May 2009

"We may be equal but we are not the same."

This truth has guided my work as a counselor and coach for almost three decades, and the Myers Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) has been part of my professional repertoire for most of that time. I’ve used the MBTI in premarital counseling to help young couples understand their differences in how they perceive the world before those varied perspectives became negative tug of wars. It has been my tool of choice in relationship discord counseling, as it helps people locked in conflict stop defending their behaviors and begin to understand those of their peer or partner. MBTI has helped me see how my children differ from me—and each other—and why my husband does those “crazy things” that make sense to him, but not to me!

The insights provided by temperament typing allowed me to navigate my way through numerous professional groups and to help others find a way to better adapt to their colleagues’ way of perceiving. These insights and experiences have convinced me of the MBTI’s value in both personal and professional life. Just as we all need help understanding and adapting to new or different cultures, the MBTI provides us with a productive lens with which to better understand all of the other people in our lives. Simply put, they do not see the world the same way I do.

There are a vast number of books and articles that will help you better understand the MBTI and how it to use it. Some of my favorites are classics in the field. I think you’ll find these resources helpful as you begin to better understand what makes you and those around you, tick. Load up on these books and explore how MBTI can help cast light on all of the people who make up your world.