This is why I've been attracted to Gallup's Clifton Strengths. Much more data driven and individualised. I'm working with a Clifton Strengths coach as I enter the second 20 years of my worklng life to ensure I'm focussed on doing something where I both get and add value.
I love Clifton Strengths. I'm not a psychologist or whatever, but if you read the books and take the test, it makes for a very good "guide" to follow. Not black and white, but a guide.
I'm a "learner" with "woo" who takes "responsibility". Therefore, I love my IT engineering work and love to share what I've done. Learn the tech, teach it to my team, and be responsible when I break stuff. Made my career much more fulfilling than blindly following a corporate ladder to middle management.
Honestly, I started reading this with one eye open while snoozing with my pets, hoping for some relationship advice. 🤨😐🤔🫣🤭🤣 I love it! What a thoughtful and beautifully composed argument for growth and change! Thanks for linking the different assessments. Might need to mosey on over and do some “look in the mirror” as part of my personal growth commitment and journey. Gracias!
In my 10-year full-time coaching practice, I constantly have to "warn" my newly-diagnosed adult (over 18 years old) clients NOT to "disclose" right away. THEN I warn them about their possible assessments during their job search! I share the truth about the MBTI, The Big 5 AND recommend that they watch "Persona" on Netflix. ADHD'ers might think of themselves as introverted or extroverted based on the time of day. AND...they always think that the "other one" is better than the other, lol. This type of inequality, in my eyes, is the EXACT reason I sought a Professional Career Coaching ICF Credential ALONG with my ADHD Coaching/Life Coaching Credentials, two master's degrees and 12 years of teaching. In my 20's and 30s, I worked in "corporate" America as a buyer for all Lord & Taylor stores. For the last ten years, I have been on a personal and, at times, lonely mission to support all ADHD Adults with career choice, company research, branding, networking, connecting with people and thus, career success! For most people with ADHD, a good career choice is being motivated by work so they can get out of bed each morning. People with ADHD are often empaths and need to take the time to find a business environment that is a good match for THEM. People with ADHD can be anything they want to be...and these assessments should NOT stop anyone from realizing their dreams! Unfortunately, ADHD'rs are also VERY impulsive and usually take the first job they are offered. If more people took time to work with a coach or professional to identify their interests, strengths, skills, AND dreams...then the MBTI would not be so significant.
I was coming to say things along this line. Additionally if you are autistic (or AuDHD). Practically this cult of personality testing undermines and invalidates disability, and in many cases it is the disabler. One of the primary reasons that I'm writing this a 2:30am on a Monday morning and the reason that many of us are criticised rather that supported, or held back from advancement or not hired is because of people with neurodevelopmental disabilities* being marginalised by Personality Tests and EQ. *it makes me sick to refer to neuro-difference in that way but that's the ableist paradigm we live in.
Reading this was both painful and funny. Painful because my organization just paid $100 for each member of my team to take and be coached in MBTI. Funny because I could definitely see how personal this has gotten. And yes, I've also kind of broken up with MBTI and have started going out with Big Five. I've found it more helpful and insightful than the MBTI.
What is really painful is realizing how many people are really impacted by the results of the MBTI. I know that can be extreme, but it is REAL. I found the documentary "Persona" to be very interesting!
I’ve just been asked to develop and organize not only an attitude/aptitude assessment but skills assessments as well for skilled trades. I was planning on diving (more) into your work and stumbling across this article made my day! I LOVE YOUR WORK 👏 👏
MBTI is the truth! Jung was an INTJ and every INTJ picks up on this better than anyone else. Sensors don’t like MBTI because they’re close minded and it exposes that… Big five is only useful for hiring people. -INTJ “OCEAN” is my big five and I couldn’t care less
I love your take on this, especially as I work with a lot of neurodivergent adults for whom many of these personality tests are meaningless. And because my own personality type keeps changing, depending on where I am in my life at that point. I think of them in the same way I approach my Magic 8 ball (which I do use to make decisions): They help me clarify what I think about myself already. I'll see something that confirms what I want to believe about myself and think, "Yes! That's exactly it!" And then I'll see something that I don't want to believe about myself and think, "Oh, I must have answered that question incorrectly. That's not what I meant." So at least they provide a vocabulary to help me describe what I want to believe about myself.
Psychologist love to dump on MBTI coz it’s not “scientific”. reality is it’s a useful and that’s why hundreds of thousands of people use it - but like all tools it depends on the skill of the person wielding the tool.
This is why I've been attracted to Gallup's Clifton Strengths. Much more data driven and individualised. I'm working with a Clifton Strengths coach as I enter the second 20 years of my worklng life to ensure I'm focussed on doing something where I both get and add value.
I love Clifton Strengths. I'm not a psychologist or whatever, but if you read the books and take the test, it makes for a very good "guide" to follow. Not black and white, but a guide.
I'm a "learner" with "woo" who takes "responsibility". Therefore, I love my IT engineering work and love to share what I've done. Learn the tech, teach it to my team, and be responsible when I break stuff. Made my career much more fulfilling than blindly following a corporate ladder to middle management.
Honestly, I started reading this with one eye open while snoozing with my pets, hoping for some relationship advice. 🤨😐🤔🫣🤭🤣 I love it! What a thoughtful and beautifully composed argument for growth and change! Thanks for linking the different assessments. Might need to mosey on over and do some “look in the mirror” as part of my personal growth commitment and journey. Gracias!
In my 10-year full-time coaching practice, I constantly have to "warn" my newly-diagnosed adult (over 18 years old) clients NOT to "disclose" right away. THEN I warn them about their possible assessments during their job search! I share the truth about the MBTI, The Big 5 AND recommend that they watch "Persona" on Netflix. ADHD'ers might think of themselves as introverted or extroverted based on the time of day. AND...they always think that the "other one" is better than the other, lol. This type of inequality, in my eyes, is the EXACT reason I sought a Professional Career Coaching ICF Credential ALONG with my ADHD Coaching/Life Coaching Credentials, two master's degrees and 12 years of teaching. In my 20's and 30s, I worked in "corporate" America as a buyer for all Lord & Taylor stores. For the last ten years, I have been on a personal and, at times, lonely mission to support all ADHD Adults with career choice, company research, branding, networking, connecting with people and thus, career success! For most people with ADHD, a good career choice is being motivated by work so they can get out of bed each morning. People with ADHD are often empaths and need to take the time to find a business environment that is a good match for THEM. People with ADHD can be anything they want to be...and these assessments should NOT stop anyone from realizing their dreams! Unfortunately, ADHD'rs are also VERY impulsive and usually take the first job they are offered. If more people took time to work with a coach or professional to identify their interests, strengths, skills, AND dreams...then the MBTI would not be so significant.
I was coming to say things along this line. Additionally if you are autistic (or AuDHD). Practically this cult of personality testing undermines and invalidates disability, and in many cases it is the disabler. One of the primary reasons that I'm writing this a 2:30am on a Monday morning and the reason that many of us are criticised rather that supported, or held back from advancement or not hired is because of people with neurodevelopmental disabilities* being marginalised by Personality Tests and EQ. *it makes me sick to refer to neuro-difference in that way but that's the ableist paradigm we live in.
“And I said you might be more like a horoscope than a heart monitor.”
….You and me both!
I was laughing. I say this all the time to my new adult clients - who have been told by their parents and friends to take the MBTI!
If only all opinion and research papers were this engaging! Great Sunday morning read and something to think about. Thanks!
Reading this was both painful and funny. Painful because my organization just paid $100 for each member of my team to take and be coached in MBTI. Funny because I could definitely see how personal this has gotten. And yes, I've also kind of broken up with MBTI and have started going out with Big Five. I've found it more helpful and insightful than the MBTI.
What is really painful is realizing how many people are really impacted by the results of the MBTI. I know that can be extreme, but it is REAL. I found the documentary "Persona" to be very interesting!
Love this! Absolutely hilarious
As a nomad I’d love to hear more about the big five
Beautiful, melodious, and caused me to have a potential break-up with MBTI too.
My blog post about personality assessments is outdated (https://souledout623.wordpress.com/2023/01/09/let-no-personality-go-unanalyzed/). Pardon while I go take the Big 5...
I’ve just been asked to develop and organize not only an attitude/aptitude assessment but skills assessments as well for skilled trades. I was planning on diving (more) into your work and stumbling across this article made my day! I LOVE YOUR WORK 👏 👏
You have not met the Enneagram.
But.... I'm a 6! /s 😜
Yes. I am.
Thanks Adam ..you made my day with this analysis. Couldn't agree more!
MBTI is the truth! Jung was an INTJ and every INTJ picks up on this better than anyone else. Sensors don’t like MBTI because they’re close minded and it exposes that… Big five is only useful for hiring people. -INTJ “OCEAN” is my big five and I couldn’t care less
I love your take on this, especially as I work with a lot of neurodivergent adults for whom many of these personality tests are meaningless. And because my own personality type keeps changing, depending on where I am in my life at that point. I think of them in the same way I approach my Magic 8 ball (which I do use to make decisions): They help me clarify what I think about myself already. I'll see something that confirms what I want to believe about myself and think, "Yes! That's exactly it!" And then I'll see something that I don't want to believe about myself and think, "Oh, I must have answered that question incorrectly. That's not what I meant." So at least they provide a vocabulary to help me describe what I want to believe about myself.
One note: The link to the NEO questionnaire at the bottom is broken. I think it should be pointing here (https://www.personalitytest.net/ipip/index.html) for a choice between the original or shorter versions of the IPIP-NEO, or here (https://www.personalitytest.net/ipip/index.html#ipip1) to go directly to the original 300-question version.
Psychologist love to dump on MBTI coz it’s not “scientific”. reality is it’s a useful and that’s why hundreds of thousands of people use it - but like all tools it depends on the skill of the person wielding the tool.
I’ll add to the other comments … we all want to know your Enneagram number and your take on it - ha! I left the MBTI for the Enneagram :)
Hi Adam: What is your relationship (!) with the enneagram? Occasional date? None??