Different Personality Types
What type of Personality do you Belong?
When type watching, it is important to keep in mind the
old "whole is greater than the sum of its parts" rule. A person's
extraversion may be easier to spot than his or her sensor characteristics. Keep
in mind the complexities of putting the four preferences together. People with
three of the same preferences and only one difference can be quite opposite in
personality or outlook on life. Type watching is much easier on paper than it
is in real life!
Time
Management
Judgers/Perceivers:
Time management is primarily a judger/perceiver issue.
When it comes to time management, it's a judgers' world. J's have their
homework done on time, their projects done on schedule. In a time-conscious
society, people who are slave to their clocks get ahead. People who are
constantly late are said to "have problems with authority."
Unfortunately, society's J preoccupation with time sometimes leads to poor
results. Citing a hard-core Js slogan: "We don't have time to get it
right. We only have time to do it over."
In groups, judgers need perceivers to help them avoid
being overly rigid and compulsive. Ps help Js stay open to creative solutions.
Js, in turn, help Ps complete a project in a realistic time frame.
Introverts/Extraverts:
Introverts are usually perceived as being better time
managers because thinking about a problem or issue takes less time than talking
about it. Extraverts, through their need for constant engagement, use up their
own time as well as that of others.
To work effectively, Is need to realize that at some
point, they have to talk: to let the rest of the group in on their thoughts.
Conversely, Es need to stop talking at some point and start listening. Is and
Es need to periodically schedule breaks in discussions and work to give I's
time to reflect and recharge.
Sensors/iNtuitives:
Sensors perceive a minute as sixty seconds; iNtuitives
perceive time as what you make of it. This often leads to misunderstandings and
hard feelings. When working together, S's and N's must learn to accommodate
each other. Sensors must be flexible in realizing "an hour meeting"
might sometimes mean 90 minutes. iNtuitives, on the other hand, must realize
that they sometimes must stick to a time-exact schedule.
Thinkers/Feelers:
Thinkers schedule their time based on the day's
priorities, regardless of the nature of the tasks. Feelers set up their
schedules according to the people with whom they will interact throughout the
day. Feelers will usually avoid conflict, putting off unpleasant meetings, such
as an employee reprimand. It is important to remember that both preferences are
valid. If you alienate half of your staff in the name of getting things done,
your day might be classified as less than successful. On the other hand, you
need to do more in a day than making everyone happy; you need to get work done.
Additional
Time Management Tips:
Everyone procrastinates around their non-preferences. If
a group member keeps putting off a certain kind of job, he or she might need
some support.
Everyone has a natural preference toward controlling time
or adapting to it. Usually, people who tend to try to control time need to be a
little more adaptive; and adapters need to try to be a bit more controlling.
People won't change. Adapters will never become
controllers; perceivers will never become judgers. However, people do have the
ability to make adjustments to try and better accommodate other personality
types.
Conflict
Resolution
Thinkers/Feelers:
Differences in this personality preference by far are
most significant in conflict resolution. Thinkers want feelers to deal with the
facts and not personalize everything. Feelers want thinkers to consider the
feelings of all those involved. Both types are afraid of losing control. T's
are afraid they will lose control if an issue becomes personal and they appear
to be personally affected by the conflict. F's are afraid that they will say
something during a heated discussion that will cause irreparable harm to an
interpersonal relationship. To work together, both types must simply realize
that there are no right or wrong ways to approach conflict resolution, only
differences.
Tips
on resolving conflict:
Extraverts:
Stop and listen.
Extraverts think they can talk their way out of any
situation. The key to conflict management for extraverts is to occasionally
take a time out from talking and listen to what others are saying.
Introverts:
Speak up.
Introverts need to get their side of the story out in the
open. As difficult as it is for introverts to speak up at meetings, it is
imperative to ensure conflict resolution.
Sensors:
Look beyond the facts.
Sensors need to occasionally look beyond the obvious
facts and consider extenuating circumstances.
iNtuitives:
Stick to the issues.
iNtuitives want to always look at the big picture. A bit
of focus goes a long way in resolving simple conflicts.
Thinkers:
Emotion is not always bad.
Thinkers must allow others to express emotion, even if
they are unable to do so. Emotions are an integral part of conflict resolution.
Feelers: Be
firm.
Feelers should not apologize for showing emotion. At the
same time, they must occasionally say something frank, or even mean. People
will respect their honesty.
Judgers:
Don't be a know-it-all.
Judgers must learn to accept the fact that the world is
not always black and white. They must learn to entertain points of view other
than their own.
Perceivers:
Pick one side of the fence.
Perceivers have both the blessing and the curse of being
able to see all sides of an argument. A devil's advocate is sometimes
counterproductive in conflict resolution. Ps should learn to defend the
position about which they feel most strongly.
Problem
Solving
Some people solve problems; others create problems. Here
are some tips for each of the personality types to use their traits to improve
the problem solving process. However, remember the importance of balance. Don't
go too far in pushing your personality traits. For example, feelers can help
ensure that the personal consequences of every alternative are weighed, but
getting too emotional and personal will reduce your credibility.
Extraverts:
Stop, look, and listen
Just as in conflict resolution, Es need to make an effort
to listen. They should avoid the temptation to jump in every time there is a
pause in the discussion.
Introverts:
Don't think, speak
Is need to avoid their natural tendency to filter
everything they say. Sometimes problem solving requires brainstorming and
spontaneity.
Sensors:
Push for clarity
Ss have the
natural ability to express the problem to be solved in tangible, simple terms.
They also have a tendency to supply facts and figures that can be extremely
helpful in problem solving.
iNtuitives:
Make lemonade
When everyone else
in the group sees only gloom and doom, Ns have the ability to find creative
solutions to turn something bad into something good. Ns should point out the
alternatives and make sure each is thoroughly examined.
Thinkers:
Help keep things in perspective
Ts can help the
group see if it has become too attached to a problem. Ts can help keep things
in perspective, including the cold, hard consequences of each alternative.
Feelers:
Keep it personal
Fs can ensure that the personal consequences of every
alternative are clearly defined. They also can go a long way in ensuring group
harmony during the problem solving process, by ensuring everyone has a chance
to express their ideas.
Judgers:
Keep the group focused
Js can help keep the group oriented on the ultimate goal:
solving the problem. Js can also ensure that whatever solution is reached can
be implemented in a timely and efficient manner.
Perceivers:
Keep the group's options open
Problem solving offers Ps the opportunity to be the
devil's advocate. A few pointed questions can lead to better solutions.
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