Leadership

PSYCH 485 blog

MBTI

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The psychodynamic approach to leadership can be viewed as similar to the trait approach.  Both are dependent on the individual leader.  The trait approach looks at the characteristics that make a person a good leader.  The psychodynamic approach on the other hand relies on the personalities of individuals and what types of situations are best suited based on this information (Northouse 2013).  As a leader within my department, I am curious about what my personality says about me and where I fit in based on this information. 

One way to determine personality is through a Myers-Briggs Type Indicator.  The Myers-Briggs test is based on the four dimensions established by Carl Jung.  The four dimensions each have pairs of polar opposites in which a person can be classified under.

The following website gives a great explanation of each pair of dimensions.                        

 

http://www.personalitypage.com/html/four-prefs.html

 

Extraversion/Introversion

Sensing/Intuition

Thinking/Feeling

Judging/Perceiving

 

So I have decided to take the test and see how I do. 

 

http://www.famoustype.com/test.htm

 

This is the link of the test that I did.  Below are my results.

 

Your Quiz Results:

Top of Form

Test 1: You are an Introvert (I).
Test 2: You are an Intuitive (N).
Test 3: You are a Thinker (T).
Test 4: You are a Perceiver (P).

Your Myers-Briggs personality type is < I N T P >: “The Free Thinker”.

INTP’s are ingenious, non-conforming, free thinkers.

Bottom of Form

Strengths

  • Quickly finds lack of logic in others’ statements
  • Easily sees the failings and hypocrisies of others
  • Imaginative
  • Creative
  • Appreciates the abnormal
  • Philosophical
  • Ideas come naturally to them
  • Can be very dedicated and talented with regard to things they have a passion for
  • Great observers
  • Introspective
  • Enjoys the complex

Weaknesses

  • May come across as being pessimistic or condescending
  • May show an indifference towards group activities
  • May be absent-minded at times
  • Bored with routine
  • May have trouble picking up and adapting to conventions
  • Forgetful
  • Easily gets disorganized
  • Can be harsh on those they lack respect for.
  • As the great INTP Abraham Lincoln had to eventually learn, it’s not good to be overly critical

 

Famous and Fictional INTP’s include:

  • Albert Einstein
  • Kurt Cobaine
  • Leonardo da Vinci
  • Dr. Emmett Brown from Back to the Future
  • Splinter from Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
  • Paul Finch from American Pie

After looking over my results, I am not sure I totally agree.  The strengths I can see in myself.  The weaknesses are less than appropriate to me.  I do not feel that I am pessimistic; as a matter of fact at my job I am one of the only people who feel it is a great place to work.  I may be absent minded at moments but never forgetful.  I also know myself well enough that I do not get disorganized as a matter of fact I am over organized at times. 

It seems that I am suited to analyze situations and come up with resolutions after all the information has been presented.  I enjoy problem solving and understanding how things work.  So give me complex problems, the abnormal situation to deal with, or even just a group or situation to watch and figure out.  And for me I think all of this is very true.

 

Northouse, P. G. (2013). Leadership: theory and practice. (6th ed.). Los Angeles: Sage Publications,  Inc. 

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