MBTI

How sustainable do you think you are?

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Posted 24 April 2024 by
Kevin Wood, Global Marketing

New research from The Myers-Briggs Company shares how MBTI® personality type affects views on sustainability and environmentally-focused organizations.

MBTI-centered Leadership Development Helps 16,000 Nurses Improve Patient Care

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Posted 11 March 2024 by
Melissa Summer, The Myers-Briggs Company

Delivery nurses and midwives find their voice and better leadership skills to improve patient experience on a large scale, online, in this case study

The MBTI® Step II™ Assessment - Uncovering the DNA of personality type

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Posted 27 December 2023 by
Melissa Summer, The Myers-Briggs Company

What is the MBTI Step II and what are facets? Learn more about uncovering the DNA of personality type in this blog.

How to use the MBTI® assessment with the Strong Interest Inventory® assessment

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Posted 28 November 2023 by
Kevin Wood, The Myers-Briggs Company

Learn where interests and personality type combine to improve career planning 

Why knowing your personality type is critical to a growth mindset

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Posted 24 November 2023 by
Global Marketing, The Myers-Briggs Company

If people think ability is innate, it could be holding them back

How personality type affects team performance and job satisfaction

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Posted 16 November 2023 by
Global Marketing, The Myers-Briggs Company

New research sends clear message to team leaders

Should personality assessments be used in hiring?

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Posted 14 November 2023 by
Global Marketing, The Myers-Briggs Company

How to decide if and when to include personality assessments in the selection proces

Uncover the (in)visible elements of team success

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Posted 21 September 2023 by
Author Vanessa Bradford

There are many psychological factors that affect team success. This article helps managers and leaders understand how those factors affect performance – and why the MBTI personality assessment is one of the best opportunities for growth.

Leadership wake-up call: how’s your team’s orientation?

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Posted 18 September 2023 by
Vanessa Bradford

In the workplace, there are hidden elements that can make or break team success. This blog post helps managers and leaders understand the importance of team orientation – and the role inclusive leadership plays in boosting it.

The worst thing about teams? Poor leaders

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Posted 11 September 2023 by
Kevin Wood, The Myers-Briggs Company

New research explores team performance, job satisfaction, and the role of personality type

Enhancing communication in teams

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Posted 08 September 2023 by
Melissa Summer, The Myers-Briggs Company

In this post we explore practical strategies for improving team communication and recommend tips to improve how team members interact on the job.

Working Across Cultures

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Posted 23 August 2023 by
Melissa Summer, The Myers-Briggs Company

What are the biggest challenges people face working across cultures? Listen to this episode of The Myers-Briggs Company Podcast with Frank Garten, cross-cultural expert and global leadership trainer to learn how to mitigate cultural challenges and improve communication.

Unlocking Team and Leadership Potential through FIRO Certification

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Posted 11 August 2023 by
Melissa Summer and Kevin Wood, The Myers-Briggs Company

In the ever-evolving landscape of HR and training and development, organizations are recognizing the significance of assessments in unlocking individual and team potential. Among these assessments, the Fundamental Interpersonal Relations Orientation (FIRO®) assessment stands out as a powerful tool for team development and leadership growth.

Psychological Needs of Teams

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Posted 25 July 2023 by
Melissa Summer, The Myers-Briggs Company

In this episode of The Myers-Briggs Company Podcast, we’re joined by Dr. Marta Koonz, Principal Consultant for The Myers-Briggs Company, as she walks us through insights around using psychological needs to better work relationships and improve teamwork.

Harnessing the power of personality type through MBTI Certification

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Posted 24 July 2023 by
Melissa Summer & Kevin Wood, The Myers-Briggs Company

What can you do with an MBTI certification? Learn more about popular applications of the MBTI tool like leadership and team development, and why becoming an MBTI certified practitioner could be your best professional investment.   

 

Personality in the news

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Posted 20 July 2023 by
Melissa Summer, The Myers-Briggs Company

See the latest news coverage of The Myers-Briggs Company personality assessments and articles featuring our in-house experts and psychologists, including links to all third-party sites.   

 

How stress and personality type affect leader’s risk tolerance & decision-making

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Posted 12 June 2023 by
Sherrie Haynie, Senior Director of US Professional Services for The Myers-Briggs Company

Stress can affect a leader’s approach to risk which is strongly tied to investment and business strategy. But if a leader knows how their personality type affects their natural approach to risk-taking, as well as what stresses them out in the first place, they’re less likely to react to stress by making poor decisions.

MBTI Facts and common criticisms

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Posted 09 June 2023 by
Vanessa Bradford, The Myers-Briggs Company

You may have heard or read things about the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator® (MBTI®) assessment that cause you to question its validity. Here, we’ll address some of the most common criticisms and misconceptions, and answer some common questions about the assessment.

Essential skills for uncertain times

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Posted 03 May 2023 by
Kevin Wood, The Myers-Briggs Company

How do essential skills help organizations adapt to uncertainty and disruptive change? 

Do ambiverts exist?

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Posted 19 April 2023 by
Melissa Summer, The Myers-Briggs Company

We all have some introverted and some extraverted parts of ourselves, but according to the theory of personality types on which the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator® assessment is based, ambiverts don't exist.

The Myers-Briggs Company & MBTI assessment in the news – top articles from 2022

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Posted 19 April 2023 by
Melissa Summer, The Myers-Briggs Company

Where did the MBTI assessment and The Myers-Briggs Company pop up in the news last year? Check out these top articles… 

To be an inclusive leader, you need to understand and respect personality preferences

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Posted 15 March 2023 by
Global Marketing

What does inclusion look like for executives and the people they lead? 

MBTI personality type and relationships

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Posted 31 January 2023 by
Melissa Summer, The Myers-Briggs Company

How can MBTI personality type help strengthen relationships? Do people with the same type get along better? Listen to this episode of The Myers-Briggs Company Podcast to find out! 

Does the MBTI assessment work across cultures?

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Posted 27 January 2023 by
Melissa Summer, The Myers-Briggs Company

The world has been flattened by technology and working across county and cultural borders is now the norm. But can you use the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator assessment across borders? Here’s what you should know.  

Introverts in conflict: what we learned in 2022

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Posted 02 January 2023 by
Kevin Wood, The Myers-Briggs Company

New research and data shows how different personality types approach conflict. But what does it mean for Introverted types? 

How those with an Introversion preference tend to manage and deal with conflict

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Posted 27 December 2022 by
Alex Eggington, Consultant at The Myers-Briggs Company

Research shows that Introverted types handle conflict differently that those preferring Extraversion. Here’s how…

How to build a more effective hybrid workplace

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Posted 24 October 2022 by
Global Marketing, The Myers-Briggs Company

Paying closer attention to employee needs is the way to make remote, in-office, and hybrid teams function better

Get the latest research on conflict at work

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Posted 24 October 2022 by
Kevin Wood, The Myers-Briggs Company

Conflict can be positive. New data and tips help you learn how to manage it.

Conflict at work: what are your options?

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Posted 05 October 2022 by
Melissa Summer, The Myers-Briggs Company

If conflict management is something you dread, here’s how to start turning it around

Galderma Skincare Uses the MBTI® Tool to Navigate Major Company Change

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Posted 03 October 2022 by
Melissa Summer, The Myers-Briggs Company

How does a skincare giant smooth out the wrinkles of organizational change?

Connecting with the people you lead

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Posted 28 September 2022 by
Melissa Summer, The Myers-Briggs Company

Dr. Martin Boult shares his expertise on leadership and connection in this episode of The Myers-Briggs Company Podcast.

Leadership, Extraversion & Introversion

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Posted 24 August 2022 by
Melissa Summer, The Myers-Briggs Company

What should leaders be aware of about these well-known personality differences?

Were you asked if you wanted to go back to the office?

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Posted 24 May 2022 by
Kevin Wood, The Myers-Briggs Company

If not, you might be part of a hybrid strategy that’s about to fail.

Social contracts, returning to the office and retaining your people in the new hybrid workplace

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Posted 20 May 2022 by
Melissa Summer, The Myers-Briggs Company

As employees return to the office, they’re expecting more flexibility in their social contracts with employers. How can HR help?

Why inclusion is the key to diversity

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Posted 11 April 2022 by
by Kevin Wood, The Myers-Briggs Company

For diversity to thrive, inclusion is a must.

Another way to look at stress

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Posted 29 March 2022 by
Kevin Wood, The Myers-Briggs Company

How FIRO helps people to build trust in their relationships, improve morale and reduce stress in the workplace.

Available now: Psychology of change in the hybrid workplace

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Posted 23 March 2022 by
by Melissa Summer, The Myers-Briggs Company

Change is inevitable. And as the hybrid workplace becomes a new normal for many organizations, it brings specific benefits and challenges to managing uncertainty and successfully implementing change initiatives.

How to develop high potential people using MBTI personality insights

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Posted 09 February 2022 by
Melissa Summer, The Myers-Briggs Company

HR professionals get insight into team dynamics, individual strengths and more with potential leaders when using the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator assessment.

Holiday stress & personality: Tips for each MBTI type

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Posted 17 December 2021 by
Melissa Summer, Global Content Marketing Manager

Are your employees stressed about the holidays? Help them recognize their stress triggers and better manage stress with better understanding of their personality type

Using Personality Assessments for Team Building

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Posted 15 December 2021 by
Melissa Summer, Global Content Marketing Manager

How can personality assessments like the MBTI tool help teams work together more effectively and understand each other better?

Patrick Lencioni on team trust, vulnerability, and the MBTI® assessment

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Posted 13 January 2021 by
Kevin Wood, Writer at The Myers-Briggs Company

The author of 5 Dysfunctions of a Team shares his insights on the MBTI assessment for individual and team development...

Leading while Black and introverted

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Posted 27 August 2020 by
Melissa Summer, Global Content Marketing Manager, The Myers-Briggs Company

What happens at the intersection of race, type and leadership? 

Survivor guilt and the aftermath of lockdown

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Posted 17 July 2020 by
John Hackston, Head of Thought Leadership, The Myers-Briggs Company

Does personality impact survivor syndrome?

The changing shape of teams

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Posted 22 October 2019 by
The Myers-Briggs Company

Teams and Google’s Project Aristotle

Personality, gender and the glass ceiling

Personality, gender and the glass ceiling
Posted 02 June 2019 by
John Hackston, Head of Thought Leadership

Women form half of the UK population, yet less than 5% of CEOs of Fortune 500 companies are female.  In 2018, only 6.3% of heads of state were female and most nations have never had a female leader.  What’s more, there are fewer female CEOs of Fortune 500 companies than there are male CEOs named James.  Plain old-fashioned sexism could be part of the reason for this, but other factors have been suggested.  Women are more likely than men to have a more interpersonally or...

Traditional or Original?

Traditional or Original
Posted 07 December 2018 by
MBTI Talk

MBTI Step II facets and the holiday season

Reduce, reuse, recycle

Reduce_reuse_recycle
Posted 01 August 2018 by
Stu Belcher, Product Manager at OPP

Our commitment to reducing our impact on the environment

Together, not together

Together, not together image
Posted 18 July 2018 by
John Hackston, Head of Thought Leadership, OPP

Want to stop people speaking to each other? Put them in an open-plan office

Type and activism

Type and Activism
Posted 13 July 2018 by
Gill Coombs, writer and career coach

Gill Coombs, writer and career coach, shares her thoughts on Idealists and activism

The power of Introversion

The power of introversion
Posted 10 July 2018 by
OPP

Are introverts being limited by misconceptions?

Approaching the unknown

MBTI Step II
Posted 09 May 2018 by
Michael Segovia

How MBTI Step II facets affect our attitude to new experiences

Taking action on stress

stress-awareness-blog-icon
Posted 22 April 2018 by
Helen Rayner, Lead Consultant, OPP

In light of Stress Awareness Month, OPP Lead Consultant Helen Rayner asks what we mean by ‘awareness’.

MBTI Step II: why I found it to be a perfect fit

Mike Moss explores MBTI
Posted 29 March 2018 by
Dr Mike Moss, Alumni Careers Programme Manager, University of Oxford

How can two people with the same type be so different? Mike Moss explores MBTI type and why we sometimes feel at odds with our best fit.

Does knowing your MBTI type help you to get fit?

Fitness
Posted 16 January 2018 by
John Hackston, Head of Thought Leadership, OPP

Did you make a plan to get fit this year? John Hackston looks at the interaction between MBTI type and exercising preferences.

Christmas, happiness and your MBTI type

Christmas
Posted 05 December 2017 by
Nikhita Dost, Consultant at OPP

What does your MBTI type have to do with your enjoyment at Christmas? We conducted research to find out.

Raising self-awareness: What works

Self awareness
Posted 21 November 2017 by
Helen Rayner, Lead Consultant, OPP

Do people with different type preferences use the same or different methods to develop their self-awareness?

How does personality type affect self-awareness?

Self awareness
Posted 30 October 2017 by
Helen Rayner, Lead Consultant, OPP

Continue to explore research around self-awareness – this time focusing on the role of your MBTI type.

Self awareness

Self awareness
Posted 28 September 2017 by
Helen Rayner, Lead Consultant, OPP

Research results are in! How do people benefit from improved self-awareness and how do they get there?

Well-being and type: what’s the connection?

Well being
Posted 06 September 2017 by
Dr. Martin Boult Senior Director, Professional Services and International Training, and Psychologist, CPP

How does your MBTI type impact your well-being? See what the research says. 

Well-being: it's more than happiness

Well being
Posted 22 August 2017 by
Dr. Martin Boult Senior Director, Professional Services and International Training, and Psychologist, CPP

Three tips to improve well-being in your organisation

Reflections on my first 18 months as an MBTI practitioner in the University of Oxford

Reflections as an MBTI practitioner
Posted 10 August 2017 by
Dr Mike Moss, Alumni Careers Programme Manager, University of Oxford

Reflections on the first 18 months of an MBTI practitioner.

Increasing your behavioural flexibility

Spring
Posted 17 July 2017 by
Aidan Brass

The goal of type development should not be equal strength in all the preferences, but to have behavioural flexibility.

Type and Appreciation - Part 2

Type and appreciation
Posted 29 June 2017 by
Michael Segovia, lead facilitator for the MBTI Certification Program, CPP, Inc.

How do you show your appreciation and thanks of other people? 

Type and Appreciation - Part 1

Type and appreciation
Posted 22 June 2017 by
Michael Segovia, lead facilitator for the MBTI Certification Program, CPP, Inc.

How do you show your appreciation and thanks of other people? 

The colourful world of personality type

Colour guide
Posted 07 June 2017 by
John Hackston, Head of Thought Leadership, OPP

How you can gain instant insight from colourful MBTI type resources.

Improving business results using the MBTI instrument

Leadership accountability
Posted 24 May 2017 by
Sharon Richmond, Principal, Richmond Associates Consulting

How to use research to create MBTI solutions: this post looks at leadership accountability gaps

The introverted trainer | The Myers-Briggs Company

MBTI Introverted trainer blog thumb 150517
Posted 12 May 2017 by
Michael R. Segovia, M.A., CPP Lead MBTI® Certification Trainer

Any MBTI type can do any job and bring different strengths to the table

Hidden figures

MBTI leadership and organisational culture
Posted 26 April 2017 by
Katy Lyne, Principal Consultant, OPP

Gender, leadership and the pressure of organisational culture

Inside Out, Outside In: a model to accelerate leadership growth

MBTI and leadership - Sharon Richmond
Posted 13 April 2017 by
Sharon Richmond, Principal, Richmond Associates Consulting

Modern leadership in the context of core activities, blind spots and actions for results.

Decisions and Brexit: are you Tough or Tender?

MBTI decision making
Posted 28 March 2017 by
John Hackston, Head of Thought Leadership, OPP

Exploring the MBTI Thinking-Feeling Step II facets in the context of Brexit

Are you an entrepreneur? Knowing your MBTI type could be useful

MBTI Type and Entrepreneurship thumb 220317
Posted 22 March 2017 by
John Hackston, Head of Thought Leadership, OPP

John Hackston explores recent OPP research. 

This girl can

International Women's Day 2017
Posted 08 March 2017 by
Katy Lyne, Principal Consultant, OPP

Myers, Briggs and International Women’s Day

Top MBTI and Type books

Top MBTI and type books
Posted 01 March 2017 by
Collaboration - MBTI experts and practitioners

Which MBTI book will you add to your collection this World Book Day?

MBTI Type, FIRO, love and relationships

Valentine
Posted 14 February 2017 by
Betsy Kendall, VP Global Programmes, Delivery & Content

It must be love

Leadership strengths through the lens of Type

Barriers to early MBTI Type development
Posted 02 February 2017 by
Aidan Millar - Human Development Consultant for Psychometrics Canada

Research Study exploring leadership strengths through the lens of Type

Top content summary from 2016

Top-2016-content-summary
Posted 20 January 2017 by
John Hackston, Head of Thought Leadership, OPP

Did you miss some of the most popular content from last year?

Decisions, self-confidence and the glass ceiling: can the MBTI framework help?

Men and women in executive directorships
Posted 06 January 2017 by
John Hackston, Head of Thought Leadership, OPP

Exploring the glass ceiling using MBTI data.

Ho ho how do MBTI Types differ at Christmas?

Xmas survey
Posted 16 December 2016 by
Nikhita Dost, Consultant at OPP

What does MBTI Type impact when it comes to Christmas? We conducted research to find out...

10 top tips – add depth to coaching with the MBTI framework

Top tips for using MBTI with coaching
Posted 01 December 2016 by
Katy Lyne, Principal Consultant at OPP

Get the most from the MBTI assessment when coaching individuals.

Early obstacles to MBTI Type development

Barriers to early MBTI Type development
Posted 11 November 2016 by
Betsy Kendall, COO and Head of Professional Services, OPP

Raising awareness of challenges to early Type development that we can all consider and explore

Using MBTI Type to get to grips with email – quickly

MBTI Type and email guide
Posted 25 October 2016 by
John Hackston, Head of Research at OPP

Research based tips for more effective email communication between different MBTI personality Types.

MBTI, communication and the Brexit phoney war

MBTI and Brexit change thm 0610
Posted 06 October 2016 by
John Hackston, Head of Research at OPP

Using the MBTI framework to form effective communications during these strange, unknown and stressful times. 

Using Type to 'get' email

MBTI Type and improving use of email
Posted 20 September 2016 by
John Hackston, Head of Research at OPP

How do different MBTI Types use and feel about email? We explore some recent research to see what we can learn

Breaking the ice

OPP Icebreaker Exercise
Posted 12 September 2016 by
Penny Moyle, CEO OPP

Looking for an easy to implement icebreaker? Bingo!

The tallest tree in the forest

Penny Moyle at MBTI user conference 2016
Posted 24 August 2016 by
Penny Moyle, CEO OPP

Answering three common challenges to the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator 

What is your MBTI Type of Sport?

sports table Typies
Posted 03 August 2016 by
Betsy Kendall, COO and Head of Professional Services, OPP

Celebrate the summer of sport by downloading your MBTI Type sport tile

That difficult woman #BloodyDifficultWoman

Gender in leadership
Posted 29 July 2016 by
Penny Moyle, CEO OPP

Personality, gender stereotypes and leadership

How to influence with impact

MBTI Type and influencing 2016
Posted 22 July 2016 by
Penny Moyle, CEO OPP

Damian Killen reveals the role MBTI Type has on successful influencing

Le Tour de France – it's all about high-performing teams

High performing cycling team
Posted 13 July 2016 by
Claire Bremner, Senior Consultant at OPP

Cycling-inspired tips for team and leadership development

What do you get when you fill a room with MBTI enthusiasts?

MBTI user event summary 2016
Posted 07 July 2016 by
Penny Moyle, CEO at OPP

Penny Moyle reflects on an inspiring MBTI user event

Brexit and the challenge of change

Brexit small thm
Posted 24 June 2016 by
John Hackston, Head of Research at OPP

Change is afoot...

The rise of the robots

Are robots taking our jobs thm
Posted 16 June 2016 by
John Hackston, Head of Research at OPP

A robot workforce with personality? Where does the MBTI framework fit in?

What's your MBTI Type garden?

What's your MBTI Type garden?
Posted 25 May 2016 by
Betsy Kendall, COO and Head of Professional Services, OPP

To celebrate Chelsea Flower Show and the #greeninggreybritain theme, we've reimagined each MBTI Type as a garden.

Recovering from stress: Getting back to your best

Stress recovery thm 1305
Posted 13 May 2016 by
Penny Moyle, CEO at OPP and John Hackston, Head of Research at OPP

How knowing your MBTI Type and Core Character can help you recover from stress

FIRO and MBTI: the gold standard tools for coaching

FIRO and MBTI in coaching 2204
Posted 22 April 2016 by
Betsy Kendall COO and Head of Professional Services, OPP and Alice King, Senior Consultant, OPP

How the FIRO tool adds so much value to any MBTI coaching session

Decoding communication issues between MBTI Types

Inside Outside Typies
Posted 02 April 2016 by
Betsy Kendall, COO and Head of Professional Services, OPP

Inside-Outside Typies - a new way to explore Type dynamics by combining Typies and Core Characters

The MBTI instrument - my most valid tool

Hile Rutledge MBTI thumb 2303
Posted 23 March 2016 by
Hile Rutledge, President OKA

One of America’s most respected trainers in the MBTI framework shares his thoughts

More to Fun Type Tables than meets the eye

MBTI FTT thumb
Posted 16 March 2016 by
Betsy Kendall, COO and Head of Professional Services, OPP

Ever wondered why and how we create the Fun MBTI Type Tables?

Introducing the Core Characters of Type

Core characters and dynamics intro
Posted 03 March 2016 by
Betsy Kendall, COO and Head of Professional Services, OPP

How can we make it easier to talk about the real power of MBTI: Type dynamics?

What's your MBTI Type Valentine's sentiment

ValentineMBTItable
Posted 12 February 2016 by
Aidan Millar - Human Development Consultant for Psychometrics Canada and Betsy Kendall - COO at OPP

Fun this Valentine's with MBTI Type - what's yours?

Persuasion people and personality

Posted 04 February 2016 by
John Hackston Head of R&D at OPP

The power of persuasion in the context of MBTI Types - how do they differ?

How should we respond to criticim of the MBTI assessment

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Posted 28 January 2016 by
Penny Moyle, CEO at OPP

CEO Penny Moyle shares a refreshing response...

I feel I have an MBTI preference for Thinking

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Posted 23 December 2015 by
Richard Stockhill MBTI Product Manager

This post explores Richard's experience in struggling to decide on his best-fit Type and how he finally felt comfortable with his preference for Thinking.

What is your MBTI Type Tea

MBTI tea Types
Posted 09 December 2015 by
Betsy Kendall - COO at OPP

Tuesday 15th December is International Tea Day so we're celebrating the 16 MBTI Types in the form of our favourite hot beverage. Which Tea Type are you?

Which Santa is coming down your chimney?

Santa infographic
Posted 30 November 2015 by
Betsy Kendall - COO at OPP

We all know that there’s only one Santa Claus ... or is there? Our fun Type table suggests there may be a few more! Which one would you like to come to your house this Christmas Eve? Take a look at our festive table and download your individual Santa Type here.


Team development and the power of MBTI Step II

MBTI Step II profile example
Posted 25 November 2015 by
Alexis Hutson - Coach and Mentor to Doctors

Alexis Hutson, professional coach and mentor, shares her experience of using MBTI Step II for team development. A great example of the differences between Step I and Step II.

Type tips for coaching and development

Coaching conversation
Posted 20 November 2015 by
Aidan Millar - Human Development Consultant for Psychometrics Canada

Aidan Millar explores how coaches can help clients flex between operating with their natural MBTI preferences and outside them when necessary. 

Stress - it is personal

Stress is personal
Posted 02 November 2015 by
Penny Moyle CEO at OPP and John Hackston Head of R&D at OPP

Quick fixes are great, but what about a long-term solution to managing stress?

Why bother with a questionnaire when working with MBTI Type?

Self development ladder
Posted 26 October 2015 by
Betsy Kendall - COO at OPP

If the goal of the MBTI assessment is to establish best-fit Type, why bother with the questionnaire?

MBTI icebreaker exercise – it’s a numbers game

numbers exercise
Posted 21 October 2015 by
Penny Moyle - CEO at OPP

Great feedback exercise for practitioners, helping to convey the brilliance of the MBTI framework.

Are open-plan offices bad for your wellbeing?

Type and work env
Posted 01 October 2015 by
John Hackston - Head of R&D at OPP

No-one likes open plan offices, so what can we do about it? Check out this research-based advice.

Five most common ways to alienate your staff

thumbs down for managers
Posted 23 September 2015 by
John Hackston - Head of R&D at OPP

The employment market seems to be improving, which is good news for jobseekers but not necessarily for employers; having more jobs available means that there are more opportunities for workers to leave. All the more important, then, that managers don’t give their people that extra incentive to start looking elsewhere. Here are five of the most common ways in which managers can (and unfortunately do) alienate their staff.

FIRO – getting so much from so little

man in office
Posted 17 August 2015 by
Jenny Rogers - Executive Coach at Jenny Rogers Coaching

I am coaching the CEO of a large charity. He’s 55 and has been in his job for nine years. He looks grey and anxious, slumping in his chair. “I’m tired of my team treating me like their parent. It’s hard enough being a parent at home. I’m exhausted, our funding is under threat, I don’t think I want to do this job any more”. He tells me readily that he’s been what he calls ‘psychometrified’ many times; but he’s never taken the FIRO- B assessment...


Coaching using type: insights from Myers, Jung, Adler, Cookie Monster and you! Part 2

Zig zag model
Posted 22 July 2015 by
Jean Kummerow PhD - psychologist and author

This is the second posting based on Jean Kummerow’s keynote presentation at OPP’s MBTI User’s Conference on 16 June 2015. The first post gave background on the ‘Four Crucial Cs’ Adlerian model. This second part describes how to use type within that model.

Coaching using type: insights from Myers, Jung, Adler, Cookie Monster and you!

Cookie Monster
Posted 16 July 2015 by
Jean Kummerow PhD - psychologist and author

As you already know, the practice of Coaching has many iterations and even several definitions. The one I like to use is “a method of assisting individuals to improve their performance in some area”, from Davison & Gasiorwski in the 2006 Journal of Individual Psychology. That definition encompasses so much of what we do with personality type.

What's your perfect Type holiday?

Holidays type table
Posted 28 June 2015 by
Betsy Kendall - COO at OPP

What's your idea of the perfect break? This holiday Type table looks at 16 vacations custom-made for each of the MBTI Types.

Innovation is in everyone's DNA

Damian Killen graphic
Posted 23 June 2015 by
Damian Killen - Managing Director, thrive Consulting

How do chefs create dishes spectacular enough to earn Michelin stars? And what can we do to encourage that same ground-breaking creativity within our organisations? At our MBTI® User Conference last week, MBTI expert and co-author of Introduction to Type and Innovation, Damian Killen provided some really interesting insight into how Type influences the ideas we’re attracted to and how we respond throughout the innovation process.

Top tips for increasing the impact of your team coaching – part 1

teamwork
Posted 18 June 2015 by
Katy Lyne - Principal Consultant at OPP

As an OPP Consultant, I work with many teams across a wide variety of sectors and industries. I was recently talking to a client, herself an L&D practitioner, who asked me about my approach to team coaching – in  particular what my ‘top tips’ were for ensuring that the work had impact and made a real difference to how the team functions. This got me thinking about the key elements involved.

Watch out: overconfident opinion leaders about!

the writing's on the wall for thought leaders
Posted 04 June 2015 by
John Hackston - Head of R&D at OPP

Few people would argue against the concept of thought leadership. Not listening to the views of leaders in our field, or ignoring ideas for better ways of doing things, is hardly a recipe for success. However, individual opinion leaders don’t always get it right, and the catch is that those who sound most confident in their pronouncements aren’t necessarily the most accurate.

Did Little Red Riding Hood have an S Preference?

Red Riding Hood and wolf
Posted 21 May 2015 by
Aidan Millar - Human Development Consultant for Psychometrics Canada

Well, not necessarily. But it is true that her demise could have been attributed to an all-too-common Sensing blind spot: a failure to quickly and accurately recognise how facts and present realities connect to a bigger picture – and often, a very meaningful one.

Push me, pull me - the persuasive power of the MBTI process

comms
Posted 13 May 2015 by
Penny Moyle - CEO at OPP and Lorraine Mills - Head of Consultancy at OPP

Whether or not you are a sales professional, and even if you don’t see selling as part of your job, there are times when everyone needs to influence or persuade. OPP recently worked with a regional sales team in a financial services organisation to help them become more successful. The same techniques we applied there can easily be adapted to create more persuasive communication for anyone – not just sales people.

Re-engage with Type using MBTI Step II

Flipside
Posted 15 April 2015 by
Penny Moyle - CEO at OPP

Last week, I had the pleasure of joining an MBTI Step II qualification workshop for the first time in several years. This revamped workshop incorporates several new ideas to help practitioners to engage their clients in MBTI in general, and the Step II instrument in particular.

Using emotional judgement to reduce biases in decision-making

Decision-making
Posted 10 April 2015 by
Paul Deakin - Business psychologist and psychometrics expert

People make decisions largely on the basis of intuition and emotion. We might like to think otherwise, but it’s true. Even the most logical and rational amongst us find our cognitive functioning heavily influenced by a broad range of both positive and negative emotions.

What plant Type are you?

Plant types
Posted 01 April 2015 by
Richard Stockill - MBTI Product Manager at OPP

Think of your MBTI Type and let your personality flower! We've re-imagined each of the 16 Types as colourful elements of the herbaceous border. If you were receiving MBTI feedback from Monty Don, Alan Titchmarsh or Charlie Dimmock, it might look something like this...

Does being true to yourself make you happier?

authentic seal
Posted 12 March 2015 by
Gaby Walker - R&D Consultant at OPP

Many leaders leave much of their ‘true’ personality at home and try to present themselves at work in the way they think a leader should operate. Leaders absorb these ‘should’ models of leadership from how they see leaders behaving around them (for good or ill), as well as from hoping to emulate leaders generally held up as great: eg Churchill, Branson, etc. On top of this, over the years leadership courses have advocated different styles of leadership, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. Leaders can feel they should be all things to all men; but isn’t it better for leaders to just be themselves, natural and authentic, whether at home or in the workplace?

Trends in global leadership: where does type fit in?

What will leaders need slide
Posted 29 January 2015 by
John Hackston - Head of R&D at OPP

This world of ours is changing. That’s hardly an earth-shattering statement. What’s less obvious is that change is happening more and more quickly – it’s difficult to visualise what the world will be like in five years time, still less in 10, 20 or 30 years. And yet this is what organisations need to do. Today’s new entrants, graduates and management trainees will be tomorrow’s leaders, and we need to prepare them for the challenges ahead.

2015 - a year to celebrate coaching

coaching tree
Posted 22 January 2015 by
Penny Moyle - CEO at OPP

Coaching has always been an important part of the L&D service that OPP’s consultancy offers. It’s also the mainstay of the practice for many of our independent practitioner customers. Why is there such a demand? In short, organisations need their leaders to develop a great range of responses to the challenges they face, and to develop greater psychological resilience. Additionally, many organisations are seeking to develop coaching skills among line managers, knowing that this too can have a significant and positive impact on organisational performance.

Top five blog articles of 2014

What's your type tipple?
Posted 29 December 2014 by
OPP Ltd

Visits to our Personality Matters Blog were at an all-time high in 2014, and we covered a wide range of topics in our weekly posts. Over the last 12 months we've talked about the best MBTI-based books and the various resources available for L&D teams. We’ve promoted Movember, and we’ve chipped in to the Paul Flowers furore. We've continued to thrive as thought leaders in a diverse range of workplace psychology issues, from recruitment and assessment centres to polarity management. But what are the top five posts that readers have returned to again and again?

Your type of Santa

Santa type table
Posted 28 November 2014 by
Betsy Kendall - COO at OPP

If you were Santa, how would you approach the job? Our festive type table makes some type-based, tongue-in-cheek suggestions.

Top 10 best-selling practitioner resources

shopping cart image
Posted 24 November 2014 by
OPP

To celebrate the launch of the new shop we thought it would be useful to highlight the most popular resources that have been purchased through our online ordering during 2014. These are the items that our customers find most useful (along with the many popular reports ordered by practitioners via OPPassessment). How many of them are in your portfolio of essential resources?

What type time is it?

time
Posted 22 October 2014 by
John Hackston - Head of R&D at OPP

Time. An ethereal concept, or a real resource? Something elastic, or an uncompromising task master? Sometimes there seems to be too much of it, and at other times never enough. Our relationship with time is one that travels with us through the stages of life and helps us to get things done .... or not… or eventually! Do we live in the future, the past, or the here and now? And what about the person next to you? You are both here and now, but are you really?

Six videos that help illustrate MBTI type

E-I vid by Susan Caine
Posted 10 October 2014 by
Betsy Kendall - COO and head of Professional Services at OPP

Training aids that are memorable and that bring clarity to descriptions of MBTI® type are like gold dust. One of the commonest questions I come across in the various MBTI-related Linked In groups, including OPP’s own OPP Qualified Practitioners, is the plea for good exercises to help illustrate the MBTI preferences and dichotomies.

Time to have some serious fun in L&D – part 3: getting sticky!

MBTI Step I typies
Posted 30 September 2014 by
Penny Moyle - CEO at OPP

The point of bringing more fun into MBTI development is to help create impact and make the learning memorable. In order for people to get lasting value from their MBTI experience, we need these concepts to ‘stick’; to be something they take away from the training room and can come back to time and again. With this in mind, we’ve created Typies™.

Time to have some serious fun in L&D – part 2

Core character poster
Posted 18 September 2014 by
Penny Moyle - CEO at OPP

Twenty years ago when I first started using MBTI in management development work, training room props were thin on the ground. I would often lead a development session armed with nothing more exotic than flip charts and masking tape for ‘living type table’ exercises.

Ten more books about MBTI and type that you can't afford to be without!

16 Personality Types
Posted 12 September 2014 by
sitecore\OPP Ltd

In the second of our blog posts looking at 20 invaluable books about MBTI® and type, we review another ten titles that have impressed MBTI practitioners or been a key support in their work with the MBTI assessment. As with the first batch, the books featured here are listed in no particular order, and comments are from individual reviewers who responded to our request for reviews on the Linked In group OPP Qualified Professionals.

Time to have some serious fun in L&D – part 1

OPP on Pinterest
Posted 04 September 2014 by
Paul Sullivan

L&D is a serious business. Get it right, and you can transform an organisation, propelling it to high performance. Get it wrong, and the consequences can be dire.

Timelines and personality – tracking type in space and time

MBTI functions
Posted 27 August 2014 by
John Hackston - Head of R&D at OPP

One of the criticisms that people often level at the MBTI questionnaire is that it ‘puts you in a box’. MBTI practitioners, however, know that this isn’t true – although we will have many similarities to people of the same type, there are also many ways in which we are unique. Whatever our underlying psychological type, we have all been brought up in different environments, and this will have a big influence on our personality and behaviour too.

Ten books about MBTI and type that you can't afford to be without!

Was that really me?
Posted 20 August 2014 by
Paul Sullivan

Which books about MBTI® and type have had the biggest impact on practitioners? We posted this question on the Linked In group OPP Qualified Professionals earlier this year, to discover the titles that had most impressed and inspired practitioners or been a key support in their work with the MBTI assessment. Twenty books rose to the top of the pile. Here are the first ten – in no particular order – with comments from the individual reviewers.

MBTI ‘aha!’ moments and ROI – where is the evidence?

Kirkpatrick Model
Posted 14 August 2014 by
sitecore\Richard Stockill - R&D Consultant at OPP - and Alice King - Principle Consultant at OPP

We love hearing the ‘aha!’ or ‘lightbulb’ moments when individuals experience the profound insights that the MBTI framework can bring. We know that these insights can lead to increased awareness, such as valuing the diversity of people’s views, or developing a more flexible approach to working with others. However, are anecdotal reports of great impact enough to convince us as consultants, and our community of qualified practitioners, that MBTI interventions are in fact worthwhile investments?

What's your MBTI sports type?

Sporting MBTI types table
Posted 29 July 2014 by
Philippa Davis - R&D intern at OPP - and Betsy Kendall - COO at OPP

Reflecting on the fantastic sporting prowess displayed at the 2014 Commonwealth Games, we wondered which sports best capture the essence of each MBTI type. Here’s what we came up with - what do you think? Please feel free to share alternative suggestions!

Why are you dreading the football World Cup?!

Why I hate the World Cup
Posted 12 June 2014 by
Betsy Kendall COO and Head of Professional Services at OPP

With the World Cup upon us, the prospect of hearing about little else on the news for the next six weeks and seeing very little of my husband for the duration, I wondered if type might have anything to do with why some of us really aren’t enamoured of the “beautiful game”. So, I give you this type table. Please take it with a large pinch of salt: if you don’t like football you’ll probably agree with many of the statements. Whatever you do, don’t use it to work out what your type is! If you want to know that, take the MBTI questionnaire! I’d love it if you have other type-related reasons you’d like to share. I’d also really like to put together a table of reasons why each type loves football, but I’m afraid you football fans are going to need to help me out...

Celebrate with 25 free resources for practitioners

OPP at 25 logo
Posted 28 May 2014 by
TeriSmith

Few things in life are free – but OPP has some really cool free resources to support you in your work! To help celebrate our 25 years in the business, we’ve taken a trawl through the various goodies available for zero outlay on our website. They range from white papers and feedback materials to fun quick guides and infographics – many of which can also be found on our practitioner downloads page.

What type of shoe are you?!

What type of shoe are you?
Posted 16 May 2014 by
$username

Think of your MBTI type... and then re-imagine it as a type of shoe! There are more possibilities than you'd think: cosy slippers or feisty firefighter's footwear? Boots for exploring other worlds or flip flops made of fish? Have fun with your type using our latest type table!

What's your type tipple?

What's your type tipple?
Posted 02 April 2014 by
Paul Sullivan

If your MBTI type was a drink, what would it be? A fiery flaming sambuca or a complex vintage wine? An irrepressible energy drink or a zen green tea? Discover your type tipple with our alternative type table!

Being Lost

Being lost, looking at map
Posted 10 March 2014 by
TeriSmith

I once travelled a lot with an INFP. As an ESTJ, our styles were quite different. I would notice, for example, that we could be within two blocks of the hotel and he would have no clue as to how to get there, yet he would never admit he was lost nor would he ask for directions. Perhaps this was a guy thing, but perhaps it was a type thing, too!

Top five blog articles of 2013

Top 5
Posted 17 January 2014 by
TeriSmith

The blog has been increasing in popularity over the last year. We've celebrated 70 years of the MBTI system with posts on best practice, ethics and the diversity of applications; we've blogged about topical events such as the horsemeat scandal, the European elections and Andy Murray's Wimbledon win; and we've continued to thrive as thought leaders in a diverse range of workplace psychology issues, from stress to benchmarking to onboarding and retention. But what are the top five posts that have kept readers coming back again and again?

Accelerating learning about type

Morph man accelerates away on a rocket
Posted 15 January 2014 by
TeriSmith

Introducing people to the MBTI instrument is the highlight of my role at OPP. Friends question me if I’m bored training the same content over and over, but I’m still passionate and excited to do it. Every workshop is different, as every delegate comes to a deeper understanding of personality preference in terms of what it means to them, and experiences their own personal ‘light bulb’ moments. However, the danger with training the same topic is that we might lapse into our favourite or most comfortable ways of training, and not keep up with the latest thought leadership about how people learn. I imagine MBTI practitioners running team events or group feedbacks have the same challenge.

Test your MBTI knowledge with our fun Christmas quiz!

Posted 17 December 2013 by
TeriSmith

You’ve tripped over the tinsel, you’ve eaten too many mince pies and you’re the only one who came to the office Christmas party dressed as an elf. Cheer yourself up by feeling all smug about your MBTI® knowledge, and carry on counting down to the holidays.

MBTI type and seasonal shopping – Christmas cheer or Christmas chore?

Christmas presents
Posted 06 December 2013 by
TeriSmith

Some people leave their Christmas shopping until the last minute, while others have had everything sorted since the previous January sales. Some enjoy working through their Christmas lists amongst the buzz of high street shoppers, while others prefer facing the Christmas consumer blow-out online.

You don't have to be motivated to work here, but it helps!

Bored in the office
Posted 27 November 2013 by
TeriSmith

According to a recent CIPD report, job turnover has slowed significantly over the past 15 years. This means that, in general, people are choosing to stay in their current roles rather than make voluntary exits (ie resignations and retirement). On the surface it might appear to be nothing but good news for an organisation that much-valued members of staff are choosing to stay. However, for this to be a wholly positive trend, people need to be staying put for the right reasons...