What the Myers-Briggs Personality Test Can and Can’t Tell You
Key Takeaways
- The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) can provide insights into one’s psychological preferences and personality type, potentially identifying strengths, weaknesses, and areas for improvement. However, results should be taken with a grain of salt as they are not always entirely applicable in business and career settings.
- The MBTI cannot accurately measure passion, the influence of immediate environment, or the potential to deviate from the ‘rules’ of one’s determined personality type. It serves as an interpretation rather than a definitive scientific measure of personality.
- Despite its limitations and criticisms, the MBTI can provide value for individuals seeking to understand themselves better and identify potential opportunities for success. It should be viewed as one tool among many and not be used as the sole basis for making important life decisions.
The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) is an assessment that is believed to measure psychological preferences in how people perceive the world and make decisions. According to the Myers-Briggs test, there are 16 different types of personalities. The test consists of a series of questions, and your answers determine what type of personality you have and provides general assumptions about how your personality type is best suited for success in terms of careers, communication, etc.
The test is commonly used in many different business-oriented settings, including:
- Leadership development
- Team building
- Screening and interviewing employees
- Career selection
- Personal development
Myers-Briggs has been used for decades, but it is commonly criticized as a “soft” tool that produces results that aren’t always relevant enough to be applied fully in business and career settings. But despite the criticism, the Myers-Briggs test offers a lot of value for small business owners and freelancers who want to learn more about themselves and identify potential opportunities for greater success, provided the results are taken with a grain of salt.
Here are some examples of what the Myers-Briggs personality test can and can’t tell you.
You May Discover…
Why You Behave in Certain Ways
Some personality types are better suited for some situations, and knowing where you fall on the scale can make it easier to understand where you’re most comfortable and why. If you’re an introverted-sensing personality type, for example, you may be more inclined to smaller, structured settings, while your extroverted-feeling colleagues may like big, loud gatherings. (Explore the 16 personality types for more on this.)
Renewed Confidence
Have you always felt as if you were a natural born leader, or that your free-thinking nature could be a tremendous asset in a team setting? Your personality type comes with many different observations and interpretations that can make you more confident in what you know are your strengths.
Areas Where You Can Improve
If the test shows that you tend to have a weakness in following structured directions, taking a leadership role or asking for help, you can gain an awareness of those elements and work to improve them over time.
It Won’t Tell You That…
You’re Passionate about Something
The test may tell you that you have a personality type that tends to be more scientific than creative, but perhaps you love a creative activity, such as painting. Your passion for something can change the interpretation of the results of your test.
Your Immediate Environment Plays an Unmeasured Role
If you take the test today and you’re under an unusual amount of stress, dealing with a negative situation and feeling a certain way, your results may be different from a day you take the test after you’ve gotten a great piece of news and are in an overall positive mood.
You Can Break the Rules
The Myers-Briggs test asks you to answer a list of questions in one of two ways, then interprets your results, but it’s interpretation, not science. If your stated personality type comes with recommendations that you choose not to adhere to or some you believe don’t apply to you, ignore them. You won’t necessarily be any more or less successful based on the data gathered from the test.
As long as you take the recommendations as only one part of the big picture, personality tests such as Myers-Briggs can give you a new insight that you can use to fine tune your business goals, activities and priorities. And they can teach you a lot about yourself.
How to Take the Test
There are a number of services that will allow you to take the Myers-Briggs test and then evaluate your answers for a fee, but you can also take a version of the test for free here: http://www.humanmetrics.com/cgi-win/JTypes1.htm.
Have you taken a personality test? Do you think it helped you in your business or career?
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Myers-Briggs Personality Test
What is the scientific basis of the Myers-Briggs Personality Test?
The Myers-Briggs Personality Test is based on the psychological theories of Carl Jung. It was developed by Katharine Cook Briggs and her daughter Isabel Briggs Myers. The test categorizes individuals into 16 different personality types based on four dichotomies: Extraversion vs. Introversion, Sensing vs. Intuition, Thinking vs. Feeling, and Judging vs. Perceiving. However, it’s important to note that while the test is widely used in various settings, its scientific validity and reliability have been questioned by some psychologists.
How reliable is the Myers-Briggs Personality Test?
The reliability of the Myers-Briggs Personality Test has been a subject of debate among psychologists. Some studies suggest that the test has good reliability, meaning that it produces consistent results over time. However, other studies have found that as many as 50% of people get different results when they retake the test after a period of time. Therefore, while the test can provide some useful insights, it should not be used as the sole basis for making important decisions about one’s career or personal life.
Can the Myers-Briggs Personality Test predict career success?
While the Myers-Briggs Personality Test can provide some insights into one’s preferences and tendencies, it is not designed to predict career success. Career success depends on a variety of factors, including one’s skills, experiences, motivation, and the specific demands of the job. Therefore, while the test can be a useful tool for self-reflection and career exploration, it should not be used as a definitive guide to choosing a career.
How can I use the results of the Myers-Briggs Personality Test?
The results of the Myers-Briggs Personality Test can be used as a tool for self-understanding and personal growth. By understanding your personality type, you can gain insights into your strengths, weaknesses, and preferences. This can help you make more informed decisions about your career, relationships, and personal life. However, it’s important to remember that the test is just one tool among many and should not be used as the sole basis for making important life decisions.
Is the Myers-Briggs Personality Test culturally biased?
Some critics argue that the Myers-Briggs Personality Test is culturally biased, as it was developed based on Western psychological theories and may not accurately reflect the values and behaviors of non-Western cultures. Therefore, while the test can provide some useful insights, it should be used with caution and interpreted within the cultural context of the individual.
Can the Myers-Briggs Personality Test be used for hiring decisions?
While the Myers-Briggs Personality Test can provide some insights into an individual’s preferences and tendencies, it is not designed to predict job performance and should not be used as the sole basis for hiring decisions. Hiring decisions should be based on a comprehensive evaluation of an individual’s skills, experiences, and fit with the job and the organization.
Can the Myers-Briggs Personality Test change over time?
While some people report consistent results over time, others report changes in their Myers-Briggs Personality Test results. This may reflect changes in one’s self-perception, life experiences, or the inherent variability of the test. Therefore, while the test can provide some useful insights, it should not be used as a definitive measure of one’s personality.
How can I take the Myers-Briggs Personality Test?
The Myers-Briggs Personality Test can be taken online through various platforms. However, it’s important to note that the official test is copyrighted and requires a fee. There are also many free versions available online, but they may not be as accurate or reliable as the official test.
What are the limitations of the Myers-Briggs Personality Test?
The Myers-Briggs Personality Test has several limitations. First, its binary nature may oversimplify the complexity of human personality. Second, its reliability and validity have been questioned by some psychologists. Third, it may not accurately reflect the values and behaviors of non-Western cultures. Therefore, while the test can provide some useful insights, it should be used with caution and interpreted within a broader context.
Can the Myers-Briggs Personality Test help me understand my relationships?
The Myers-Briggs Personality Test can provide some insights into your preferences and tendencies, which can help you understand your interactions with others. However, it’s important to remember that relationships are complex and influenced by many factors. Therefore, while the test can be a useful tool for self-reflection and understanding, it should not be used as the sole basis for making decisions about your relationships.
Alyssa Gregory is a digital and content marketer, small business consultant, and the founder of the Small Business Bonfire — a social, educational and collaborative community for entrepreneurs.
