Work and Career
“A team is not a group of people who work together. A team is a group of people who trust each other”
Simon Sinek
Psychological type was developed initially to help individuals flourish but it quickly became obvious that there were workplace applications. The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator® has become one of the most popular type instruments in team development.
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This is at least partly because it helps you to realise that you are not the same as others; each of the 16 type preference combinations has characteristic motivations, ways of relating, and even ambitions and hopes. Understanding these can be transformative for a team, and for your working life.
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You can succeed in any role with any type preference combination but it really helps to know which bits of the role will feel comfortable and which will feel less comfortable, which will be as natural as breathing or as challenging as running a marathon.
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Type can help you make wise choices about your career and your place of work, too. Check out our resources for insights about work and careers here. Or find a type practitioner who can help you to reflect and grow here.
When it comes to careers, certain MBTI personality types may be more inclined toward specific types of work. However, it is crucial to approach this connection with caution. People's career choices are influenced by a wide range of factors, including their skills, interests, values, education, and life experiences, rather than solely by their MBTI type.
That said, by bringing particular preference combinations together using type theory, it is possible to hypothesise likely characteristics of each group. Here are some very generalised ideas about how these combinations might align with different career paths.
MBTI® GROUPING OF THE PREFERENCES
STs: THE PRACTICAL AND MATTER-OF-FACT TYPES
NFs: THE ENTHUSIASTIC AND INSIGHTFUL TYPES
IJs: THE DECISIVE INTROVERTS​
EPs: THE ADAPTABLE EXTRAVERTS
SJs: THE REALISTIC DECISION MAKERS
NPs: THE ADAPTABLE INNOVATORS
TJs: THE LOGICAL DECISION MAKERS
FJs: THE BENEVOLENT ADMINISTRATORS
ISs: THE THOUGHTFUL REALISTS​
ESs: THE ACTION-ORIENTED REALISTS
ETs: THE ACTION-ORIENTED THINKERS
IFs: THE REFLECTIVE HARMONISERS
SFs: THE SYMPATHETIC AND FRIENDLY TYPES
NTs: THE LOGICAL AND INGENIOUS TYPES
IPs: THE ADAPTABLE INTROVERTS
EJs: THE DECISIVE EXTRAVERTS
SPs: THE ADAPTABLE REALISTS
NJs: THE VISIONARY DECISION MAKERS
TPs: THE ADAPTABLE THINKERS​
FPs: THE GENTLE TYPES
INs: THE THOUGHTFUL INNOVATORS
ENs: THE ACTION-ORIENTED INNOVATORS
EFs: THE ACTION-ORIENTED COOPERATORS
ITs: THE REFLECTIVE REASONERS​
Remember, these are typical characteristics for each type, and individual preferences and strengths vary widely. It's also worth noting that people can develop skills and adapt to a variety of careers regardless of their MBTI type. If you're considering career choices, it is a good idea to explore your interests, strengths, and values more comprehensively and perhaps seek guidance from a certified MBTI practitioner.