Improve Your Communication and Decision Making
Understand How Your MBTI Type Shapes Your Interactions with Others
Dec 11, 2008
The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) shows how different personality types perceive the reality around them, communicate their understanding, and eventually make decisions based on their innate preferences.
Communication and Extraversion - Introversion Preferences
If you are experiencing communication challenges, start by looking at Extraversion - Introversion differences. Extraverts develop their ideas through conversation and they enjoy group discussions where they can communicate their energy and enthusiasm. Introverts, on the other hand, develop their ideas though contemplation, rather than discussion. They like to think things through and communicate one-on-one rather than in a group setting, and they prefer to keep their energy and enthusiasm inside.
Communication and Sensing – Intuition Preferences
Another area worth exploring is the Sensing – Intuition preferences. Sensors enjoy specific information related to current events and a lot of details. They like ideas that are straightforward and practical. Intuitors, on the other hand, like to look at broad issues that often focus on future opportunities. Unlike Sensors who base their ideas on past experience, Intuitors rely on their insight and imagination. They like to present ideas that are novel and unusual.
Tips for Improving Communication
- Encourage Extraverts to give Introverts information in writing, as well as time to think through ideas.
- Encourage Introverts to voice their opinions, even when only partially thought-out, and actively participate in meetings by listening, asking questions, and responding.
- Encourage Sensors to discuss new avenues and future possibilities.
- Encourage Intuitors to include facts that support their insights.
Decision Making and Thinking-Feeling Preferences
The Thinking and Feeling preferences focus on how people make decisions. Individuals with a preference for Thinking rely on factual pros and cons, and the principles of cause and effect. They tend to be critical and objective when coming to conclusions. People with a preference for Feeling prefer to take into account personal and group values and feelings. They like to consider the effects of their decisions on the people involved.
Decision Making and Judging-Perceiving Preferences
The Judging and Perceiving preferences also impact decision making. People with a preference for Judging like to come to conclusions and get closure quickly. They value timelines, schedules, and don’t enjoy changes to their plans in general. Individuals with a preference for Perceiving like to gather information from many sources, for as long as possible before coming to a conclusion. They don’t mind unexpected changes and prefer to make last minute decisions.
Tips for Improving Decision Making
- Encourage Thinkers to show flexibility and look for ways to agree with the others’ point of view. Remind them that taking into account the impact on people is a logical step in the decision making process.
- Encourage Feelers to include pros versus cons arguments in their decision making process, and remind them to take criticism objectively.
- Encourage Judgers to take extra time to gather information and not jump to conclusions.
- Encourage Perceivers to reduce the number of options they consider and minimize the number of last minute surprises.
No matter what your MBTI type is, remember that each type has their own strengths and weaknesses when it comes to communication style and decision making process. You can learn from others by observing their behaviours and incorporating some of their approaches, thus becoming a more balanced communicator, a better decision maker, and a more effective influencer. You can also know what to expect from others by understanding their own style and what they value.
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