Personality Types: A peep into reality, an opportunity for improvement

When I signed up for the “Career Transition Program” and subjected myself to the Myers-Briggs’ personality assessment test to determine my Personality Type, little did I know that I just opened myself to a new face in the journey of personal discovery. To me, it was just going to be an enjoyable period to interact with new people and forge alliances that could lead to whatever. However, this was not my main objective at that time, though I envisaged it and was set to make the best of it.

Katherine Briggs and her daughter Isabel Briggs Myers developed their test model as a tool to indicate, validate, and put to practical use the work of C. J Jung’s work on Psychological Types [R. Martin, 2007]. Though Jung’s effort aimed to understand human differences, Myers-Briggs’ focus was how to apply these differences to making better career choices.

Subjecting myself to the paper and pencil test exposed me to questions I never thought would have mattered much and I further gained an appreciation for critical reasoning. At the end of the day, my analysis revealed ENTJ personality type. To give a general overview, this would mean that I am an Extrovert (less Introvert), more Intuitive (less Sensing), Thinking (rather than Feeling) and Judging (less Perceiving). Because of my limited education in this subject matter, I may not be able to provide in-depth explanation. All these functions have numerous indicators for work styles, direction of energy, attitude towards the outer world and so forth. Is this the absolute truth about me? I am still learning. Let me be swift to mention that the resultant personality type is a direct indication of the answers I chose while taking the test. Generally, the answers are supposed to result from natural preferences.

Our stories, friends, support systems, likes, self-perception and such things come together to shape our preferences. We would rather stick to our gut feelings than explore new terrains, buy a stick shift than an automatic, buy from the same business chain, write with the same hand, and so forth. Often times, we are boxed into our self-created squares when in reality there is a part of us that can develop, grow and endure a departure from the natural preference. My career coaching sessions have helped me to realize these things. The transition journey raises many questions and there is the constant need to balance confidence and self-image. Every part of our journey provides an opportunity to improve on one thing or the other, this may include choosing a new career or enjoying everyday living. Understanding oneself through this structured approach provides an avenue not to only take an honest inventory of skills, but also an appreciation of the need for continuous development leading to maturity both for once career and life.