The Myers Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI)® 

 

We humans have been trying to understand each other since the time of the ancient Greeks when the physician, Hippocrates, decided that different temperaments were caused by different “humors” or body fluids. He characterized four temperaments as Choleric, Melancholic, Sanguine, and Phlegmatic.

• Modern keys for unlocking the mysteries of personality

A better researched source for the twenty-first century is the MBTI.^®It is the most widely used and respected way for people to better understand themselves and their needs. This knowledge can enhance the way we re-energize, how we communicate, and how we make decisions. As we gain a deeper understanding of ourselves, we can build  the foundation for greater self-confidence. We humans and our personalities are very complex, too complicated for predicting career or marriage happiness. Yet, the MBTI^®  is an incredible asset for developingself-knowledge and interpersonal skills that can lead to success in interactions with others.

• Enhancing relationships

• Increasing influence

Perhaps the best aspect of the MBTI^® is that the more we become aware of our preferences, the more we gain an awareness of others’ uniquenesses and how we can be more effective with them. This becomes a special advantage for relating to the significant people in our lives. Experiences with the instrument can increase recognition of more productive ways for influencing others, facilitating change, and managing conflict. One of the most usefulaspects of the MBTI^® experience is that, as we grow in our self-awareness, we become astute in noticing the preferences of others, enabling us to increase our ability to persuade, be articulate, compelling, and make a positive difference in the lives of others.

In Chapter 7 of her book, Grandparents Are for Making Memories, Zelma lends insight into the value of observing and gaining a perspective of young personalities. Dr. Z’s graphic below is featured on page 244 and can be especially helpful in assessing abilities and skills.