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Over the past few weeks, I’ve been on the road quite a bit and with each flight I find some needed time to catch up on industry journals, books, and whatever I can get my hands on. My last trip to Chicago proved to be just such an occasion, yet this time I found myself grazing the most recent issue of Spirit (Southwest’s in-flight magazine). Flipping through the pages, I came across an interesting article by Executive Editor Brad Cope, pondering an interesting question – is it possible to change your personality type to advance your career?
While there is no single personality type that can be label the “best” or “most successful,” it’s no secret that certain personalities seem to excel in the business. If you’re familiar with the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI), you will find that “ESTJ’s” or those labeled as - Extroverted, Sensing, Thinking, and Judging - are among those most frequently on the fast track for the corner office.
“More executives and managers are ESTJ’s than any other personality type,” says Rich Thompson, divisional director of research for CPP Inc., the organization that publishes the Myers-Briggs test. “ESTJ’s are the preferred personality of America’s business culture.”
To provide a little background, the MBTI enables one to discover and understand their personality preferences. Not necessarily a concrete picture of your every action, but in general, the natural preferences that make you who you are. The theory contends that:
- An individual is either primarily Extraverted or Introverted
- An individual is either primarily Sensing or iNtuitive
- An individual is either primarily Thinking or Feeling
- An individual is either primarily Judging or Perceiving
The possible combinations of these basic preferences form the 16 different Personality Types of which we all possess. (To learn more about each personality type visit the Myers-Briggs Foundation website.)
While I won’t ruin the fun of Doug’s adventure in changing his personality, his article brings to light the importance of understanding our own behavior, how we are likely to deal with different situations, and in which environments we are most comfortable. This understanding of our strengths and weaknesses will aid us in becoming a better leaders. Conversely, learning about others’ Personality Types help us to understand the most effective way to communicate with them, and how they function best - essential pieces to creating a winning team.
Don’t know your personality type? Visit the Myers-Briggs Foundation website to take the assesment and learn more.
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Comments
09.29.09
I think it is definitely possible that other "types" achieve high levels of success, but it brings to mind a story from a mentor who said that while fighting her true nature (INTP) was possible and she had done it for many years, it was also exhausting and thus not nearly as fulfilling as just being herself. When she embraced her more "natural" state, she had more fun, was more productive, and developed better relationships with those around her and working for her.
09.29.09
Tried it and discovered that I hated who I was trying to become, and really hated what I was supposed to like. Not worth the effort, time, energy or aggravation.
09.29.09
I don't believe studies back up being able to change your personality type. You can change you behavior, alter your responses, and you can present a facade, as much of life is theater and you play the role, but no I don't believe the inherent can be changed.
09.29.09
I don't believe studies back up being able to change your personality type. You can change you behavior, alter your responses, and you can present a facade, as much of life is theater and you play the role, but no I don't believe the inherent can be changed.
09.29.09
I don't believe studies back up being able to change your personality type. You can change you behavior, alter your responses, and you can present a facade, as much of life is theater and you play the role, but no I don't believe the inherent can be changed.
09.29.09
oh lordy.
09.29.09
I don't even bother trying to interpret how others think I project myself; I am comfortable with what I do and how I do it - I might not be the best, but I'm near the top. If anything, I WANT my personality to come through, although I do try to tame it a bit....... you know, don't want people thinking you're the next coming of the technology age or anything......lol
09.30.09
I think with practice and conditioning, you can change anything about yourself. I wish I had more control over my professional persona to make me seem more gregarious, but it would be another thing altogether to change how one perceives the world around them - like the Meyers-Briggs test.
09.30.09
Well I have to two things to say -
If one my personality traits is acting as a obstruction for my progress, I would take the suggestion, and see how well I can fit into myself
Second, if this personality feature is integral to what I am, may be this career is not for me. lol
Visit http://wp.me/px8xJ-K and see for yourself, the change!
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