Personality tests, such as the Myers–Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI), can give great insight into your unique traits and how they influence your work habits. It can help you understand how you solve problems, what motivates you and the conditions you perform best under.
Your MBTI is made up of four key parts:
Energy Style
Cognitive Style
Values Style
Self-management Style
Below, we break down each component into two types and explain how each type impacts your overall work style.
Energy Style
Extroverts: are energized by other people and the world around them
At work, extroverts…
Like to collaborate with others on a team
Often think out loud when brainstorming
Like to share their ideas with coworkers
Enjoy speaking in a presentation-like setting
Become drained or lose motivation when having to work alone
Introverts: are energized by quiet time alone
At work, introverts…
Like to work in quiet spaces where they can concentrate
Prefer to brainstorm on their own before sharing their ideas with others
Tend to better focus on projects that require a deep understanding
Become drained when having to speak publicly or with many people
Cognitive Style
Sensors: Thing about things in a practical and factual way
At work, sensors…
Tend to focus on facts and details
Rely on knowledge and previous experience when making decisions
Often enjoy hands-on work rather than working with concepts and ideas
iNtuitives: Think about things in an abstract and imaginative way
At work, iNtuitives…
Tend to focus on theories, ideas and concepts
Like to look for brand new solutions to problems
Are “big picture” type of people
Typically don't enjoy routine work where they don't have the opportunity to be innovative and creative
Values Style
Thinkers: Value objectivity and logic
At work, Thinkers…
Prefer to make decisions based on reason and logic
Be focused on the project itself rather than the people involved
May be more competitive than cooperative
Typically believe emotions and personal issues should be left out of the workplace
Feelers: Value empathy and personal relationships
At work, Feelers:
Value relationships and service to others
Often want to do work that reflects their values and makes the world a better place
Typically put the task secondary to creating a strong team
Desire a workplace that is personable, where everyone feels supported and appreciated
Self-management Style
Judgers: Like to be organized and plan ahead
At work, Judgers:
Appreciate order and structure
Like to plan ahead and not deviate from that plan
Stick to schedules and deliver on deadlines
Often will not thrive in unpredictable workplaces subject to constant change
Perceivers: Like to be flexible and spontaneous
At work, Perceivers…
Appreciate flexibility and like the freedom to adapt and change
Prefer not to plan, like to work when inspiration strikes
Feel limited by schedules and deadlines
May struggle delivering on deadlines but will excel in unpredictable situations
After taking the MBTI test, you will see your four-letter code and the percentage breakdown based on your answers. For example, you may be an INTP meaning you are an introvert, iNtuitive, thinker and perceiver. Your percentage breakdown will indicate how much you lean towards one end of the spectrum. For many, they are never 100% extroverted or 100% introverted but rather somewhere in between. That’s why you may feel like you don’t completely identify with all of the traits listed under one of your style types.
By understanding where your tendencies lie for each style, you can gain a better understanding of what career path best suits you and how you best operate in the workplace. You can recognize your strengths and weaknesses, which can help you better communicate, collaborate and perform at work.
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