The Myers-Briggs assessment was developed by Katherine Cook Briggs and her daughter, Isabel Briggs Myers, and was first published in 1962. The background is interesting as it started with Katherine being intrigued by Isabel’s fiancé and how differently he approached the world. The research to get to the assessment we see today took over 20 years. The full story can be found here.
What You Will Learn
The report provides you with one of 16 personality types. These 16 are created by the combination of four different insight areas:
- Introversion (I) vs. Extroversion (E) – This pair dives into how we gain energy. Introverts will tire if they are around people for too long and need to spend time alone to recharge. In contrast, extroverts gain energy when they are interacting with others.
- Intuition (N) and Sensing (S) – The second pair evaluates how we consume information. Intuitive thinkers look at patterns across information and consider the big picture. Sensing types notice more details in the facts and what they take in with their five senses.
- Thinking (T) and Feeling (F) – This pairing focuses on decision making. Thinkers are focused on logic and facts while feeling types are driven by empathy and emotion.
- Judging (J) and Perceiving (P) – The final pair focuses on the structure of our lives. Judging types look for organization and planning to guide their life. Perceiving types are more flexible and spontaneous with their day to day.
Taking the Assessment
The assessment has around 100 statements that you respond to on an “agree vs. disagree” scale based on how strongly you feel about each. Depending on how quickly you respond to the questions, the assessment can take 10-20 minutes.
You can take the assessment from the official company for $49.99 at this link. There are also free online assessments. Of those, the one by 16 personalities would be my recommendation. That link is here.
My Story
The Myers-Briggs was the first personality assessment I ever took back in the 1990s. The results described me so well and I learned a great deal about how an understanding of myself could make me stronger in interactions with others.
Today, I recommend the insights of Myers Briggs as a compliment to many areas of self-awareness and personal development. An example is the use of the E/I pair to evaluate your energy throughout the day and establish routines that keep you at your best from morning to night.
Your Turn
Have you taken the Myers-Briggs?
If so, what insights did you find most valuable?
Did you discover anything new about yourself from the assessment?