Introverted (I) 
Reserved, listen carefully, prefer solitary activities, more comfortable when alone than when around other people, get exhausted by social interaction 

Intuitive (N) 
Introspective, rely on their imagination, absorbed in ideas, focus on what might happen 

Feeling (F) 
Sensitive, follow their hearts, keep feelings close to the surface, focus on harmony and cooperation 

Perceiving (P) 
Probing, prefer keeping their options open, reluctant to commit, relaxed about their work, seek freedom

That is what I am. It is amazing to me how a special combination of four letters could describe me so well. So what is it that they stand for? Well, they connect to my Myers-Briggs Temperament Type a.k.a. The Idealist.

According to the website: http://www.16personalities.com/infp-personality

“INFP personalities are usually perceived as calm, reserved or even shy. However, such an exterior can be deceptive – even though INFPs can be somewhat cautions, their inner flame and passion is not something to be taken lightly. People with this personality type are really affectionate, a trait not often seen in other types. This compassion can be really fervent and long-lasting – but the INFP will use it quite cautiously, directing their energies towards a few selected people or a worthy cause. Idealism is the banner of INFP personalities – and they are proud of it. Unfortunately, it also means that INFPs can often feel misunderstood and isolated, as they are relatively rare (only 4.3% of U.S. population).”

Boy was this right on!!! I was floored after reading other detail traits of the Idealist temperament. This one is from the Meyers Briggs site:http://www.myersbriggs.org/my-mbti-personality-type/mbti-basics/the-16-mbti-types.asp

 

“INFP

Idealistic, loyal to their values and to people who are important to them. Want an external life that is congruent with their values. Curious, quick to see possibilities, can be catalysts for implementing ideas. Seek to understand people and to help them fulfill their potential. Adaptable, flexible, and accepting unless a value is threatened.” 

I also took the DiSC personality test and I came out of it as an I – Influence, which is very interesting because while the MBTI says I am a hermit-introvert (which I am), the DiSC says I am a energetic people person, which is also true. 

I also scored close to a S and C on the DiSC test which solved some confusion for me as to was it possible to be both, though I know both descriptions are true.

http://www.discprofile.com/styles/i-style.htm

 

“DiSC profiles explained: i is for Influence

If you’ve recently taken the DiSC profile, your report has a more personalized explanation of what having an i style means for you than what is presented here. But this can be a fun page to link to and have others learn a bit more about you. Or you can use it to better understand someone you work or live with.

People with the i style place an emphasis on shaping the environment by influencing or persuading others.

A person with a i style

• is motivated by social recognition, group activities, and relationships
• prioritizes taking action, collaboration, and expressing enthusiasm
• is described as convincing, magnetic, enthusiastic, warm, trusting and optimistic
• may be limited by being impulsive and disorganized and having lack of follow-through.
• may fear loss of influence, disapproval and being ignored
• values coaching and counseling, freedom of expression and democratic relationships”

So the part about fearing being ignored I don’t quite agree with; what matters most to me is if the lack of attention is coming from family or close friends. I’m so not an attention hog and depending on the day, I may even enjoy playing to the background. My introverted ways can pop up at random and if I feel uncomfortable in a big crowd I tend to leave early.  Of course this led me to google MBTI vs DiSC because how can they both be right?  

I came across a comment on one site that gave me some peace of mind. 

http://www.christopherbrowning.com/1000/difference-between-disc-and-myers-briggs-mbti/

“The type of research done to come up with MTBI and DISC are very different. MTBI is based on Jung’s dichotomies to explain conscious and unconscious forces affecting behavior. MTBI explain more of the inner workings of an individual.

Dr. Marston’s came up with DiSC to explain how people adjust/react to environment shifts by looking first at emotional responses and correlating it to behavior. In short DiCS explains outward behavior.

Some people try to map MTBI types to DiCS types. It is bad to this.  The reasons behind developing the assessment are completely different. One troubling crossover I see a lot by DiSC facilitator it saying D and I are ‘extroverts’ while S and C are ‘introverts’. There are extroverts and introverts in all 4 base DISC types. (Side note: most of my D clients are introverts looking for someone to help them get out of their self-perceived shell even though they interact with a large variety of people all day long.)

Another key difference is study-time you need to devote to learning the assessments before you are competent in them. The DiCS assessment has self interpreting explanations included in the report.   MBTI only returns a ‘score’ and requires a college level courses to fully understand the  results.” 

He is right. I took my MBTI assessment at the last company I worked for which was presented by a professional and I took the DiSC through my church. I think the Myers Briggs test was more thorough in explaining my inner thoughts and feelings and the DiSC was great at explaining how I can be in social settings around other people. Get me into a good one-on-one convo with a funny stranger and I’m okay. 

Yay! I’m not an anti-social hermit who loves journal-ling more than talking to people. Then again…

Overall, I think everyone should take at least one of these assessments. You’d be surprised what you learn about yourself. I know I was yet now my world makes a little more sense.  

Until I write again…

 

Adventurous Daydreamer