MYERS-BRIGGS

Herb uses The Myers-Briggs System as a tool to improve communication and personal development. He is available for workshops and trainings for organizations and corporations in the greater Boston area and periodically teaches public workshops on the Myers-Briggs.

The Myers-Briggs is an excellent tool to:

1. Evaluate team dynamics
2. Coach individuals effectively according to their type differences
3. Understand one's own individual strengths and weaknesses
4. Manage others by supporting their strengths and developing areas that are weak

The Myers-Briggs theory includes a set of four categories, each of which has a pair of differences. Every human being, according to the Myers-Briggs theory, has a stronger preference for one of those pairs of differences. These categories are:

Extraversion-introversion.
Extroverts are energized primarily through the outer environment, that is, people and objects outside themselves. Introverts gain energy more from their own inner world of concepts and ideas.

Sensing and intuition.
Sensing types are down to earth, reality based and rely primarily on the five senses. Intuitors want the big picture first before they deal with details. They get their information through hunches, insights, impressions, images, through a sixth sense.

Thinking/feeling.
Thinkers are rational, logical, objective, detached, fair and analytical, tend to be impersonal and "cool" and can be perceived as critical. Feelers are subjective in their decisions and are very concerned about people's reactions. They try to create peace and harmony, tend to take things personally and are personal in their interactions—that is, they are relationship-oriented.

Judging/perceiving.
Judgers are decisive and don't like to wait—let's finish this now. Perceivers like to keep their options open while collecting more data and are disorganized and spontaneous in their lives. Judgers appear to be "more mature" and adult-like, while perceivers appear to be more childlike and freer. Judgers tend to be organized and like structure in their lives.

Potential conflicts are rampant between the different types. A business with only one perspective might "get along" with co-workers but will not address differing preferences of many of their clients. When one perspective dominates in a business, there can be an atmosphere of fear and control over those who have a different perspective, which causes a lack of creativity in the dominated types. Therefore it is essential to:

1. Understand and value all the preferences as strengths
2. Listen to your "opposite" preference as a missing link for yourself
3. Realize coworkers and clients are often your "opposite" and it is necessary to relate well to all preferences to create great working relationships and be able to "sell" your clients.
4. Develop traits that add more dimension, strength and enjoyment to your type.