Measurement Tools

The Challenge

The success of a business is dependent on the interactions of its people.   Those interactions are most effective and yield the best results when the persons involved trust and understand one another.   This is especially evident in teams.  To be an outstanding team, working together cohesively and effectively, the members of that team require a number of skills; most critically the ability to balance group dynamics and manage conflict.   But people are inherently different from one another and when a person behaves differently to the way in which we would have behaved in the same situation, it can lead to anger and mistrust.   With knowledge of their own and the rest of their team’s personality types, a team can not only understand why their colleagues behave differently to the way they would have behaved but can also learn how to adjust their own behaviours to get the most from one another.   The challenge for teams and organisations is in identifying type, learning what impact type has on learning and behaviour and getting the team on board with the process.

The Solution

At Mindstrong we have a number of Business Coaches who are trained in administering the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI).   This psychometric test is arguably the world’s most widely used personality assessment tool and is supported by a large body of evidence spanning several decades of research.   The test measures people on how they make decisions according to how they perceive the world.   Respondents are rated on four different scales and, based on their responses, are categorised into one of 16 different personality types.

The four scales or dichotomies are:

• Introversion/Extroversion – looks at people’s attitudes and measures the way in which they behave and how they direct their energy
• Sensing/Intuition – measures the way people perceive, understand and interpret new information
• Thinking/Feeling – measures the way in which people make judgements and decisions
• Judgement/Perception – measures the extent to which people prefer to use either Sensing/Intuition or Thinking/Feeling when relating to the outside world.

The research that supports the MBTI and its common use within businesses both help to promote engagement in the process.   Because respondents can often be suspicious of being labelled a certain type, the use of such a well-known and widely-used tool reduces scepticism. This must also come however from clear instruction on what the results of the test will be used for.

Overview

The MBTI is administered to respondents with an emphasis that it does not measure ability, only preference for type. It is also crucial that respondents know that there are no right or wrong answers.   Prior to completion, a Mindstrong Business Coach will ensure respondents understand why they are taking the test and the ways in which it facilitates effective team work.   Respondents should also be made aware that there are no preferred types, the most highly effective teams usually contain a broad range of types.

Your Mindstrong Business Coach will distribute, gather and calculate the scores/types.   Each individual will be given a detailed description of their own type.

At this stage work can then begin on understanding the preferences of the other members of your team and putting into place processes that will enhance team performance, taking into account the different types of the team.

Who’s it for?

The MBTI is suitable for individuals and teams alike. Whilst extremely beneficial in facilitating team excellence and heightening team performance, individuals can also benefit. For individuals it brings greater self-awareness and aids in personal development by improving the way in which an individual communicates with their colleagues.

Knowledge of the MBTI can also lead people to be more patient and understanding of others’ behaviour.

Pricing

• Please contact us for further information.