Leading with Myers-Briggs Types

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MBTI and problem solving

Identify any problem you currently face. Where is the immediate focus of your attention? MBTI Type theory suggests that your first resort will be your dominant function (personal values, data, possibilities, logic). A better approach to problem solving is to deliberately use all four functions.

When you ensure that you involve all four functions by going all round the Z diagram above you are much more likely to get a robust solution.

Why not try the exercise below with three others representing the other dominant preferences? You will see how the other types think and this will enhance your own problem-solving.

Diagram showing four cognitive functions: Sensing (facts), Thinking (logic), Intuition (possibilities), and Feeling (people), with arrows indicating relationships between them.

What are the facts? What facts are missing that it would be useful to know?

Sensing

What are the possibilities? If we brainstorm ideas, what solutions might there be? What’s the goal here? Where do we need to get to ultimately?

iNtuition

What would be the logical way of implementing any of these possibilities? What would be the logical consequences?

Thinking

What are the people and relationship dimensions of this problem? What would be the impact of any decision made here?

Feeling

Adapted from Sixteen Personality Types by Jenny Rogers, 2007

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