Introduction to the MBTI

Conceived in the 1940's, the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator^® (MBTI^®) is the world's most widely used personality inventory.  Currently, organizations use this tool for many purposes.  Examples include: Teambuilding, increasing personal productivity, career planning, understanding customers, and developing communication skills.  Numerous associations, books, periodicals, and even an Internet newsgroup, focus on the science behind the instrument and its many benefits.


The MBTI is based on our individual preferences for processing information, and it determines how we prefer to use perception and judgment.  The inventory provides a way to help separate what we truly prefer to do, from what we are asked or required to do.


Most importantly, there are no right or wrong responses on the MBTI -- only differences.  This means you can use the results to understand yourself as well as others, without the usual biases and preconceptions.  The tool is intended to be a beginning point, never an end.  No instrument can explain all the complexities of human preference, personality, or behavior.  A tool such as the MBTI, however, can provide insight into "core" aspects of how we make decisions, strategize, and use and access information.


Whether in personal relationships or in organizational settings, the use of this tool moves beyond awareness and "tolerance" of differences, and focuses on LEVERAGING those differences -- to gain diversity in discussion, efficiency and effectiveness in actions, and result in more complete decisions and strategies.

Myers-Briggs Type Indicator^® (MBTI^®) are registered trademarks of Consulting Psychologists Press.