MBTI in Leadership

Week 3 Reflection

This week’s information really helped my understanding of MBTI and how I should apply it to myself and in my future leadership roles. I have taken MBTI style tests several times throughout my life. The first time I took the MBTI test I was a junior in high school. I don’t remember what style I got, but I do remember that most of my scores were justly slightly one way or the other. Since then, I have taken free online MBTI style tests and I haven gotten variable results.

After reading the Michael (2003) article, I felt better about these mixed results. I realized that these traits weren’t necessarily dichotomous. After viewing the video and reading the Introduction to Type video, I decided I am en ESFJ, although I had a very difficult time choosing between judging and perceiving. I read through the description for an ESFJ and an ESFP and I felt that both described me pretty well but I felt like I leaned slightly more to judging than perceiving, especially in my work and leadership life.

I think having both perceiving and judging could actually be very beneficial in my work. In some ways, Judging can be very beneficial because I can be very organized and well planned. When it comes to planning for programs and events, it is very important to be able to plan ahead and be organized. For example, I am starting a completely new program, Project Butterfly Wings, with a community garden in Coshocton this summer. Because this program is new, it will be very important for me to think ahead and plan thoroughly to ensure that this program runs smoothly. On the other hand, it is also often necessary in 4-H and Extension programming to be flexible and open to change. When I worked as a camp staff member at Canter’s Cave, it was often necessary to be able to change plans last minute. I felt very comfortable with this flexible atmosphere and I was able to adapt quickly.

I want to learn more about how to use my MBTI results to become a better leader . The Myers Introduction to type article (1998) was very accurate when it discussed problems that ESFJs may have. It discussed that they may worry a lot and get stressed when a group isn’t in harmony. These are huge problems for me. I am often stressed about the quality of my work. I also stress easily about everyone getting along both in my personal and professional life. I would like to learn strategies to help not only deal with the stress, but prevent it all together.

Overall, this week’s material was very helpful in my understanding of the MBTI and how I can utilize it in my work.