If I Could Rewrite Myers Briggs Type Codes

Let me warn you this is a random post…from my random thoughts.

And, that makes more sense considering my Myers Briggs. Random. Stay tuned.

I have used the Myers Briggs personality profile for years. I even became certified to instruct and administer the assessment a decade ago.

I have shared and talked about my type HERE and have written mostly about the difference in the Extrovert and Introvert preferences. I’m an Introvert.

I’m an INTJ — in case you were wondering.

I think it’s a great tool for leadership development, relationship enhancement, self awareness and career evaluation. I’ve used it with church staff, couples, and with small groups. Everyone is unique — and especially some “types” hate labels that assume they are a certain way — but sometimes this can be a good starting point of discovery into relationships.

I love the application of the assessment, but if I were to rewrite Myers Briggs, I would change a few of the titles. I think at times it has been confusing. Maybe it’s the age of the terms.

If you don’t recall the options — there’s E or I, S or N, T or F, J or P.

Some changes I would make:

I’m happy with the E and I.

E is for extrovert..

Most people can hear that term and have a decent idea what it means — they are more social by preference, although, in my experience, extroverted people are less likely to think they are extroverted than introverted people know they are introverted. These people are more likely to say what they think when they think it. They are generally more apt to engage in conversation — and are energized by doing so.

I is for introvert.

Introverts are desperate for alone time. It’s where they get their energy for life. In years of working with Myers Briggs, I seldom meet an introvert who doesn’t already know they are one. I’ve written tons about introverts — search the blog — but it’s important to know introverts don’t dislike people — they just get energized from their down time.

From this point is where I would want to play with the terms.

The S and N terms can be a little confusing.

S is for sensing.

A sensing person prefers to use the information available, using the five senses, to make decisions. I agree with that.

N is for iNtuition.

And, people with this preference prefer to make up their minds by adding their own information to what’s apparent. (You’ll normally find the creative types here.)

I’d probably leave the S, because that makes “sense” to me. But, I would change the N to the letter R — for Random. These people (like me) tend to have more random thoughts. They’re thoughts are not tied necessarily to one of the senses. They often have the thought before they make “sense” of it.

The T and F cause me problems also.

T stands for Thinking. It’s a preference for making decisions based on the rational facts at hand. This person prefers truth over tact.

F stands for Feeling. It’s a preference for considering the people or values aspect involved before making a decision. It’s tact over truth.

I just don’t think these are the best terms.

In my experience, men often resist being a “F” because of the word “feelings”.

I’ve experienced some women who resist being a “T”, because they assume that means they have no feelings.

And the fact is — there’s nothing wrong with a man or woman being wired with either type….

Also, we all think AND we all feel — just to lesser degrees of each.

So, I’d prefer to title the T – Logic

I’d prefer to title the F – Values

Those seem to fit better for how I see these preferences played out in a personality.

The ones wired for “Thinking” tend to make decisions based more on logic. They can’t dismiss the facts of the matter — the rational, logical, cold hard facts.

The ones wired for “Feeling” tend to make decisions based more on their set of values. That could be people, or it could be a set of principles important to them, but when a value gets in the midst, it affects how they make decisions.

Then there are the last two letters.

The terms J and P — for Judging and Perceiving are, again, pretty confusing terms.

Basically a “J” prefers to have things decided and a “P” would prefer to stay open to new options.

I might change the J to an O for Order

These types tend to prefer a more orderly life — where the future is more scripted. They prefer to have a plan and work from the plan. Everyone procrastinates, but these people stress when they did.

I’d change the P to the letter N for Now

These folks seem to prefer to live in the moment. They let life evolve. They sometimes have less stress too! When they put things off — well — we can still have fun — right?

These are just my observations. I’m sure there are even better terms. Just my thoughts. In this case, I would be an IRLO.

An IRLO. But, now I’m confused. Maybe we should leave things as they were. Carry on.

Have you ever had an official Myers Briggs administered to you? What’s your type?

For those of you who know Myers Briggs talk — what changes would you make?

For those who have no idea what I’m talking about — how’d you make it this far?