Personality Types and Team Work

Angelica M. Morgan

[The ideas in this tutorial are derived from Kroeger, Otto (with Janet Thuesen). 1992. Type Talk at Work. New York: Dell Publishing.]

Table of Contents

Introduction to Typewatching
Personality Types
Typewatching in Team Situations
Time Management
Conflict Resolution
Problem Solving/Brainstorming

Introduction to Typewatching


At this point in your academic career, you have surely realized that not everyone thinks, works, or acts like you. Nowhere does this become more obvious than in an assigned group or team situation. It is easy to label co-workers as lazy, crazy, or disorganized when their behavior does not match your expectations, but such name calling rarely helps us understand personality differences.

Typewatching is a way to begin to understand personality differences and to turn such differences into group strengths. First discussed back in the 1920s by the Swedish psychologist, Carl Jung, type theory suggests that human behavior is not random but predictable and classifiable. According to this theory, everyone is born predisposed to certain personality preferences. Typologists have devised four pairs of preference alternatives, as stated below:

Extraverted (E) or Introverted (I)
Sensing (S) or iNtuitive (N)
Thinking (T) or Feeling (F)
Judging (J) or Perceiving (P)

A simple test is available on the World Wide Web to approximately locate your personality preferences, which are described as a four-letter combination (such as ISFP, or ENTJ). To find out your preferences, you could take the test. When reading the results that are returned to you, please go by the letters identified rather than interpret the graphic scale provided; it could be deceptive. Also, please do not consider these results as an absolute and accurate assessment of your abilities or your worth; this exercise is only meant to provide more direction to your discussion of working together as a team.

Please read what the person who created the Web-based test has to say about the test:
The test has 70 questions that all require an A or B answer. The Keirsey book doesn't give any directions for taking the test, but I'd like to mention a few things. Many of these questions can be frustrating because you will find yourself wanting to choose a "c" option that isn't listed or because you'll say, "Well, it depends." There's not a lot I can suggest to get around these problems. But do keep in mind that the test is trying to get at your basic personality traits. So try to answer with what you think would be the most typical or natural or most enjoyable result for you. Don't think, for example, of how you behave to please your boss or to satisfy your spouse. Answer with what you do when you're being you. I think a good rule of thumb here is that the answer that tends to pop into your head quickly is probably the best answer (unless you didn't understand the question at first reading).

Personality Types


While everyone has some introversion and some extroversion, or some thinking and some feeling characteristics, the test will help you identify which alt ernatives you prefer to use. A brief explanation of each type follows:

Extravert or Introvert?

This category deals with how we prefer to interact with the world and how we prefer to get our energy and stimulation. Extraverts are energized by other people and action. They are talkers, often thinking out loud, interrupting people at meetings, or bursting into a co-worker's office to ask an opinion, and then not really listening to it. Extraverts become drained when they have to spend too much time alone; they need other people to function. Introverts, on the other hand, get their energy from their own thoughts and ideas, rather than heated discussions. Introverts rarely speak up at large meetings, preferring listening to talking. Introverts need alone time, especially after spending a few hours with people.

Introverts are outnumbered by extraverts by about three to one in America. Extraverts are often rewarded in school, by participating in class discussions, and at work, because they are popular and outgoing. Introverts, on the other hand, are often undervalued because they keep their best to themselves.

Sensor or iNtuitive?

This category deals with how we prefer to gather information about the world. As the name implies, sensors prefer to use their five senses to gather information. Sensors are quite literal, preferring facts and details to interpretations. If a hard-core sensor asks what time it is, he or she expects to hear "11:07 a.m.," and not "a little after 11" or "about 11." About 70 percent of Americans are sensors. For iNtuitives, on the other hand, everything is relative. They aren't late unless the meeting has started without them. iNtuitives look at the grand scheme of things, trying to translate bits of information, through intuition, into possibilities, meanings, and relationships. Details and specifics irritate iNtuitives.

iNtuitives see the forest; sensors see the trees. When working with sensors or iNtuitives, it is important to remember these differences. Sensors prefer to learn through sequential facts; iNtuitives through random leaps. The task- "Please sort through these surveys" - means something entirely different to sensors and iNtuitives.

Thinker or Feeler?

This category deals with how we make decisions. Thinkers base their decisions on objective values, and are often described as logical, detached, or analytical. Some thinkers are thought of as cold or uncaring because they would rather do what is right than what makes people happy. In contrast, feelers tend to make decisions based on what will create harmony. Feelers avoid conflict; and will overextend themselves to accommodate the needs of others. Feelers will always "put themselves in somebody else's shoes" and ask how people will be affected before making a decision.

This is the only personality type category related to gender. About two-thirds of all males are thinkers, and the same proportion of females are feelers. There often are problems in the workplace for those who don't conform to their gender's preference. For example, a feeling man is labeled a "wimp." Much more negatively, a thinking woman is "unfeminine," she "has a chip on her shoulder" or much worse. Thankfully, nobody is 100 percent thinker or 100 percent feeler (as with the other personality types). Everyone, to some extent, cares, thinks, and feels, but final decisions are reached through very different routes, based on a person's true personality preference.

Judger or Perceiver?

This category deals with how we orient our lives. Judgers are structured, ordered, scheduled, and on-time. They are the list makers. Judgers wake up every morning with a definite plan for the day, and become very upset when the plan becomes unraveled. Even free time is scheduled. Perceivers, on the other hand, rely on creativity, spontaneity, and responsiveness, rather than a plan or list, to get them through the day. They burn the midnight oil to meet deadlines, although they usually meet them. Perceivers like to turn work into play, because if a task is not fun, they reason, it is probably not worth doing.

Experts say that this personality type difference is the most significant source of tension in the workplace and in group work. Perceivers prefer to keep gathering information rather than to draw conclusions. Judgers prefer to make decisions, often ignoring new information that might change that decision. Hence, the conflict. The authors of the book contend that a good balance of judgers and perceivers are necessary for a well-functioning work group. Judgers need light-hearted perceivers to make them relax, and perceivers need structured judgers to keep things organized and reach closure on projects.

Typewatching in Team Situations


When typewatching, it is important to keep in mind the old "whole is greater than the sum of its parts" rule. A person's extraversion may be easier to spot than his or her sensor characteristics. Keep in mind the complexities of putting the four preferences together. People with three of the same preferences and only one difference can be quite opposite in personality or outlook on life. Typewatching is much easier on paper than it is in real life!

However, having information about personality types and preferences can be quite useful. Once you understand the basic personality preferences under which people operate, as well as your own preferences, you can begin to find ways to more effectively work with opposite types or even your own type. Through typewatching, you can find ways to build upon people's strengths and improve many group activities, such as time management, conflict resolution, problem solving, and team building. An overview is provided below.

Time Management


Judgers/Perceivers:

Time management is primarily a judger/perceiver issue. The authors contend that when it comes to time management, it's a judgers' world. J's have their homework done on time, their projects done on schedule. In a time-conscious society, people who are slave to their clocks get ahead. People who are constantly late are said to "have problems with authority." Unfortunately, society's J preoccupation with time sometimes leads to poor results. The authors cite a hard-core Js slogan as: "We don't have time to get it right. We only have time to do it over."

In groups, judgers need perceivers to help them avoid being overly rigid and compulsive. Ps help Js stay open to creative solutions. Js, in turn, help Ps complete a project in a realistic time frame.

Introverts/Extraverts:

Introverts are usually perceived as being better time managers because thinking about a problem or issue takes less time than talking about it. Extraverts, through their need for constant engagement, use up their own time as well as that of others.

To work effectively, Is need to realize that at some point, they have to talk: to let the rest of the group in on their thoughts. Conversely, Es need to stop talking at some point and start listening. Is and Es need to periodically schedule breaks in discussions and work to give I's time to reflect and recharge.

Sensors/iNtuitives:

Sensors perceive a minute as sixty seconds; iNtuitives perceive time as what you make of it. This often leads to misunderstandings and hard feelings. When working together, S's and N's must learn to accommodate each other. Sensors must be flexible in realizing "an hour meeting" might sometimes mean 90 minutes. iNtuitives, on the other hand, must realize that they sometimes must stick to a time-exact schedule.

Thinkers/Feelers:

Thinkers schedule their time based on the day's priorities, regardless of the nature of the tasks. Feelers set up their schedules according to the people with whom they will interact throughout the day. Feelers will usually avoid conflict, putting off unpleasant meetings, such as an employee reprimand. It is important to remember that both preferences are valid. If you alienate half of your staff in the name of getting things done, your day might be classified as less than successful. On the other hand, you need to do more in a day than making everyone happy; you need to get work done.

Additional Time Management Tips:

Conflict Resolution:


Thinkers/Feelers:

Differences in this personality preference by far are most significant in conflict resolution. Thinkers want feelers to deal with the facts and not personalize everything. Feelers want thinkers to consider the feelings of all those involved. Both types are afraid of losing control. T's are afraid they will lose control if an issue becomes personal and they appear to be personally affected by the conflict. F's are afraid that they will say something during a heated discussion that will cause irreparable harm to an interpersonal relationship. To work together, both types must simply realize that there are no right or wrong ways to approach conflict resolution, only differences.

Tips on resolving conflict:
Extraverts think they can talk their way out of any situation. The key to conflict management for extraverts is to occasionally take a time out from talking and listen to what others are saying.
Introverts need to get their side of the story out in the open. As difficult as it is for introverts to speak up at meetings, it is imperative to ensure conflict resolution.
Sensors need to occasionally look beyond the obvious facts and consider extenuating circumstances.
iNtuitives want to always look at the big picture. A bit of focus goes a long way in resolving simple conflicts.
Thinkers must allow others to express emotion, even if they are unable to do so. Emotions are an integral part of conflict resolution.
Feelers should not apologize for showing emotion. At the same time, they must occasionally say something frank, or even mean. People will respect their honesty.
Judgers must learn to accept the fact that the world is not always black and white. They must learn to entertain points of view other than their own.
Perceivers have both the blessing and the curse of being able to see all sides of an argument. A devil's advocate is sometimes counterproductive in conflict resolution. Ps should learn to defend the position about which they feel most strongly.

Problem Solving/Brainstorming


Some people solve problems; others create problems. Here are some tips for each of the personality types to use their traits to improve the problem solving process. However, remember the importance of balance. Don't go too far in pushing your personality traits. For example, feelers can help ensure that the personal consequences of every alternative are weighed, but getting too emotional and personal will reduce your credibility.
Just as in conflict resolution, Es need to make an effort to listen. They should avoid the temptation to jump in every time there is a pause in the discussion.
Is need to avoid their natural tendency to filter everything they say. Sometimes problem solving requires brainstorming and spontaneity.
Ss have the natural ability to express the problem to be solved in tangible, simple terms. They also have a tendency to supply facts and figures that can be extremely helpful in problem solving.
When everyone else in the group sees only gloom and doom, Ns have the ability to find creative solutions to turn something bad into something good. Ns should point out the alternatives and make sure each is thoroughly examined.
Ts can help the group see if it has become too attached to a problem. Ts can help keep things in perspective, including the cold, hard consequences of each alternative.
Fs can ensure that the personal consequences of every alternative are clearly defined. They also can go a long way in ensuring group harmony during the problem solving process, by ensuring everyone has a chance to express their ideas.
Js can help keep the group oriented on the ultimate goal: solving the problem. Js can also ensure that whatever solution is reached can be implemented in a timely and efficient manner.
Problem solving offers Ps the opportunity to be the devil's advocate. A few pointed questions can lead to better solutions.
(February 20, 1996)