What is your Personality Type?
INTJ-A, the Assertive Architect
Did any of these indicators surprise you? If so, why?
The nature trait surprised me a little, not because of which one I lean towards, but because of how much. My results show I'm 58% thinking vs 42% feeling. I've taken the test a few times in the past, and always showed a stronger preference towards thinking. My preference for logic over emotions has always been evident to those around me, but I've found myself balancing out after starting and growing my family.
What resonates the most with you about your Personality Type?
Having a thirst for knowledge is part of my identity. I am constantly reading non-fiction books about topics that I'm interested in and can apply in my work. This thirst for knowledge is a result of my preference to be a rational and informed individual thinker.
What do you like the most about being this type?
I love being curious, gaining and investigating new ideas. Getting it right is more important to me than being right. Having my mind changed by logical arguments builds trust that I will listen to and consider everyone's opinions and reasoning before making a decision.
Can't help but enjoy that I share this personality type with Gandalf from J.R.R. Tolkien's The Hobbit and Lord of the Rings novels. Big fan. Huge.
What do you find the most challenging thing about being this Personality Type?
"Relying on strategy rather than chance, they contemplate the strengths and weaknesses of each move before they make it"
Paralysis by analysis is something that is a challenge to me. While I love to think through and analyzing problems, I do tend to overthink things. Having deadlines for projects helps me translate ideas into action in a timely fashion.
One thing I've had to learn as a team leader and an instructional leader is that my ideas, no matter how thought out they may be, are not as important as building consensus of teams and bringing out ideas of others. If someone's work is not up to standards I've set, I have to fight the urge to do it for them. Being part of teams I care about has helped me with this.
Career Paths & Workplace Habits
Looking at the "Career Paths" section, what about your current position would you say compliments your personality type's tendencies in this regard? What conflicts?
As a Customer Success Manager (CSM) at bulb, I am afforded freedom to explore and implement new ideas, strategies, and systems. Working with several accounts, I am able to test different strategies to help our company progress and evolve. This job allows me to tackle meaningful challenges. I crave having a career where my ideas, decisions, and systems are consequential to others.
Being a CSM means that I need to be able to meet and work with several people within and outside of bulb. As someone who is heavily introverted, too much social interaction can leave me exhausted. Having a career that I deem as highly meaningful is helpful in my ability to overcome this conflict.
Looking at the "Workplace Habits" Section, what would you consider your greatest strengths as a subordinate, colleague, and manager? What are your greatest weaknesses?
As a subordinate, my greatest strength is to cut through groupthink and come up with novel ideas, strategies, and systems. I will struggle with a boss who I do not respect or who tries to limits my freedom.
As a colleague, I can thrive in the company of a trusted small group of colleagues to advance the quality and impact of our work. I may struggle with working with others when I feel like there is too much non work-related socializing.
As a leader, I work to promote innovation and effectiveness. My thinking shifts towards broader strategies while I expect my team to not just handle but to improve how we handle day-to-day activities. I respect and reward proactive behavior. Team members who struggle with being able to direct themselves will not find me to be a leader who will tell them what to do and how to do it. These people will struggle to gain my respect and may feel aimless with their work.
What is one unique contribution that you and your MBTI type bring into our work environment?
"Few personality types, if any, can match their ability to transform complex principles into clear and actionable strategies."
Me and my fellow INTJs will always be analyzing current practices, looking for innovative ways to make our work more efficient and impactful. We have the ability to think through and create systems that will outlive our time with the organization. We have the ability to detach our emotions from the decision making process, and welcome well thought out challenges to our ideas.