Ahhh...Myers-Briggs. I love it. Spot on for me.
I've been an ENTP-A most of my life.
I think I first found that out in high school. I've probably taken the test 5 or 6 times since then. I haven't taken it in many years now; so I expected the results to change at least a little bit as we tend to grow softer with age. But nope. This time it was the same. ENTP-A.
Another awesome test, and one that I believe would make the world a much better place if we focused on it is the "Strengthsfinder" test. Set up by Gallup, with over 60 years of research- it truly focuses in on an individuals strengths or as they call them "talents". I have used it in my personal life as first an employee and then as an author, husband, and father. I really believe it helped me be a better parent to my son. I had him take the test when he was 12, and again last year. It really helped him understand to work on focusing on and seeking out opportunities to utilize his strengths and not his weaknesses.
In the United States, we have this almost pathological need to point out faults in ourselves and each other. Corporations are built on focusing on and eliminating the weaknesses of their employees. In our culture we're practically taught this from birth. Dog eat Dog; only the strong survive; take no prisoners; eliminate the weak...Its really bad.
I'll give you an example of how it happens every day.
For all of you parents out there---if your son or daughter came home with a report card with the following grades, how would you honestly react:
MATHS: F
LANGUAGE ARTS: B
SCIENCE: A
HISTORY: C
READING: A
ART: C
What would you do? If you're honest, most of you would freak out on the F grade in Maths (I know it's MATH, I just wanted the Brits to feel good so I called it maths).
So you'd get little Johnny a tutor perhaps, or make him spend extra time at home on maths during homework, or you'd threaten him by taking away privileges, or maybe go to see his math teacher, or call a guidance counselor. If you're like some parents you'd even go to the family doctor to have Johnny tested for ADhD. So Johnny would REALLY then struggle mightily to get the F grade up to a passing grade. He'd work tirelessly on improving his grade. And while you as a parent shouldn't ignore the F; even with all that extra work, little Johnny pulls that grade up to a.....D, or maybe if he's lucky a C. Instead, what you should do is, of course get Johnny help with his Maths (you can't ignore it..it's important); but more importantly focus the bulk of the work and attention on his strengths. Help him develop that which he's already strongest in to help him further develop his talents and skills. Help Johnny really soar in what he's great at with his Science and Reading.
Strengthsfinders focuses on an individuals personality strengths and characteristics. Which is what more companies and society as a whole should really be focusing on instead of what it does today.
If you get the chance, buy the book and take the test. It could just change your life.
With Strengthsfinder it gives you your top five strengths or more appropriately Talents, out of 34 possibilities.
Mine are:
1. Ideation-- People strong in the Ideation theme are fascinated by ideas. They are able to find connections between seemingly disparate phenomena.
2. Individualization-- People strong in the Individualization theme are intrigued with the unique qualities of each person. They have a gift for figuring out how people who are different can work together productively.
3. Input-- People strong in the Input theme have a craving to know more. Often they like to collect and archive all kinds of information.
4. Strategic-- People strong in the Strategic theme create alternative ways to proceed. Faced with any given scenario, they can quickly spot the relevant patterns and issues.
5. Woo-- People strong in the Woo theme love the challenge of meeting new people and winning them over. They derive satisfaction from breaking the ice and making a connection with another person.