Articles/Publications
Understanding Personality Profiles Improves Interaction
By Lisa A. Brothers, PE
Using the MBTI personality profile at Nitsch Engineering has been an extremely valuable tool. For example, several years ago, our firm formed a new six-member management team. The team was having problems communicating, and we considered making changes to its membership. In particular, one person (who is INTP) was having a difficult time transitioning into a leadership position and working with the owners of the firm. Our strategic consultant, who trained in administrating the MBTI, suggested that certain members of the management team (one of my managers and me) determine our MBTI types and then work one-on-one with her to help us understand ourselves and develop a better understanding of how each of us operated. She convinced us that, once we were "self-aware," we would be able to appreciate and work out our differences. Nitsch Engineering made the investment in the analysis because we wanted the INTP to succeed within our organization — we value having different personalities within the management team. We knew that if everyone were the same, we would be limiting the growth of the management team and Nitsch Engineering.
We learned a great deal about ourselves and each other through the MBTI results and individual sessions with our consultant. For example, my sensing preference (ISTJ) and the other manager's intuitive preference (INTP) were causing problems for the team. As an ISTJ, I want to know the details — I need to know all the facts before I make a decision. However, an INTP's intuition preference prompts a focus on "big-picture" possibilities and future plans, making extensive explanations and details less important. The INTP team member was always suggesting "far-out" ideas or solutions to problems without providing the thought process and the detail I needed. Since the training sessions, we developed a respect for each other's differences and made adjustments in how we interact with each other. I am delighted to say that this particular INTP is still with Nitsch Engineering — and we have a terrific working relationship.
The success of the one-on-one training has inspired Nitsch Engineering to use the MBTI for the entire management team, and we do have quite a mix of types! I would, however, caution users of the MBTI on two things when using the process. The training sessions can be uncomfortable for certain individuals depending on their personalities and the facilitator's ability. And, there is the potential for negative stereotyping that may linger over time — after all, each person is unique and the human personality is much too complex to expect every INTP or ISTJ to act exactly the same!
Published in Insights, the Quarterly Newsletter of the American Consulting Engineers Council of Massachusetts, Nov./Dec. 1998