Type & Productivity

Whatever your career path might be, chances are that you stay very busy. A job takes many hours out of a person's day – whether time spent on the job or time spent driving to and from the job – and those are the hours people tend to focus on, often to the exclusion of their non-working hours. Those hours away from the job, though, can be wonderfully beneficial in shaping a more well-rounded life. Self-care, too often overlooked, should be prioritized. Workaholics, take heed: here's to the importance of downtime. Read More >>

In the terminology of the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI), sensors are hands-on people who prefer to process information about the world in terms of what they can see, hear, feel, touch, and taste. Intuitives, on the other hand, prefer to assimilate information about the world around them and process the data in an abstract, big-picture way. When they work together in an office, sensors and intuitives might find their working relationships rife with misunderstandings unless they can try to mutually understand and respect one another's differences. By doing so, they'll contribute to harmony in the workplace, fostering an office politics that's based on cooperation, not conflict. Read More >>

Since the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) is useful for self-knowledge, it follows that knowledge gained through taking the MBTI would assist with conflict resolution between employees. People who become more cognizant of their own personality traits and preferences can more easily view the traits and preferences of other people with increased understanding. Mutual understanding – that is, employees developing empathy for one another – is key to harmony in the workplace. Read More >>

Office politics is an umbrella term that encompasses many things. On one hand, it can refer to behavior whereby coworkers step on their colleagues in the interest of getting ahead at all costs. On the other hand, office politics at its best can describe a dynamic of cooperation, not competition. When colleagues vary in their personality types, understanding and empathy are the keys to cooperation, which enhances office productivity. Introverts and extroverts differ starkly in how they communicate and resolve disputes. Learning about Myers-Briggs typology can be a solid step toward promoting a greater sense of team spirit in an office environment. Read More >>

Judgers and Perceivers differ significantly in how they make decisions and approach their lives. Where Judgers prefer structure and routine, Perceivers thrive on spontaneity and possibilities. These differences in style can cause clashes in the workplace. Office politics often gets a bad rap for amounting to nothing more than a collection of cut-throat behaviors whereby some people try to advance themselves at the expense of others. It needn't be that way, however. Office politics can be conceived as a system in which people work together to accomplish goals, and understanding Myers-Briggs typology as it applies to Judgers and Perceivers constitutes a great start. Read More >>

Large amounts of stimulation from the outside world, including in-person socializing, can feel draining to introverts, and the prospect of job interviews often reinforce that feeling.  In job interviews, introverts must put themselves in the spotlight, beat their own drums and engage in small talk.  For extroverts, those activities are second nature.  Introverts, however, have their own strengths which are equally important and which can help them succeed in job interviews.  Are you an introvert?  These job interview tips for introverts will help you take stock of your strengths and consider how they can help you get hired. Read More >>

Today, we have the second installment of our series on communication and Myers Briggs personality type. Each week, we’ll look at two personality types and how best to communicate with people of these types. We’re taking on two types with opposite preferences in each post, to highlight the wide variation in how different personality types define “good communication.” If you missed the first installment, have a look at our tips for communicating with ESTPs and INFJs. Read More >>

One of the questions I get most from my clients is “How should I deal with someone of X personality type?” Clients are anxious to use their new Myers-Briggs knowledge to work more effectively with colleagues and bosses, as well as relate better to spouses, children, and friends. Whether at work or at home, good relationships are based on good communication, and it helps to start with some basic knowledge of how different types like to communicate. If you just can’t seem to get anywhere with a particular person, it could be because you’re not appealing to their communication style. Read More >>

Is there anything more frustrating to a sales rep than a customer who leaves your business to purchase the same product or service from a competitor? Despite your best efforts, the sale evaporates, and you rarely know why. However, businesses who have the resources often conduct “lost customers surveys” to find out what happened.The top reason cited for leaving a business to make a purchase elsewhere?

“I didn’t like the sales rep.” Read More >>

In today's labor market, maximizing your productivity is more important than ever. Whether you're trying to survive a round of layoffs or just working with fewer support staff than usual, making the most of your time is essential. However, maximizing productivity is something we all do in different ways. Some of us are inclined to micromanage our time, scheduling every minute of the day and adhering closely to lists and schedules. If you're familiar with Myers Briggs personality type concepts, you probably recognize these people as Judging types. Read More >>