It is increasingly evident that better results are not achieved in companies that master only the technical aspects, but those who know how to interact with people and inspire enthusiasm for common goals. Knowing our own leadership style and that of the people who make up our team is a competitive advantage that will help us succeed in business.
In our career consulting processes, we use the MBTI as a tool to support self-knowledge, a basic and essential factor in putting together the "road map" of managerial life. The MBTI's enormous charm comes in part from its simplicity. The MBTI's more than 100 questions rate personality almost too well. Like a miracle diet or quick fix to save a marriage, the MBTI has encouraged some enthusiasts by making them assume that the test remedied complex problems that it did not actually cure.
Psychological-type theory plays a fundamental role in understanding management style, vocational counseling, and conflict management in organizations, but it must be viewed objectively. The test can be a valid support instrument, but when it becomes the only source of information, anomalies and inconsistencies arise. Carl Jung himself, founder of the theory behind the MBTI as an instrument, considered "psychological types" as an important segment, but they were not enough to explain all behaviors. The personalities described in the test outline general personality characteristics embodied in individuals, but they are not the same as the individual in body and soul.
The different psychological types of leadership
ISTJ Introverts: Serious, quiet, achieve success through concentration and thoroughness. Practical, orderly, casual, realistic and reliable. They are aware that everything is well organized. They accept responsibility. They decide on their own what to do and work decisively in that direction, regardless of protests or distractions.
- ISFJ: Quiet, friendly, responsible and conscientious. They work with devotion to carry out their obligations. They give stability to any project or group. They are thorough, careful and precise. It may take some time to learn technical subjects, as their interests are generally not technical. They have patience with details and routine things. They are loyal, considerate, and care about the feelings of others. ISTP: Calm, quiet, reserved viewers observe and analyze life with objective curiosity and, sometimes, original humor. They are generally more interested in impersonal principles, cause and effect, and the how and why of mechanical things or objects operating. They try as little as possible, because spending is energy is inefficient. ISFP: Reserved, quiet, friendly, sensitive, generous, modest when it comes to their abilities. They avoid disagreements, they don't try to impose their opinions or values on others. Generally, they do not prefer to be leaders but they are loyal supporters. They are often relaxed in doing something because they enjoy the present and do not want to spoil it in a hurry or with unnecessary effort.
- INFJ Introverts: Achieve success through perseverance, originality, and the desire to do what is necessary or desired. They direct their best efforts towards their work. They are powerful, but in a quiet way, they are conscientious, and they care about others. They earn the respect of others through their firmness of principle. They are likely to be praised and supported by those who recognize the clarity of their beliefs about how to ensure the well-being of the greatest number of people. INTJ: In general, they think with originality and have great determination regarding their own ideas and purposes. In careers of their liking, they have great ability to organize a job and carry it out with or without the help of others. They are doubtful, critical, independent, determined, and often stubborn people. They have to learn to compromise on the least important points in order to succeed with the most important ones. INFP: Full of enthusiasm and loyalties, but do not share these feelings with others without first getting to know them well. They care about learning, ideas, language and projects that can be carried out independently of others. They have a tendency to try to do too much, but somehow manage to do it. They are friendly people, although sometimes they are absorbed in what they are doing, that they find it difficult to be sociable. They care little about material possessions or what surrounds them. INTP: Silent, reserved, impersonal. They prefer scientific and theoretical matters. Extremely logical. They generally show an interest in ideas, giving little importance to parties or trivial conversations. They tend to have their interests well defined. They need careers where they can use profitably deep interests.
- ESTP extroverts: Casual, they don't worry or hurry, they enjoy the moment. They have a tendency to enjoy mechanical objects and sports, with friends around them. They can be somewhat abrupt or insensitive. They are adaptable, tolerant, and generally conservative in their personal values. They don't like long explanations. They have more skill with objects that can be worked, manipulated, disassembled or assembled. ESFP: They are sociable, easy-going, accept things well, they are friendly, they enjoy everything and they make sure that others are enjoying it too, making efforts to make things more fun for others. They like sports as well as building things. They find out everything that is happening around them and they are in favor of it with care. They find it easier to remember facts than to try to learn theories. They have more skill in situations where it is necessary to have common sense and practical ability with both people and objects. ESTJ: Practical, realistic, casual, with a mental inclination towards business or mechanics. They are not interested in subjects that are not practical, but they are dedicated workers when they have to be. They like to organize and carry out activities. They can be good managers, especially if they remember to consider the feelings and points of view of others. They work best when there are incentives and praise. They have little interest in abstract thoughts and technical subjects. His main interests are the things that affect the lives of others in a direct and visible way. ESFJ: They are affectionate, talkative, popular, conscientious, very cooperative, and are active members on committees. For them the existence of harmony is necessary and, when it does not exist, they create it with skill. They are always doing something pleasant for others. They work best when there are incentives and praise. They have little interest in abstract thoughts and technical subjects. His main interests are the things that affect the lives of others in a direct and visible way.
- ENFP extroverts: They are warm-hearted, high-spirited, resourceful, and imaginative enthusiasts. They manage to accomplish almost anything that interests them. They solve problems easily and are always ready to help anyone who has problems. They are often guided by their ability to improvise rather than prepare in advance. They can almost always find good reasons to achieve what they want. ENTP: Vivacious, resourceful, with skills for many things. They turn out to be stimulating company for others, and they are alert and frank people. Sometimes they argue on both sides of an argument, just for fun. They are resourceful at solving new and difficult problems, but they tend to put aside routine assignments. They are capable of constantly changing interests. They are skilled to find the logical reasons for what they want to achieve. ENFJ: They are as responsive as they are responsible. They generally care about the thoughts and desires of others, and they treat things with consideration for the feelings of others. They can give a presentation or lead a group in a discussion with ease and tact. They are sociable, popular, and compassionate. They are sensitive to both flattery and criticism.ENTJ: They are sincere, frank, determined, and activity leaders. They generally demonstrate proficiency in any situation that requires intellectual reasoning and conversation, such as in public speaking. They are generally well informed and like to gain more knowledge. Sometimes they feel too confident and self-confident, especially considering how little experience they have had in the situation.
References: E = Extroversion I = Introversion S = Use of the five senses N = Use of intuition T = Thought F = Feeling J = Judgment P = Perception
