1. Working more Effectively with Others
More information about MBTI and the characteristics of each type can be found at:
www.opp.com/en/tools/mbti/mbti-personality-types
Extraversion / Introversion
For E working with I:
• To get the best out of them, I’s need time to think things through – give them that space by
e.g. providing meeting notes in advance.
• When you ask a question, stay out of their silent space, ask your question then give them a
moment (or more!) to reflect.
• You need I’s to help you consider your ‘inner world’ rather than concentrating on everyone
else.
• You need I’s to supply deeper thinking on concepts and theories that might be relevant.
For I working with E:
• To get the best out of them, E’s need to talk things through – give them that space by e.g.
having a group brainstorming session.
• Protect your silent space by saying ‘that’s a good question, let me think about it for a
moment’ so you have time to reflect before answering.
• You need E’s to help you consider the ‘external world’ rather than thinking of things from
your own point of view
• You need E’s to give voice to your ideas, which might remain unarticulated otherwise.
Sensing / iNtuition
For S working with N:
• To get the best out of them N’s want the end goal/vision and the space to fill in the facts –
give them that.
• Get input from N’s to get the full picture
• You need N’s to help you see the future possibilities, patterns and connections you may
have missed.
For N working with S:
• To get the best out of them, S’s need facts, evidence, reasoning – give them that.
• Get input from S’s to get the full picture
• You need S’s to help you see the facts, details and gaps you may have missed.
2. Thinking / Feeling
For T working with F:
• If you don’t go through the values behind your decisions, F’s will react cynically.
• Give appreciation and feedback to F’s using personal words e.g. I really appreciate all the
effort you put into that...’
• You need F’s to help you consider the values issues in your decisions.
• You need F’s to help you understand and deal with others.
For F working with T:
• If you don’t go through the logic behind decisions, T’s will react cynically.
• Give appreciation and feedback to T’s using task words e.g. ‘You did a really good job on
that...’
• You need T’s to help you create more logical, convincing arguments.
• You need T’s to help you analyse a situation.
Judging / Perceiving
For J working with P:
• Produce a plan but provide flexibility for P’s
• As long as they deliver on time, give P’s the freedom to work in their own way and don’t
impose too much structure on them.
• You need P’s to help you slow down your decision making so you consider all the relevant
options.
• You need P’s to help you stop feeling that you must be responsible for everything.
For P working with J:
• Remember to include a small element of planning for the J’s.
• Update J’s with your progress now and again to ensure they don’t get too stressed.
• You need J’s to help you set and keep deadlines so you will complete tasks you start.
• You need J’s to help you see that sometimes you can make a decision without considering all
the options.
European data set on prevalence of types in gender and roles etc:
http://www.opp.eu.com/SiteCollectionDocuments/pdfs/resources/mbti_step_i_european_data_sup
plement.pdf