Thursday, January 20, 2011

In The Maze of the Minds

In the course of my MBA study, I had the chance to sit for the MBTI test. What is MBTI test? It is a short name for Myers-Briggs Type Indicator. MBTI is a set of psychometric questionnaire that assess an individual psychological preferences. There is no right or wrong in the answers. There are 16 types of personalities and by answering the questionnaires, an individual will be able to understand more about oneself. Although there are many free personality test, MBTI is a test that is administered by a certified practitioner. In the MBA program, we've gone through two semester that is using MBTI as a key input. First, in the Organisational Behaviour and second, in the Managerial Effectiveness.

Why understanding personalities is very important? First, in order to understand other, we have to understand oneself first. Second, by understanding what make oneself ticks and what make the other ticks, will eventually bring us to an equilibrium point that will ensure the relationship ( be it working relationship, friendship, personal commitment) is in a constant harmony. And even, if there are glitches, the effect is temporary, as both parties are able to find solution that is working for both parties. It is not only important in maintaining a harmony relationship but it is also a key input in identifying the preferred learning style as well as determining the job that suits you the most. As by identifying what are your preferences, you can actually be in the career that utilize your strengths the most.

This study of temperament is not new, Socrates has studied this thousands of years ago. David Keirsey and other renowned researchers have also popularized the Four Temperaments theory. Florence Littaeur wrote an impressive book titled 'Personality Plus' about the four types of temperament: Choleric, Melancholy, Sanguine, and Phlegmatic.

Retracting to MBTI, The MBTI assists a person to identify the four main areas of preferences: how do you use your energy, how do you acquire information, how do you make decision, and what type of environment do you prefer. If I am to write a lengthy discussion on the steps, I will be writing a literature review altogether :). The information found on this website is a good summation of what MBTI is about http://www.personalitytype.com/ and there is a fairly reliable free online test from http://www.mypersonality.info .

In the real life, there are many conflicts arising from a trivial issue such as misunderstanding each other. There are also cases, where a person who is not in touch with one's own belief system ended being miserable in the entire life by choosing the wrong companion, tied in the wrong job, and worst; thinking that oneself is a damaged good. Thus, understanding what is one's preference style will help in many areas. In some companies, the employees in a work group share their profiling with each other. This will help them to know each other better and therefore work together better.

So, maybe, just maybe, that you are curious about this, just take the free on-line test. Find out about which personality type are you. Embrace the beauty, welcoming the good and the bad together. And don't be shy to share it with others. There is no right or wrong. And certainly, there is no personality type that is superior than the other. It is just who we are, and we will realize that we are complementing each other to make the world a better place.

My Jungian Personality Type is:
"INTJs are introspective, analytical, determined persons with natural leadership ability. Being reserved, they prefer to stay in the background while leading. Strategic, knowledgable and adaptable, INTJs are talented in bringing ideas from conception to reality. They expect perfection from themselves as well as others and are comfortable with the leadership of another so long as they are competent. INTJs can also be described as decisive, open-minded, self-confident, attentive, theoretical and pragmatic."

Click to view my Personality Profile page

2 comments:

Miss Cha said...

When I tried to register for the test, I was told the email exist. That I actually had gone through the test in 2007! Seriously I didnt recall as I use the one we have personality plus which is for non technical person like me understands haha

PuteriSha said...

The result is still the same right? I think this is the most nearly accurate online personality profiling test so far.
I have taken the actual administered MBTI test. And the result of this online test is the same as the real MBTI test ;-)