Did you know that Mr. Ishii’s MBTI Type is INTJ (Introverted, Intuitive, Thinking, and Judging?)
Well what if I told you that he shares his type with Walter White, Susan B. Anthony, and Elon Musk?
Since its creation in 1962, the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator has been widely used to assess personality and cognitive abilities, and even aid in hiring decisions. It is prominently used as a tool for self improvement and a creative force for character development. However, since its launch, the reliability and scientific validity of the test have been called into question as our society and workplace culture have developed
MBTI is a very useful tool for assessing people’s skills, knowledge preferences, and areas for improvement in learning and workspaces. Conflicts often arise in work or group projects due to differences in how people think and behave, as well as their varying skill sets. These misunderstandings can waste a lot of time and emotional energy, leading to a lack of productivity. This means that the MBTI test can help people with different cognitive functions work together by identifying potential conflicts. People with different personalities can complement each other, with extroverted individuals encouraging introverted people to be more open and introverted individuals helping extroverted individuals take more time for self-reflection. Additionally, “thinking types” tend to focus on a specific task at hand and “feeling types” focus on the relationships with others in order to complete a task. MBTI can assist individuals in identifying suitable career paths and activities based on their preferences and strengths, providing them with the knowledge to pursue their goals.
Although MBTI has its benefits and practical applications, it also faces several criticisms that are commonly raised against it. One of the most significant concerns is that it can be restrictive in its approach, as it only considers a limited set of factors that affect our behavior. For instance, the test does not take into account other vital aspects like our values, experiences, or cultural background, which can significantly influence our personalities. Different cultures have their own social norms that can influence how people behave in social situations. For instance, some cultures may encourage individuals to be reserved and polite, while others may encourage them to be more outgoing and expressive. This can lead to individuals being mislabeled as introverts or extroverts based on their cultural backgrounds. As a result, the MBTI may not provide a comprehensive or accurate understanding of an individual’s psychological makeup. MBTI can be misused to typecast or categorize individuals rather than recognize their individuality and intricacy.
In my opinion, the MBTI concept is impressive and useful, not just in the workplace but also in daily life. It has helped me gain a better understanding of people, and appreciate different perspectives and approaches to life. Although some may argue that the test is limited and not entirely scientifically backed, as long as it is used as a guide and not as complete fact, it proves as an essential tool in gaining information into the psyche of others at any given point in their life. Understanding that all of us bring different perspectives and strengths within a community, workplace or even family, helps us all navigate each other to work together to problem solve.
