How to Use the MBTI in Executive Coaching ?
The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) is a popular tool used in executive coaching to gain insight into personality preferences and types. It’s a vital instrument that provides a comprehensive understanding of individual uniqueness, and helps people to better understand themselves and others. If you are a leader in an organization, you might be wondering how to leverage the MBTI to bring out the best in your team.
Understanding the MBTI
Before you can effectively use the MBTI in your coaching or leadership practice, it’s important to understand what it is and how it works. The MBTI is a psychometric questionnaire designed to measure psychological preferences in how people perceive the world and make decisions. It was created by Katharine Cook Briggs and her daughter Isabel Briggs Myers based on the typological theories proposed by Carl Jung.
Carl Jung’s research
Jung identified four psychological functions that are experienced in either an extraverted or introverted form, making up a total of eight different personality preferences. When applied in coaching, the MBTI provides an insightful way of understanding your client’s personality type. By letting your client complete the MBTI, you can gain valuable insights into their preferences, which can guide your coaching approach.
Applying the MBTI in Coaching
In business organizations, the MBTI can be used, as executive coaching tool, to support your managers in various ways. It can help them gain self-awareness, understand their leadership style, improve their communication skills, and and lower their stress.
The MBTI can also be used to identify potential areas of growth and development. For instance, if your colleague is an introtraverted thinking type, they might excel at logical decision-making but struggle with understanding and managing their emotions.
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The MBTI and Leadership Development
The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator can also play a vital role in leadership development. Understanding one’s personality type can help leaders identify their personal leadership style and the impact they have on their team.
A leader who is a “Thinking” type, for example, may be very rational and logical in their decision-making process, while a “Feeling” type leader may make decisions based on personal values and impact on people. Understanding these preferences enables leaders to leverage their strengths and address areas of improvement. We highly recommend you to get help from a MBTI Practionner.
Leveraging the MBTI for Team Contribution
The MBTI is an effective tool for maximizing team contribution. By gaining insights into each team member’s personality type, leaders and coaches can assign roles and tasks that align with each member’s natural preferences and strengths.
For instance, individuals with a preference for “Sensing” are typically detail-oriented and practical. They might excel in roles that require meticulous attention to detail and a hands-on approach. On the other hand, “Intuitive” types are usually big-picture thinkers who thrive in roles that involve strategy development and innovation.
Other publications on the same topic
- 16 Personality Types Test
- How to choose a MBTI Consultant
- Myers Briggs Type Indicator: MBTI Characters
- Myers-Briggs Type Indicator: MBTI Chemistry
- Myers-Briggs Type Indicator: What Does Introvert Mean
- Rare Personality Type: MBTI
- Team building activities with MBTI types
- The MBTI Test
- Tips for a good MBTI team building
- What are the possible results with MBTI?
This article has been written by Marc Prager.