteries charged by being with
others.
Introverts, on the other hand, are oriented to their inner world and their attention is mainly
focused inward. They need a lot of alone time, tend to have a lot of mental activity, and seek to be
alone in order to recharge.
One common misperception is that extraverts are outgoing and talkative while introverts are
shy and quiet. It can often be just the opposite. Whether you are an extrovert or introvert has more to
do with where your focus and energy resides and less to do with how you act around others.
SENSOR vs. INTUITIVE: the kind of information we naturally notice.
Sensors seek concrete information. They are attentive to what is going on around them, they
trust senses to give them accurate perception of their reality, and they tend to have a talent for
remembering facts. Intuitives are more concerned with looking for meaning, exploring possibilities,
and gleaning insights from beyond the senses. This “reading between the lines” is often seen as a 6th
sense and referred to as intuition. They often speak in metaphors.
One common misperception is that “intuitive” is referring to psychic ability; however it is
simply referring to the tendency to see and understand information that is beyond the surface of
their reality.
THINKER vs. FEELER: how we make decisions.
Thinkers tend to value logic above all else. They are good at being objective and are often quite
analytical. When making decisions, thinkers are very black and white. Feelers value being caring and
doing what’s “right” over logic. They tend to be empathetic and make decisions based on how they feel
and the feelings of others.
There is a strong gender bias in America, pushing many men to lean toward being Thinkers
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while women lean toward being Feelers. Our TRUE SELVES, however, may not be on the side that
our society’s roles have taught us to be. Be as honest with yourself as possible when determining
which of these you are. This segment is also the most common that people claim to be “tied”, and
many people cannot decide which they are. If you feel tied, ask yourself which you would LIKE to be.
Also, you can read the descriptions of BOTH and see which resonates with you more. It’s okay to
have 2 “types”.
JUDGER vs. PERCEIVER: how we like to structure our lives.
Judgers prefer a structured life and orderly environment. They prefer strongly to have things
settled, decided, and resolved rather than leaving something up in the air. They want to know what to
expect before they do something. Perceivers prefer to live spontaneously. They enjoy remaining
flexible so they can stay open to possibilities. They are more likely to be okay leaving something openended
or jumping in with little understanding of what to expect.
One common misperception is that judgers are “neat and tidy” while perceivers are “messy”.
This preference is not necessarily related strongly to the physical “structure” of one’s life, but rather
about the degree of structure and order one prefers to feel most comfortable. Perceivers feel trapped
when forced to decide, while judgers feel anxious when a decision cannot be made.
Personality and Purpose
The book Do What You Are is an excellent resource for looking further into what “careers”
tend to be enjoyed by each type and, specifically, why. After you know your Type, you can also do a
Google search for your Type and career satisfaction; for example, “CAREER FOR INFJ”.
Take a simplified MBTI profile on the following page.
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Simplified MBTI Personality Profile
Visit www.myersbriggs.org to take the official “MBTI Instrument” personality type assessment.
Q1. Extraverted (E) vs Introverted (I)
Which is your most natural energy orientation?
Extraverted Characteristics
Act first, think/reflect later
Talk more than they listen
Seek being the center of attention
Feel deprived when cutoff from interaction with
the outside world
Enjoy wide variety and change in people and
relationships
Tend to think out loud
Introverted Characteristics
Think/reflect first, then Act
Listen more than they talk
Avoid being the center of attention
Regularly require an amount of "private time"
to recharge batteries
Prefer one-to-one communication and
relationships
Tend to think things through inside their head
Choose which best fits: Extraverted (E) Introverted (I)
Q2. Sensing (S) vs Intuition (N)
Which way of perceiving or understanding is most "automatic" or natural?
Sensing Characteristics
Trust what is certain/concrete
Like new ideas if they are practical
Value common sense and realism
Like to hone established skills
Tend to be specific and literal and give detailed
descriptions
Present information in a step-by-step manner
Are oriented to the present
Intuitive Characteristics
Trust inspiration
Like new ideas for their own sake
Value imagination and innovation
Like to learn new skills and get bored after
mastering skills
Tend to be general and figurative; use
metaphors a lot
Present information in a round-about manner
Are oriented toward the future
Choose which best fits: Sensing (S) iNtuition (N)
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Q3. Thinking (T) vs Feeling (F)
Which way of forming judgments and making choices is most natural?
Thinking Characteristics
Instinctively search for facts and logic in a
decision situation
Naturally notices tasks and work to be
accomplished
Easily able to provide an objective and critical
analysis
Accept conflict as a natural, normal part of
relationships with people
Value logic, justice, and fairness: one standard
for all
Are motivated by accomplishment
Feeling Characteristics
Instinctively employ personal feelings and
impact on people in decision situations
Naturally sensitive to people’s needs and
reactions
Naturally seek consensus and popular opinions.
Unsettled by conflict; have almost a toxic
reaction to disharmony
Value empathy and harmony: see the exception
to the rule
Are motivated by appreciation
Choose which best fits: Thinking (T) Feeling (F)
Q4. Judging (J) vs Perceiving (P)
What is your "action orientation" towards the outside world and how do you structure your life?
Judging Characteristics
Like knowing what they are getting into
Focus on task-related action; complete
meaningful segments before moving on
Work best and avoid stress when able to keep
ahead of deadlines
Naturally use targets, dates and standard
routines to manage life
Are happiest after a decision has been made
Are satisfied most from finishing a project
Perceiving Characteristics
Comfortable moving into action without a plan;
plan on-the-go
Like to multitask, have variety, mix work/play
Naturally tolerant of time pressure; work best
close to the deadlines
Instinctively avoid commitments which
interfere with flexibility, freedom and variety
Are happiest leaving options open
Are satisfied most from starting a project
Choose which best fits: Judging (J) Perceiving (P)
Your 4 Personality Type Letters
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The Sixteen Types at a Glance
ISTJ: For ISTJs the dominant quality in their lives is an abiding sense of responsibility for doing what
needs to be done in the here-and-now. Their realism, organizing abilities, and command of the facts
lead to their completing tasks thoroughly and with great attention to detail. Logical pragmatists at
heart, ISTJs make decisions based on their experience and with an eye to efficiency in all things. ISTJs
are intensely committed to people and to the organizations of which they are a part; they take their
work seriously and believe others should do so as well.
ISFJ: For ISFJs the dominant quality in their lives is an abiding respect and sense of personal
responsibility for doing what needs to be done in the here-and-now. Actions that are of practical help to
others are of particular importance to ISFJs. Their realism, organizing abilities, and command of the
facts lead to their thorough attention in completing tasks. ISFJs bring an aura of quiet warmth, caring,
and dependability to all that they do; they take their work seriously and believe others should do so as
well.
INFJ: For INFJs the dominant quality in their lives is their attention to the inner world of possibilities,
ideas, and symbols. Knowing by way of insight is paramount for INFJs, and they often manifest a deep
concern for people and relationships as well. INFJs often have deep interests in creative expression as
well as issues of spirituality and human development. While the energy and attention of INFJs are
naturally drawn to the inner world of ideas and insights, what people often first encounter with INFJs is
their drive for closure and for the application of their ideas to people's concerns.
INTJ: For INTJs the dominant force in their lives is their attention to the inner world of possibilities,
symbols, abstractions, images, and thoughts. Insight in conjunction with logical analysis is the essence
of their approach to the world; they think systemically. Ideas are the substance of life for INTJs and
they have a driving need to understand, to know, and to demonstrate competence in their areas of
interest. INTJs inherently trust their insights, and with their task-orientation will work intensely to
make their visions into realities.
ISTP: For ISTPs the driving force in their lives is to understand how things and phenomena in the real
world work so they can make the best and most effective use of them. ISTPs are logical and realistic
people, and they are natural troubleshooters. When not actively solving a problem, ISTPs are quiet and
analytical observers of their environment, and they naturally look for the underlying sense to any facts
they have gathered. ISTPs do often pursue variety and even excitement in their hands-on experiences.
Although they do have a spontaneous, even playful side, what people often first encounter with them is
their detached pragmatism.
ISFP: For ISFPs the dominant quality in their lives is a deep-felt caring for living things, combined
with a quietly playful and sometimes adventurous approach to life and all its experiences. ISFPs
typically show their caring in very practical ways, since they often prefer action to words. Their
warmth and concern are generally not expressed openly, and what people often first encounter with
ISFPs is their quiet adaptability, realism, and "free spirit" spontaneity.
INFP: For INFPs the dominant quality in their lives is a deep-felt caring and idealism about people.
They experience this intense caring most often in their relationships with others, but they may also
experience it around ideas, projects, or any involvement they see as important. INFPs are often skilled
communicators, and they are naturally drawn to ideas that embody a concern for human potential.
INFPs live in the inner world of values and ideals, but what people often first encounter with the INFP
in the outer world is their adaptability and concern for possibilities.
INTP: For INTPs the driving force in their lives is to understand whatever phenomenon is the focus of
their attention. They want to make sense of the world -- as a concept -- and they often enjoy
opportunities to be creative. INTPs are logical, analytical, and detached in their approach to the world;
they naturally question and critique ideas and events as they strive for understanding. INTPs usually
have little need to control the outer world, or to bring order to it, and they often appear very flexible
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and adaptable in their lifestyle.
ESTP: For ESTPs the dominant quality in their lives is their enthusiastic attention to the outer world of
hands-on and real-life experiences. ESTPs are excited by continuous involvement in new activities and
in the pursuit of new challenges. ESTPs tend to be logical and analytical in their approach to life, and
they have an acute sense of how objects, events, and people in the world work. ESTPs are typically
energetic and adaptable realists, who prefer to experience and accept life rather than to judge or
organize it.
ESFP: For ESFPs the dominant quality in their lives is their enthusiastic attention to the outer world of
hands-on and real-life experiences. ESFPs are excited by continuous involvement in new activities and
new relationships. ESFPs also have a deep concern for people, and they show their caring in warm and
pragmatic gestures of helping. ESFPs are typically energetic and adaptable realists, who prefer to
experience and accept life rather than to judge or organize it.
ENFP: For ENFPs the dominant quality in their lives is their attention to the outer world of
possibilities; they are excited by continuous involvement in anything new, whether it be new ideas, new
people, or new activities. Though ENFPs thrive on what is possible and what is new, they also
experience a deep concern for people as well. Thus, they are especially interested in possibilities for
people. ENFPs are typically energetic, enthusiastic people who lead spontaneous and adaptable lives.
ENTP: For ENTPs the driving quality in their lives is their attention to the outer world of possibilities;
they are excited by continuous involvement in anything new, whether it be new ideas, new people, or
new activities. They look for patterns and meaning in the world, and they often have a deep need to
analyze, to understand, and to know the nature of things. ENTPs are typically energetic, enthusiastic
people who lead spontaneous and adaptable lives.
ESTJ: For ESTJs the driving force in their lives is their need to analyze and bring into logical order the
outer world of events, people, and things. ESTJs like to organize anything that comes into their domain,
and they will work energetically to complete tasks so they can quickly move from one to the next.
Sensing orients their thinking to current facts and realities, and thus gives their thinking a pragmatic
quality. ESTJs take their responsibilities seriously and believe others should do so as well.
ESFJ: For ESFJs the dominant quality in their lives is an active and intense caring about people and a
strong desire to bring harmony into their relationships. ESFJs bring an aura of warmth to all that they
do, and they naturally move into action to help others, to organize the world around them, and to get
things done. Sensing orients their feeling to current facts and realities, and thus gives their feeling a
hands-on pragmatic quality. ESFJs take their work seriously and believe others should as well.
ENFJ: For ENFJs the dominant quality in their lives is an active and intense caring about people and a
strong desire to bring harmony into their relationships. ENFJs are openly expressive and empathic
people who bring an aura of warmth to all that they do. Intuition orients their feeling to the new and to
the possible, thus ENFJs often enjoy working to manifest a humanitarian vision, or helping others
develop their potential. ENFJs naturally and conscientiously move into action to care for others, to
organize the world around them, and to get things done.
ENTJ: For ENTJs the driving force in their lives is their need to analyze and bring into logical order
the outer world of events, people, and things. ENTJs are natural leaders who build conceptual models
that serve as plans for strategic action. Intuition orients their thinking to the future, and gives their
thinking an abstract quality. ENTJs will actively pursue and direct others in the pursuit of goals they
have set, and they prefer a world that is structured and organized.