LEVERAGE YOUR STRENGTHS BY UNDERSTANDING YOUR

PERSONALITY

July 7, 2011

By A.V. Vedpuriswar

Why awareness of personality type is important

People who know themselves and the others around are

at an advantage.

They learn how to take decisions in different situations.

They understand people better.

They know which areas to focus on in order to develop

their personality.

They know how to get the best out of the team.

They know when to seek help.

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Personality type

Every person has his or her own preferred ways of acting

and thinking.

They can be deduced from their personality profile.

When we talk about a preference in one pair of

dichotomies, this is not meant as a value judgment.

Both poles are important, even if we find one side easier

to deal with.

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Caution: Word UsageWords used to describe preferences in psychology do not mean the same thing as they do in everyday life.

» Extravert does not mean talkative or loud.

» Introvert does not mean shy or inhibited.

» Feeling does mean emotional.

» Judging does not mean judgmental.

» Perceiving does not mean perceptive.

Personality Dichotomies

The personality dichotomies relate to the following questions:

Where do I get my energy, where do I prefer to focus my attention – outward or inward?

How do I prefer to perceive the world around me, how do I assimilate information – by paying attention to detail or by looking at the big picture?

How do I prefer to base my decisions – my thoughts or my feelings?

How do I prefer to interact with the outer world, by being ordered and structured or flexible and spontaneous?

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The Four Dichotomies

Extraversion – IntroversionE - I Dichotomy

Where do I prefer to focus my attention – and get your energy?

Sensing – Intuition S - N Dichotomy

How do I prefer to take in information?

Thinking – Feeling T - F Dichotomy

How do I make decisions?

Judging – PerceivingJ - P Dichotomy

How do I deal with the outer world?

Pairs of dichotomies

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Extraversion

Find contact easy Actively communicative Energy from outer world

Introversion

Rather reserved Consider / reflect Energy from inner world

Sensing

Gather details Enquire about facts Rely on experience

INtuition

Create a big picture Theories / abstraction Build upon creativity

Cont….

Pairs of dichotomies ( Contd)

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Thinking

Logical, analytical Compare alternatives Guided by tasks

Feeling

Sympathetic, empathetic Take values into account Guided by people

Judging

Systematic, planning Avoid time pressure Appreciate schedules

Perceiving

Keep options open Energised by last-minute rush Spontaneous, flexible

E – I Dichotomy: Source of Energy

Most people who prefer Extraversion» Prefer action to reflection» Are attuned to external world» Like to communicate by talking» Learn best through doing or discussing» Are sociable and expressive» Enjoy working in groups

Most people who prefer Introversion

» Prefer reflection to action

» Are attuned to inner world

» Like to communicate in writing

» Learn best through mental practice and reflection

» Are private and contained

» Enjoy working alone or in pairs

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Some Key Words Associated With E/I

ExtraversionAction orientedOutwardPeopleInteractionManyExpressiveDo-Think-Do

IntroversionReflectiveInwardPrivacyConcentrationFewQuietThink-Do-Think

S – N Dichotomy: Assimilating Information

Most people who prefer Sensing» Emphasize the pragmatic» Prefer facts & details/ specific

information» Are oriented to present realities» Value realism» Use their 5 senses» Move carefully and thoroughly

to conclusions» Trust experience

Most people who prefer Intuition» Emphasize the theoretical» Prefer general concepts/ high-

level plans» Look at future possibilities» Value imagination» Use a “sixth” sense» Move quickly to conclusions,

follow hunches» Trust inspiration

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Some Key Words Associated With

SensingFactsRealisticSpecificPresentKeepPracticalWhat is

iNtuitionIdeasImaginativeGeneralFutureChangeTheoreticalWhat could be

T – F Dichotomy: Decision Making

Most people who prefer Thinking» Are analytical» Use cause-effect reasoning » Solve problems with logic» Strive for objective standard of truth» Are described as reasonable» Search for flaws in an argument» Want everyone treated equally

Most people who prefer Feeling» Are empathetic» Are guided by personal values» Assess impact on people» Strive for harmony and positive

interactions» Are described as compassionate» Search for point of agreement in an

argument» Want everyone treated as an individual

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Some Key Words Associated With

ThinkingHeadDistantThingsObjectiveCriticizeAnalyzeFirm but Fair

FeelingHeartPersonalPeopleSubjectivePraiseUnderstandMerciful

J – P Dichotomy: Lifestyle

Most people who prefer Judging» Are scheduled/organized» Strive to finish one project before starting another» Like to have things decided» Try to avoid last-minute stresses; » Finish tasks well before deadline» Try to limit surprises» See routines as effective

Most people who prefer Perceiving» Are spontaneous/flexible» Start many projects but may

have trouble finishing them» Like things loose, open» Feel energized by last-minute

pressures;» Finish tasks at the deadline» Enjoy surprises» See routines as limiting

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Some Key Words Associated With

JudgingOrganizedDecisionControlNowClosureDeliberatePlan

PerceivingFlexibleInformationExperienceLaterOptionsSpontaneousWait

Personality type and preferred communication style

Cont….

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Extraversion energetic; inspiring; quick to respond, seek out opportunities for personal communication

Introversion more inspired by themselves; think before acting prefer one-to-one meetings and written communication

Sensing Require informative facts, look for a practical reference for information structured in conversations; stick to the agenda in meetings

INntuition form generalizations; want to think ahead to the future indirect approach; view the agenda as a starting point

Personality type and preferred working style (1)

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Cont….

Extraversion are actively involved; lose patience quickly; take an interest in others act (too) quickly; enjoy working with others

Introversion prefer to be in quiet surroundings in order to concentrate on work that requires perseverance interested in facts, need time to think before they act; work alone or in a small team

Sensing go by experience; standard solutions; pragmatic; attention to detail happy to build upon existing knowledge; plan time well

INntuition like complex material and challenges; prone to missing facts value innovation; have overview; follow inspiration spontaneously

Personality type and preferred working style (2)

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Cont….

Thinking logical and analytical; tend to be more focused on the tasks than on people decide impersonally; able to cope with criticism; seek recognition

Feeling guided by values; work together harmoniously, appreciative, sympathetic; show consideration for people

Judging organizing, diligent at planning; focused on targets; strive for structures and time schedules; work with lists

Perceiving happy to involve others; adaptable open to new experiences; feel constricted by structures

Personality type and Holding meetings

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ST SF

Managerial Style: effective organizer hands-on approachWon over by facts and objective answers to questions

Managerial Style: friendly person to talk to guided by your needsWon over by showing him arguments for the benefits

NT NF

Managerial Style: conceptual planner guided by what is possibleWon over by showing theoretical background and competence

Managerial Style: team player geared towards motivationWon over by approaching at the relationship level

| ©2009, Cognizant Technology Solutions Confidential

Leveraging team diversity for effective problem solving

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Perceiving level

Sensing (S)S-type analyses the situation by gathering data and facts

Intuition (N)N-type looks for possible solutions and uses imagination

Decision -making

level

Thinking (T)T-type analyses the options logically

Feeling (F)F-Type considers the people implications of the options

| ©2009, Cognizant Technology Solutions Confidential

Thank You

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