I have been doing a lot of thinking about the Myer-Briggs Personality Type Indicator, following trying out the tool during the first session of the Essential Leaders Program.
I identified myself as ESFP with this descriptor:
Outgoing, friendly, and accepting. Exuberant lovers of life, people, and material comforts. Enjoy working with others to make things happen. Bring common sense and a realistic approach to their work, and make work fun. Flexible and spontaneous, adapt readily to new people and environments. Learn best by trying a new skill with other people. http://www.myersbriggs.org/my-mbti-personality-type/mbti-basics/the-16-mbti-types.asp#ESFP
It was quite easy for me to choose between the preferences, and i agree with the descriptor, so therefore think that this must be fairly accurate. In doing the MBTI I realised that quite a lot of people in my life are introverts; my partner, colleagues, maybe my children. The same week TEDtalks sent me this video:
Susan Cain: The power of introverts
I became aware that some people need a quiet moment (narrowing stimuli) in order to process and time to think their thoughts through before sharing them; something quite alien to my unfettered charm. I found that giving people time sometimes pays off, especially in personal relationships. I am having more difficulty applying this to supporting staff who are introverts. It is a difficult balance when the type of work and the environment, ie the huge caseloads do not allow the introvert time to think. Sometimes I wonder if they use their personality type to deflect and avoid work tasks that they dislike. I am thinking about this a lot in order to help some of the introverts I am working with.
In thinking about this I have found some interesting articles
http://www.halogensoftware.com/blog/the-psychology-of-introverted-employees-understand-them-to-manage-them-better/
http://www.amanet.org/BLOG/post/How-to-Manage-Your-Introverted-Employees.aspx#comment
http://blog.readytomanage.com/coaching-introverts/
I am going to read and reflect on these. There's a plan.
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