Are you my type, am I yours?

I got done today, and no I'm not talking about being spade or charged 17 shillings for a turnip. No I was Myers Brigged! We all were at work. I thought it was about time we had some interesting training and CPD so I've had us all MBed. We're then going to spend a day looking at our types as an aid to improved team working and then learn some NLP. How modern are we? Well taxes have to be spent you see. You do know that the government takes more than they need just in case I need some extra stationery or a day off for being gay or white or something?

So I'm a ENFP. You may well ask. It stands for Extrovert, Intuitive, Feeling, Perceptive. Sort of sums me up don't you think. Now there are 16 types you can be, and there are no right types and wrong types, just different types. Well that's what they say, but now I know my type I obviously know the best type. Of my five staff 2 were the same, one is still to be done and my boss and my boss's boss are also ENFP. Policy officers in local government are so obviously a type. But then J is an ENFP and he is a Fashion designer - so maybe I need to go back to the drawing board on that one. I imagine Princess Margaret and Alma Cogan were the same too.

We are all a mix of all of them and this isn't about being one or the other, but it is about where your natural preference lies. So when you answer the test questions you go on instinct, and then during your interview you iron out any kinks.

So what does all this jargon mean. Well you are scored on 4 sets of alternatives:

Extraversion or Introversion

Sensing or iNtuition

Thinking or Feeling

Judging or Perceiving

Extraversion is about being attuned to the external environment, learning through doing and discussing, having breadth of interests and tending to speak and act first, reflecting later.

Introversion is about being drawn to contemplation in the inner world, prefering to 'think through' problems, learning best by reflection and mental practice, having a depth of interests and tending to reflect before acting or speaking.

Sensing is about having a focus on what is real and actual, valuing practical applications, being factual and concrete - noticing details, observing and remembering specifics, enjoying the present, wanting information to be accurate and precise and trustsing experience.

Intuition is about focusing on the 'big picture' possibilities, valuing imaginative insights, being abstract and theoretical, seeing patterns and meanings in facts, enjoying anticipating the future and stimulated by ambiguity.

Remember it is not about being on or the other it is about where your natural preference lies, we will all have bits of all.

Thinking is about being guided by objective logic, focusing on case and effect, looking for flaws in logic, applying consistent principles in dealing with people, at work emphasising involvement with tasks.

Feeling is about being guided by personal values and convictions (apparently most veggies are an F) focusing on harmony with own and other's values, looking for common ground and shared values, treating each person as a unique individual, at work emphasising on support and process.

Judging is about liking to get things decided, being scheduled and organised, enjoying decision making and planning, and disliking working under time pressure.

Perceiving is about liking to keep options open, being spontaneous and adaptable, enjoying the process, not making a decison before its time and being energised by last minute time pressures.

So are you a guardian or an inspirer - you decide - but do leave a comment if you know or work it out.

ISTJ - The Duty Fulfillers
ESTJ - The Guardians
ISFJ - The Nurturers
ESFJ - The Caregivers
ISTP - The Mechanics
ESTP - The Doers
ESFP - The Performers
ISFP - The Artists
ENTJ - The Executives
INTJ - The Scientists
ENTP - The Visionaries
INTP - The Thinkers
ENFJ - The Givers
INFJ - The Protectors
ENFP - The Inspirers
INFP - The Idealists

Don't worry if you are not the same as me, it doesn't mean that you aren't good, just that you aren't as good as me. Maybe I'll do Kinsey next.

In other news - Ronnie Hazelhurst has left us today - I never knew he'd written so many of the greats!

Al the best from the west and toodles.

WHG III xxxx