Personality types

Answer

Introduction
People have different personality features that distinguish them from others, and yet some of the personalities seem to work better with each other than others. In academic studies, the reason behind these differences and similarities is personality type and interaction of some types with other types. Identifying and learning about your personality type is beneficial for self-improvement and in the workplace since it provides an insight into components of relationship that can prevent disagreement situations and assist becoming behaviourally flexible (Maridou et al., 2014). In this essay, Type Dynamic Indicator will offer in-depth analysis into personal leadership styles, team working role and how the results might be used to support personal development. It is important for me, as a future manager, to understand how to manage myself and become aware of personality theories before managing others in the workplace and beyond. To achieve progression in management development it is important to apply reflective practices on learnings and past experience to create a strategy for action planning and improvement. Therefore, the purpose of this essay is to critically reflect on my learning from Type Dynamic Indicator results and apply it into action planning of my career path. To perform a consistent reflection I will be applying Gibbs’ Reflective Cycle (1988) and Rolfe et al. (2010) Reflective Model. Moreover, I will be using my observations from group activities performed during the lectures for further understanding of personality theories in action.
Main Body
Type Dynamic Indicator is essentially based on Jung's (1971) framework of psychological types where a person's behaviour can be categorized into general attitudes, such as extroverted (E) or introverted (I); how a person perceives information, through sensing (S) or intuition (N); and how a person processes information, through thinking (T) or feeling (F). In further academic researches, Myers–Briggs suggested to supplement Jung’s theory by adding judging-perceiving relationship as a feature that influences personality type. Therefore, when combining all preferences defined by Jung and Myers–Briggs we get 16 different combinations of four-letter acronym that correspond with personality type (Fordham, 1966). The results of Type Dynamic Indicator have concluded that my personality type is ESFJ, which is according to Truity (ND) is the second most common type in the population. In the beginning, this result astonished me since previously I had been assessed by similar questionnaire and my personality type indicated me as ENFJ. In accordance with Jung’s theory, Sensors demonstrate practical and realistic thinking that concentrate on immediate results. On the other hand, Intuitors prefer to rely on patterns and hypothesis that focus on longsighted results. Looking back, I can say that work experience and knowledge gained at university could be the reason behind changes in my Sensing-Intuition preference. For example, while working as a front office trainee in the hotel I was required to follow procedures in a clear sequence to provide guests with excellent service and resolve any problems efficiently. This required me to demonstrate strong abilities of prioritising and problem solving that possibly shaped my Sensing part of personality. It would be irrational to assume that my Intuition function has disappeared, yet at this point of my career path it is not my priority. However, it would be useful to consider developing a strategic thinking for long-term solutions.
In the academic community the most beneficial reflective theories are Gibbs’ Reflective Cycle (1988) and Rolfe et al. (2010) Reflective Model. (briefly about those concepts) In this essay, I will be using these two concepts while reflecting on my result.
What have I learnt about myself in a group setting? – Part of university studies is group works where you have to perform activities that involves interacting with a wide range of people. Extraversion is a part of my ESFJ personality, therefore group activities is a second nature for me where I demonstrate my interpersonal skills and ability to organise people and process of the work. However, the other side of the coin is desire to make everybody comfortable and avoid conflicts, even if it conflicts with my opinion or needs. For example, in university we had to do the ‘Lost at Sea’ test as part of lecture activity. From results of our activity, I realised that decisions that I made as individual would have guaranteed my success more than decisions made as a group. Reason: During group discussions, I tried to please everybody and avoid confrontation (even if I disagreed). Action plan: from a leadership perspective, I should learn to be more assertive, prove my point and allow arguments to happen rather than trying to create harmony.
My learning, work placement and other development opportunities. – Setting an example of hard work and perseverance whilst balancing home and work; example from work experience a front office trainee in hotel.
What it means for you in terms of career. – AMA (The American Management Association) model is great example of skills that manager should be having. Model is divided into three sections: knowing and managing self; managing others; managing the business. After critically analysing my skills with this model, I highlighted my areas of improvement in each section, which should help me in my leadership development and becoming manager.
Managing self: Flexibility. When making decision, I look to past experience for data to guide me in current problem solving and might not consider unfamiliar or untested solutions. However, on a work place other colleagues might want to explore new options when deciding. Therefore, flexibility is an important skill that I need to develop for leadership development.
Managing others: Delegating. A potential thread for me, as manager, could be my high standard for work that I might not communicate fully to my team. When that standard is not communicated, coupled with my desire to avoid confrontation, I could end up taking on most of the work on myself. I should learn to delegate even if work does not meet my standards; I could be helping my team grow in professional manner as well.
Managing the business: Innovations and tactical thinking.