Teamwork: Know, Share, and Leverage the Power of Personality

Have you ever wondered why someone did, decide, or say something you won’t have? Personality has a tremendous influence on how we take in data, process it, draw conclusions and interact with our world. When you understand the power of personality, you will have greater insights into how you and others think, decide, and do.

I encourage everyone to explore their natural tendencies through the Myers-Briggs Personality Assessment and find out which personality type best describes him or her. There are 16 primary types that explain why people tend to think and behave the way they do.

ESFP: Enthusiastic Improviser

ISFJ: Practical Helper

ESTP: Energetic Problem-solver

INFJ: Insightful Visionary

ENTP: Enterprising Explorer

ISTJ: Responsible Realist

ESFJ: Supporter Contributor

ISFP: Versatile Supporter

ENFJ: Compassionate Facilitator

INTP: Objective Analyst

ENFP: Imaginative Motivator

INTJ: Conceptual Planner

ESTJ: Efficient Organizer

INFP: Thoughtful Idealist

ENTJ: Decisive Strategist

ISTP: Logical Pragmatist

Regardless of your personality preferences, you have a choice to act in ways you believe will help you succeed in any relationship and environment. Yet, without stress or external influences, we all have a natural way of expressing ourselves.

No personality type is better or worse, because they all bring value to solving problems and growing a business. If each team member understands who they are and others on their team, they can intentionally leverage the power of personality to win. If you want to bring the power of Myers-Briggs to your office, let’s discuss a workshop that can unleash the power of personality among your teams.

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About the Author: Sandra Dillon is a professional coach with an extensive background in leadership and business consulting. She administers DISC® and Myers-Briggs/MBTI® testing, designs and facilitates workshops, and coaches both individuals and teams. She has a passion to help people be the best versions of themselves. You can learn more about Sandra by reaching out to her at coach.sandra.dillon@gmail.com or by visiting her website at www.shinecrossings.com

When to Choose Myers-Briggs vs. DISC

Perhaps you’re ready to learn more about what motivates you, how you naturally show up to others, and why you experience the emotions you do. Two of the most common preference tests available are the Myers-Briggs (MBTI) and DISC. Even if you’re familiar with what each measures, you may question which one is best for your situation.

Both tests measure specific innate preferences, while acknowledging that people can and do choose behaviors different to their preferences because of external pressures and factored outcomes. However, when people are free to choose without constraints, they act in predictable ways. Awareness of your personality attributes and behavioral preferences are useful for career and job selection, team-building, and leadership.

D-I-S-C

The DISC personality profile is a two-dimensional behavioral assessment best suited for those who are starting to learn more about themselves and how they naturally show up to others. As a logical first step, it measures how out-going (faster paced) versus reserved (slower paced) you prefer to be as well as whether your engagement is more task- versus people-oriented. Your survey answers report both your natural tendencies and how much you adjust those preferences based on your environment.

The advanced reports highlight useful strategies in working with and leading people who are not of similar types and the pitfalls of overusing your preferences. DISC gives you a framework on how to understand others and self-adjust your behaviors to maximize connection and ultimately results.

Myers-Briggs

The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator is a more complex preference model with two levels of self-understanding. Step I focuses on the macro view of four personality types which are (1) introversion – extroversion, (2) sensing – intuitive, (3) thinking – feeling, and (4) judging – perceiving. With 16 possible personality type combinations, there is more to unpack and more depth analysis as compared to DISC.

Step II takes Step I to a deeper level by exploring 5 facets under each of the 4 trait combinations. For those looking for rich and complex insights into their personal preferences, Step II provides that insight. Myers-Briggs is a powerful resource for personal reflection and on how to collaborate with others of different types to drive results.

Why DISC or Myers-Briggs?

Today’s workplace is abuzz with Diversity & Inclusion (D&I). Although most people think of age, sex, and ethnicity as the areas to focus their D&I efforts, the more savvy work cultures realize that diversity and inclusion also capture differences in personality types. Inclusion integrates and celebrates the different contributions of those who prefer extroversion, introversion, sensing, intuition, thinking, feeling, etc. Step into inclusion by taking a DISC or Myers Briggs preference assessment.

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About the Author: Sandra Dillon is a professional coach with an extensive background in leadership and business coaching. She administers DISC® and Myers-Briggs/MBTI® testing, designs and facilitates workshops, and coaches both individuals and teams. She has a passion to help people be the best versions of themselves. You can learn more about Sandra or engage her as your coach by reaching out to her at coach.sandra.dillon@gmail.com or by visiting her website at www.shinecrossings.com

Why You Should Take the Myers-Briggs Preference Test

You may have heard people share their Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) 4-letter code and wondered (1) what would it measure about me and (2) how could I use the information. MBTI measures how a person prefers to (1) take in or gather information, (2) make decisions and come to conclusions, (3) direct and receive energy, and (4) organize and approach the world. Although people routinely choose behaviors opposite of their natural preferences, knowledge of preferences can explain the source of personal satisfaction and discord among colleagues and family. The power of preferences allows people to make more informed choices.

What Does MBTI Measure?

MBTI measures aspects of your core personality and how you are naturally wired, independent of your circumstances and environment. With four pairs of opposite dimensions, there are a total of 16 personality combinations. The four opposing personality traits are:

Extroversion (E) – Introversion (I)

[where you get your energy]

Sensing (S) – Intuition (N)

[how you take in information]

Thinking (T) – Feeling (F)

[how you make decisions]

Judging (J) – Perceiving (P)

[how you approach your world]

These four dimensions are used to create your 4-letter preference code. MBTI is a reliable and valid instrument where 2/3 of all people have the same letter designation when they retake it more than once. [Note: I have taken the MBTI in my 20’s, 30’s, 40’s, and 50’s and self-validated as an ENTJ each time.]

How Would I Use My Results?

People use their MTBI results to improve individual performance as well as to work more collaboratively in teams. MBTI can be helpful in a variety of life situations:

• Work Style
• Decision-Making
• Reaction to Stress
• Communication Style
• Leadership Style
• Approach to Change
• Team Style
• Conflict Style
• Career Preferences

With greater self-awareness and understanding of your personal preferences you can:

• Improve communication and teamwork as you gain awareness of the personality differences you see in others
• Work more effectively with those who may approach problems and decisions very differently than you
• Navigate your work and personal relationships with more insight and effectiveness
• Understand your preference for learning and work cultures and the activities and work you most enjoy
• More successfully manage every day conflicts and stresses that work and life can bring
• Achieve greater satisfaction by choosing a job or career that aligns with your preferences

How Can I Learn My Results?

A Certified Myers-Briggs® Administrator can send you a link to take an online survey after determining what report would be of most interest. After you take a 20- to 30-minute survey, the administrator will receive your results, schedule a coaching session to unpack your report, and help you determine how you might want to apply the knowledge.

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About the Author: Sandra Dillon is a professional coach with an extensive background in leadership and business coaching. She administers DISC® and Myers-Briggs® testing, designs and facilitates workshops, and coaches both individuals and teams. She has a passion to help people be the best versions of themselves. You can learn more about Sandra by visiting her website at www.shinecrossings.com or by reaching out to her at coach.sandra.dillon@gmail.com