1. Personality Type
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Well I’ve been in role for a month now and, as discussed and agreed we’re about
to commence with the one to one sessions throughout the department.
Since moving into the role of Facilities General Manager (hard services), we’ve
had the initial meeting followed by the team talk (last Friday), added to this I’ve
held three management meetings in my office (with the next one being next
Wednesday at SMH). All of this was in the first information sheet sent out, with
the second one due to be issued at the beginning of next month.
So what’s this document about? As stated at our first meeting, the biggest
problem the department has is communication and I thought that to develop this
I’d prepare a piece on my personality type. The aim of this is two fold, firstly to
give you all an insight into why and how I do things and secondly to show that
whilst people do have strengths they also have weaknesses, but as part of a
team we learn to use each others strengths and support each others
weaknesses and what better place to start than looking at that my personality
type.
To assist me in putting this over to you, I’ll be using two publications used on the
Raising our Game (RoG) training programmes. The information in the attached is
taken from these and are not my words (in most instances)
a. Introduction to type (6th
Edition) by Isabel Briggs Myers
b. Introduction to type and communication by Donna dunning
Within the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) there are a total of sixteen types
they are as show in the table below;
ISTJ ISFJ INFJ INTJ
ISTP ISFP INFP INTP
ESTP ESFP ENFP ENTP
ESTJ ESFJ ENFJ ENTJ
I happen to be in the ENTP area.
So what does that mean? The aim of this paper is to highlight highs and lows in
this type so that you have a better understanding of me, my actions and how to
work with me.
E- Extraversion. People who prefer extraversion like to focus on the outer world
of people and activity. They direct their energy and attention outward and receive
energy from interacting with people and from taking action.
2. Personality Type
Characteristics associated with people who prefer extraversion:
Attuned to external environment
Prefer to communicate by talking
Work out ideas by talking them through
Learn best through doing or discussing
Have broad interests
Sociable and expressive
Readily take initiative in work and relationships
N - Intuition. People who prefer intuition like to take in information by seeing the
big picture, focusing on the relationships and connections between facts. They
want to grasp patterns and are especially attuned to seeing new possibilities.
Characteristics associated with people who prefer intuition:
Oriented to future possibilities
Imaginative and verbally creative
Focus on the pattern and meanings in data
Remembers details when they relate to a pattern
Moves quickly to conclusions, follow hunches
Want to clarify ideas and theories before putting them into practice
Trust inspiration
T - Thinking. People who prefer to use thinking in decision making like to look at
the logical consequences of a choice or action. They want to remove themselves
mentally from the situation to examine the pros and cons objectively. They are
energised by evaluating and analysing to identify what’s wrong with something so
they can solve the problem. Their goal is to find a standard or principle that will
apply in all similar situations.
Characteristics associated with people who prefer thinking:
Analytical
Use cause-and-effect reasoning
Solve problems logically
Reasonable
Can be “Tough-minded”
Fair – want everyone treated equally
3. Personality Type
P - Perceiving. People who prefer to use their perceiving process in the outer
world like to live in a flexible, spontaneous way, seeking to experience and
understand life, rather than control it. Detailed plans and final decisions feel
confining to them; they prefer to stay open to new information and last-minute
options. They are energised by their resourcefulness in adapting to the demands
of the moment.
Characteristics associated with people who prefer perceiving;
Spontaneous
Flexible
Casual
Open-ended
Adapt, change course
Like things loose and open to change
Feel energised by last minute pressure
It then goes on to say about the characteristics
“Flexible and tolerant, they take a pragmatic approach focused on immediate
results. Theories and conceptual explanations bore them – they want to act
energetically to solve the problem. Focus on the here-and-now, spontaneous,
enjoy each moment that they can be active with others. Enjoy material comforts
and style. Learn best through doing.
So what is an ENTP personality type like?
At their best
People with ENTP preferences constantly scan the environment for opportunities
and possibilities. They see patterns and connections not obvious to others at the
time and at times seem able to see into the future. They are adept at generating
conceptual possibilities and the analysing the strategically.
ENTPs are good at understanding how systems work and are enterprising and
resourceful in manoeuvring within then to achieve their ends.
Characteristics of ENTPs
ENTPs are enthusiastic innovators. Their world is full of possibilities, interesting
concepts and exciting challenges. They are stimulated by difficulties, quickly
devising creative responses and plunging into activity, trusting their ability to
improvise. They use their intuition primarily externally and enjoy exercising
ingenuity in the world.
ENTPs are likely to be:
4. Personality Type
Creative, imaginative and clever
Theoretical, conceptual and curious
ENTPs are enterprising, resourceful, active and energetic. They respond to
challenging problems by creating complex and global solutions. They are usually
adept at “reading” other people, seeing how to motivate them, and assuming
leadership. They can do almost anything that captures their interest.
How others may see them (in this instance me)
ENTPs are spontaneous and adaptable. They find schedules and standard
operating procedures confining and work around them whenever possible. They
possess remarkable insight into the attitudes of others, and their enthusiasm and
energy can mobilise people to support their vision.
Their conversational style is customarily challenging and stimulating because
they love to debate ideas. They are fluent conversationalists, mentally quick, and
enjoy verbal sparring. When they express their underlying thinking principles,
however, they may with an intensity and abruptness that seem to challenge
others.
Others usually see ENTPs as:
Independent, autonomous and creative
Lively, enthusiastic and energetic
Assertive and outspoken
Potential areas of growth
If ENTPs do not find where they can use their gifts and be appreciated for their
contribution, they usually feel frustrated and may:
Become brash, rude and abrasive
Criticise others, especially those who seem to them to be inefficient or
incompetent
Become rebellious and combative
Become scattered – unable to focus
It is natural for ENTPs to give less attention to their non-preferred Sensing and
Feeling parts. If they neglect these too much, however, they may:
Not take care of the detail and routine required to implement insights
Not give enough weight to the impact on others of their ideas and plans
Be excessively and inappropriately “challenging and stimulating”.
5. Personality Type
Using type preference combinations
Combinations of energy and external orientations: Dealing with change
EP – Adaptable Extraverts – When changes are proposed, they consult their
network, talk to people, find out what everyone thinks. If changes allow room for
their creativity and action, they gather resources and try to energise everyone to
implement the changes
Combination of perception and judgement: Career interests
Perception (S or N) Judging (T or F) - NT
Focus on Possibilities
Handling these by applying: Theoretical concepts and systems
Thus tend to become: Logical and analytical
Find scope for their interests in: Theoretical and technical framework
For example: Physical science, research, management,
computers, law engineering and technical
work
Combinations of energy orientation and perception: Uses of information
Orientation of energy (E or I) and perception (S or N) – EN
EN Action-oriented innovators Knowledge is important for changing reality
Combination of judgment and external orientation: leading/following styles
Combination of judgment function (T or F) and the preferred orientation to
the external world (J or P) - TP
TP Adaptable problem solving
Lead by example. Value and display technical expertise, and create consistent
and orderly frameworks for working. Objective, sceptical and curious, will change
course as new information comes in. Effective problem solvers, if interested.
The Temperaments - NT “Rational”
Theory-oriented: Seek to understand the principles on which the world and things
in it work. Trust logic and reason, sceptical and precise. Think in terms of
differences, categories, definitions and structure. Focus on strategies and
designs that achieve long-range goals and lead to progress. Want competence
and thorough knowledge.
6. Personality Type
Learning styles
Interested in: Theories and global explanations about why the world
works the way it does
Learn best by: Categorising, analysing, applying logic
Need: To be given a big problem to solve, an intellectual
challenge, and then to be allowed to work it out.
Want from teacher: To be treated with respect, to respect the teacher’s
competence
So as an ENTP how do I function in this arena?
Extraversion (E) “Let’s talk this over”
Individuals with a preference for extraversion tend to:
Focus their energy and process information externally
Dislike working on one thing for a long time, especially if they must do it on
their own
Learn and work best when able to share, discuss, and process information
with others
Ask questions and think out aloud during activities or while working through
decisions
Understand their world best by acting on it or talking about it
Intuition (N) “I can see it all now”
Individuals who prefer Intuition tend to:
Focus first on what facts mean and how they fit together; see links,
possibilities, and relationships.
Pay more attention to connections and implementations between facts than to
facts and detail alone
Prefer information that is introduced with a “big picture” overview; jump
around between ideas and tasks
Have bursts of energy rather than stamina
Become bored or impatient with tasks that required considerable focus on
detail, routines, or sequencing.
Like creating ideas and possibilities; have a future and change focus
7. Personality Type
Thinking (T) “Is this logical”
Individuals that prefer thinking tend to:
Evaluate situations by focusing on logic and analysis
Be most influenced by objective data and cause-and-effect relationships
Consider pros and cons of ideas, information, and opinions
Make decisions based mainly on logic
Prefer calm, objective interactions, often see work and private life as separate
Spot flaws and provide constructive feedback
Perceiving (P) “Let’s wait and see”
Individuals with a perceiving orientation tend to:
Defer judgment and gather more information; like to keep their options open
Act spontaneously and leave things to the last minute
Prefer starting projects to following through with projects
Be frustrated by rules, routines, and highly structured tasks
Be open, flexible and adaptable
Extraverts in communication (E)
“Lets Talk about it”
Communication Strengths
Are active, energetic, and enthusiastic
Think on their feet
Establish networks of contacts
Have breadth of interest
Provide extensive information and feedback
Communication Approach
Seek interactions and diversions
Share thoughts freely in lively group discussions
Can discuss a wide range of topics
Change topics and opinions as a dialogue progresses
Think out load
Share ideas or information immediately
Respond rapidly
Talk more than listed
Overlap air space and interrupt others
Ask lots of spur-of-the-moment questions
8. Personality Type
When communicating with Extraverts
Acknowledge you are listening and use cues to show you are preparing a
response
Provide immediate feedback and verbal acknowledgement
Express overt interest and enthusiasm; lean forward, nod, smile , and
maintain eye contact
If needed, ask for time to think about something, then set a time to
communicate
Anticipate other will want feedback and be prepared to share more
information sooner
Focus on discussing topics you know well or have had chance to consider
Seek networking opportunities; find someone to help you make links and
contacts
Take initiative to introduce yourself or start a conversation
Deal with conflict and be willing to confront issues when they occur
Remember other often think loud, so don’t assume words are well thought out
Intuitive Types in communication (N)
“I can see it all now”
Communication Strengths
Are open to possibilities
Anticipate and create change
Are future oriented; see trends
Link and integrate information
Generate Ideas
Communication Approach
Want implications and relationships, not just facts
Become board or impatient with detail
Like to brainstorm or play with ideas and imagine what could be
Focus on future and long-term aspects and impact
See patterns and understand the big picture
Are stimulated by possibilities; seek to create, grasp and share new ideas
Use metaphors, analogies, and other forms of symbolic language
In conversation, may jump across topics exploring links
Trust and are eager to apply theories, models and frameworks
Don’t like to be hampered by barriers or limits
When communicating with intuitive types
Consider possibilities that may initially seem farfetched
Provide an overview or thumbnail sketch first
Suspend realities when necessary to brainstorm and generate ideas
Don’t get bogged down in facts and detail
9. Personality Type
Share main points, then add some detail as necessary
Stretch towards taking a longer-term, future focus
Shoe future possibilities of your ideas
Trust what works and be open to changing what doesn’t work
Let others share your ideas and dreams
Provide a reality check without discarding ideas; help intuitive types link ideas
to reality
Thinking Types in communication (T)
“Is this logical”
Communication Strengths
Calm, reasonable, and under control
Provide honest and frank feedback
Analyse, evaluate and critique
Objective and principled
Clear thinking process using defined criteria
Communication Approach
Use logic and analysis to spot flaws or weaknesses
Need to know “why?”
Prefer information that is presented objectively as a matter of fact
Debate or challenge information
List and cider pros and cons
Create or use clearly defined criteria
Trust competence and expertise
Like competence and want to win
Use precise and concise language
Task and goal focused
When communicating with thinking types
Be calmly objective and demonstrate your competence
Offer honest and frank feedback as positive comments
Detach situation and view them logically and objectively
Support your opinions with logical reasoning and clear thinking
Avoid becoming overly emotional or passionate when discussing issues
Be logical, reasonable, clear, precise, and concise
Focus on tasks and objectives as well as on individuals involved in the
situation
Don’t feel threatened or attacked when others like to compete, debate, or
challenge
Show cause-and-effect relationships and pros and cons
Accept critical feedback without personalising it
10. Personality Type
Perceiving Types in communication (P)
“Let’s wait and see”
Communication Strengths
Are flexible and adaptable
Respond to the situation as needed
Are open to new information
Generate and consider a wide range of options
Take an easygoing approach to change
Communication Approach
Seek new information and explore options
Include lots of data and ideas in the decision-making process
Have a flexible, spontaneous, and unstructured communication style
Are open to respond to unexpected requests or opportunities
Can postpone decisions or make tentative decisions that can change
Seek input from others exactly when they need it
Feel boxed in if immediate decisions are required
Ask questions and provide options
Prefer open-ended discussion and language to conclusive statements
See opportunities in interruptions and diversions
When communicating with perceiving types
Allow opportunities to explore before deciding
Expect and schedule in discussion time and plan for changes in your
schedule
Establish mutual deadlines rather than direct others
Avoid making decisions too quickly; seek more information before deciding
Check t ensure you are not making conclusions when speaking
Describe situations rather than evaluate them
Consider multiple options and ask more questions to gather information
Be open to changing and dynamic information and situations
Be willing to take steps without making a complete plan
Be open to accommodating unexpected communication opportunities
Communication Tips when dealing with an ENTP (in this instance me)
Be imaginative, enthusiastic and open minded
Make connections and show relationships between things
Appeal to their (my) curiosity, flexibility, and desire to change things
Focus on new ideas, possibilities, and patterns
Present opportunities or challenges
Avoid focusing too much on rules, structures and procedures
Allow them (me) room to explore ideas without coming to closure
11. Personality Type
Show how information relates to the bigger picture
Provide opportunities to brainstorm
Avoid focusing on only facts and details
ENTP Logical Explorer: Innovate and initiate “The possibilities are endless”
Communication highlights At first glance What they want to hear
Persuasive and convincing
when championing ideas
Future focused, change
oriented systems thinkers;
create new models and
ideas
Quick to see problems as
opportunities, explore links
and integrate ideas
Use logical analysis to zero
in on root cause of complex
problems
Champion change and
initiate actions with great
energy and excitement
Initially seem sceptical,
analytic, and detached;
can be easygoing, tolerant,
and casual
Open ended and
exploratory; take in and
integrate information form
many sources
Thinks outside the box and
come up with new and
untried solutions to
problems
Energetic and enthusiastic;
immersed in projects to
actualise the vision
Desire freedom and
independence to align their
efforts with a greater vision
How, why things work;
enjoy questioning others
Others questioning them
and debating their
perspective
Verbal challenges to
sharpen their perspective
and demonstrate
competency
No direct commands or
specific instructions
Possibilities, ideas,
theories and models that
draw their interest and
engage them
When expressing themselves Giving / receiving feedback Interpersonal focus
Use precise language;
debate fine meaning and
implications of words and
concepts
Use logical, analytical
language to describe
abstract problems, systems
and ideas
Discuss and play with
alternative solutions that can
seem in direct opposition
Persuasive and articulate,
they advocate, educate, and
negotiate for their ideas
Do not like to repeat
themselves and may note
take time to explain detail
Generally accepting, but
intolerant of incompetence
or substandard efforts
Will provide constructive
feedback in a concise, to-
the-point manner
Independent and assume
that other will work
independently; critical of
dependence
Self-reliant and self critical;
not likely to look to others
for corrective feedback
Fails to see the need for
being overly encouraging
or for giving ongoing
positive feedback
Charming, disarming, very
personable and
persuasive
Deal with problems –
even interpersonal ones –
using logic more than
emotion or empathy
Come across as
impersonal, indifferent, or
overly focused on the
tasks rather than the
people
Debate perspectives
openly and can be
surprised if others take
comments personally
Can change position
easily and may come
across as inconsistent or
mercurial
12. Personality Type
Communicating effectively with ENTP’s
Do
Let them work independently
Use logic and reason to convince them; be
precise when expressing your thoughts
Know what you are talking about to ensure
they perceive you as a competent person
Expect them to critique and question
Be prepared for debate and challenges
Provide time for them to analyse and
integrate information
Present information in global formats such
as flow charts and system maps
Allow them to define how and what they
need to do to accomplish goals
Be patient with open-ended brainstorming,
modelling or idea-generating sessions
Do not
Focus on emotional or personal
communication at work
Expect them to overtly appreciate and
validate others on a regular basis
Present information or perspectives that
cannot be justified using logical reasoning
Expect them to give specific direction to or
supervise others closely
Discuss routine or straightforward tasks
Tell the specifics about what to do or how to
do it
Expect patience when discussing ways to
organise people or tasks
Keep turning the focus to practical details
and short-term implications
Provide the detail until they have had time to
see the “big picture”
Personalise their need to question, critique,
challenge and debate
Well in twelve pages I’ve hopefully covered my personality type, which I feel has
covered me very well.
If you have read through this paper you will have noted my strengths, spotted my
weaknesses, and by using my strengths to support you in your daily tasks and
giving me support in my weaker areas we can move forward as a fully functional
team.
You have now seen my personality type - warts and all - and I am sure that over
the coming months you will see me in action and be able to take a moment to
look back to this indicator and say, yes, I should have expected that reaction or
result.
Dale Vaughan