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Tuesday, December 9, 2008

MBTI

I had to write my focal evaluation last week. I hate writing an evaluation for myself because it's almost like I have to self praise myself and boast of all my accomplishments. My MBTI profile is ISFJ, and ISFJs don't like to boast about their accomplishments. Below is a description of my personality which I find quite true for myself (not 100%, but a lot of it) except for the first line because I have a good boss :).

http://www.typelogic.com/isfj.html

ISFJs are often unappreciated, at work, home, and play. Ironically, because they prove over and over that they can be relied on for their loyalty and unstinting, high-quality work, those around them often take them for granted--even take advantage of them. Admittedly, the problem is sometimes aggravated by the ISFJs themselves; for instance, they are notoriously bad at delegating ("If you want it done right, do it yourself"). And although they're hurt by being treated like doormats, they are often unwilling to toot their own horns about their accomplishments because they feel that although they deserve more credit than they're getting, it's somehow wrong to want any sort of reward for doing work (which is supposed to be a virtue in itself). (And as low-profile Is, their actions don't call attention to themselves as with charismatic Es.) Because of all of this, ISFJs are often overworked, and as a result may suffer from psychosomatic illnesses.

In the workplace, ISFJs are methodical and accurate workers, often with very good memories and unexpected analytic abilities; they are also good with people in small-group or one-on-one situations because of their patient and genuinely sympathetic approach to dealing with others. ISFJs make pleasant and reliable co-workers and exemplary employees, but tend to be harried and uncomfortable in supervisory roles. They are capable of forming strong loyalties, but these are personal rather than institutional loyalties; if someone they've bonded with in this way leaves the company, the ISFJ will leave with them, if given the option.

Like most Is, ISFJs have a few, close friends. They are extremely loyal to these, and are ready to provide emotional and practical support at a moment's notice. (However, like most Fs they hate confrontation; if you get into a fight, don't expect them to jump in after you. You can count on them, however, run and get the nearest authority figure.) Unlike with EPs, the older the friendship is, the more an ISFJ will value it. One ISFJ trait that is easily misunderstood by those who haven't known them long is that they are often unable to either hide or articulate any distress they may be feeling. For instance, an ISFJ child may be reproved for "sulking," the actual cause of which is a combination of physical illness plus misguided "good manners." An adult ISFJ may drive a (later ashamed) friend or SO into a fit of temper over the ISFJ's unexplained moodiness, only afterwards to explain about a death in the family they "didn't want to burden anyone with." Those close to ISFJs should learn to watch for the warning signs in these situations and take the initiative themselves to uncover the problem.


My company requires everybody to take a MBTI test to determine our personality. So far I found it quite accurate for other colleagues as well (well almost...) and it helped me understand their personalities.

Since I was such a MBTI believer because it was quite accurate for me and for some people I know, I asked Yin How to take the test. You can try taking the test too from the link below. It's the Harry Potter version, but it still works.

http://piratemonkeysinc.com/quiz.php

His personality type is INTP (almost the exact opposite as me). When I read his personality description, I just couldn't believe it. I even went through all 4 letters individually again and again to make sure that they really correspond to his personality type and I concluded that yes, he should be an INTP.

However when putting all 4 types together, the description says that he a person who "may venture so deeply into thought as to seem detached, and often actually are oblivious to the world around them" and he should be a ROCKET SCIENTIST. He's in the same category as Albert Einstein and Isaac Newton.... Those who really know Yin How will find this so funny.

I no longer believe in MBTI that much anymore.

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