MBTI® Step I
The most widely used personality assessment
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How does it work?
- Decide on the specific purpose of the development.
- Complete the MBTI questionnaire online or on paper.
- Hold a feedback session where preferences are self-assessed based on descriptions from the practitioner.
- Give results from the questionnaire and asked if the respondent agrees with them.
- Decide on 'best-fit type' based on the results of the questionnaire and on self-assessment.
- Use type to understand self and others in the workplace or elsewhere.
The basic structure
The Step I framework is based around four dimensions of personality. Within each dimension, personality will fall into one or other of two dichotomies:
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E-I: Where you prefer to get and focus your 'energy' or attention |
Extraversion (E)
Prefers to draw energy from the outer world of activity, people and things. |
OR |
Introversion (I)
Prefers to draw energy from the inner world of reflections, feelings and ideas. |
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S-N: The kind of information you prefer to gather and trust |
Sensing (S)
Prefers to focus on information gained from the five senses and on practical applications. |
OR |
iNtuition (N)
Prefers to focus on patterns, connections and possible meanings. |
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T-F: The process you prefer to use in evaluating information and coming to decisions |
Thinking (T)
Prefers to base decisions on logic and objective analysis of cause and effect. |
OR |
Feeling (F)
Prefers to base decisions on a valuing process, considering what is important to people. |
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J-P: How you prefer to deal with the world around you, your 'lifestyle' |
Judging (J)
Likes a planned, organised approach to life, and prefers to have things decided. |
OR |
Perceiving (P)
Likes a flexible, spontaneous approach and prefers to keep options open. |
The final 'best-fit type' uses one letter from each dimension, eg ENFJ, ISTP etc. When applied in an ethical and directed way, understanding your own and other's preferences can drive tangible improvements to working relationships and job satisfaction.
More complex than it looks...
The MBTI framework acknowledges that individuals are more than just the sum of their preferences. It also provides a way of understanding the dynamic interactions between the different parts of psychological type, in particular as a person matures throughout their life and when they are under stress.
How to get started