Personality Type Theory & In-Depth Overview
Different people speak different "languages" depending on their personality type. The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (AKA: MBTI®) is an assessment tool that can help individuals and organizations improve communication, reduce interpersonal conflict and perform better overall. It has been used for over 50 years and has applications across several industries.
Michelle Villalobos has been trained and qualified by CPP, Inc., the Publisher of the MBTI, to properly administer and interpret the assessment. She was trained by Charles R. Martin, Ph.D, one of the foremost experts in the theory behind and applications of the MBTI.
MIVISTA is based in South Florida and Michelle travels nationally and internationally to conduct MBTI assessments and workshops. Contact us to run an MBTI workshop for your organization.
ConceptsPersonality preferences are similar to left- or right-handedness; individuals are born with and develop certain preferred ways of thinking and acting.
Fundamental to the MBTI is the theory of psychological type as originally developed by C. G. Jung, who proposed the existence of two dichotomous pairs of cognitive functions.
MBTI® for Sales
Understanding and using Myers-Briggs for Sales is one of its most appropriate applications. By learning their own type, and as the other 15 types, salespeople are able to establish stronger, better relationships and increase the likelihood of closing sales and generating future business.
For example, imagine a salesperson who has a preference for iNtuition (N), which means that they tend to give explanations that focus on possibilities and concepts. Meanwhile, if they are selling to a Sensing type (S), such a presentation will not be as powerful as one that discusses practical details, concrete data and current realities. Personality type can also give clues about things like whether they should communicate by email, phone or in person.
If salespeople understand the behavioral cues that people exhibit, they can tailor their presentations accordingly. In our Type for Sales Workshops, we teach salespeople how to do this effectively, first by giving a basic overview of type, and then by applying the concepts through role-play and active learning.
MBTI® for Teams
The MBTI® is a tool that can help build strong teams. By using it as a starting point for greater self-awareness and shared understanding, we can help team members to communicate better, cooperate more effectively, develop problem-solving skills that match their type, be more accountable, and ultimately perform at a higher level overall.
The MBTI® helps us to establish the core team type (based on the various individual types) so that we can capitalize on their strengths and shore up any weaknesses. We run half-day, full day or two-day sessions that use the MBTI® (Myers-Briggs Type Inventory) to ease communication, reduce harmful conflict and develop strategies and action plans to maximize type preferences and increase productivity (and enjoyment!) at work.
Using the MBTI benefits teams by:
→ Identifying areas of strength and weakness
→ Clarifying and understanding individual behavior as it relates to the team
→ Supplying a framework for understanding and handling conflict effectively
→ Improved problem solving
→ Capitalizing on diversity to reach more insightful conclusions
→ Matching people with assignments and responsibilities according to preferences
→ Tailoring rewards and incentives to individual motivations and preference
MBTI® for Managers & Leaders
We use the MBTI® (Myers-Briggs Type Inventory) to ease communication, reduce harmful conflict and increase productivity in the workplace. By understanding different preferences, individuals can improve their ability to communicate, influence and bridge communication gaps.
Managers need to understand their type as well as how to read others, so that they can tailor communications to achieve the best outcome. The idea is for them to learn how to capitalize on his or her strengths while shoring up any weaknesses.
Contact us to schedule an initial assessment and obtain pricing.
MBTI® FAQ
What is the MBTI®? The MBTI is the worlds-leading research-validated personality assessment tool. It sorts people into 16 basic categories that help explain motivations, communication style, personal strengths and challenges. The MBTI was developed by Isabel Briggs-Myers and her mother Katharine Cook Briggs based on Carl Jung's theory of personality type. Over the past 50 years, the MBTI has been constantly refined and tested to make it even more useful and reliable.
How is the MBTI® used? In organizations, the MBTI is used to increase understanding and appreciation of individual differences, ease communication with people (especially those of different types,) increase teamwork, reduce unhelpful conflict and develop leadership.
What organizations have successfully used the MBTI®? Many companies, big and small, have used the MBTI to achieve results. Some of the more high-profile ones include: JetBlue, Sony, Kaiser Permanente, Southwest Airlines, Ernst & Young and Baptist Healthcare. Click here for case studies.
