Personality and Change Management

Andrea J. WengerTwitter: @AndreaJWenger

#MBTI #STC13

Objective

Learn how to include the (sometimes opposing) needs of different personality types in a change management strategy.

“People are a problem.”

—Douglas Adams, The Restaurant at the

End of the Universe

“Normal people don't like change. Most of us who think change is fun are consultants.”

—Sarah O’Keefe (paraphrase)

Cats

Neanderthals

Why?

Because I said so

“People do not resist change—people change all the time. What people resist is having others impose change on them.”

—Margaret Wheatley

Change Management

Intentional vs. Imposed Change

Even positive change comes with a sense of loss.

Different people react to change differently

Personality Types

Myers-Briggs Type Indicator

Four scales Extraversion/Introversion Sensation/Intuition Thinking/Feeling Judgment/Perception

You won’t know the personality type of the people affected by the change.

Extraversion/Introversion

Direction of energy flow

Type PreferencesExtraversion Focus outward Like noise Talk things

out

Introversion Focus inward Like quiet Think things

through

Extraversion Interaction Large groups Informal

discussions Chance to act

Introversion Privacy Small groups Written

communication Chance to

reflect

Happy together

Sensation/Intuition

Concrete vs. abstract

Sensation Discrete data Details Facts Observation Specifics

Intuition Patterns Big picture Implications Connections Generalities

Managing ChangeSensation Details Clear directions Continuity Realism Thoroughness

Intuition Context Exploration Vision Imagination Ingenuity

Thinking/Feeling

Objective vs. subjective

Thinking Logic Objectivity Planning Fairness Competence

Feeling Values Empathy Inclusion Respect Support

Managing ChangeThinking Logic Planning Competence Fairness

Feeling Values People Support Respect

Judgment/Perception

Planning vs. adapting

Judgment Closed-ended Decisive Orderly Methodical

Perception Open-ended Flexible Spontaneous Deadline-driven

Managing ChangeJudgment Establish

milestones Follow

the plan Prepare

contingencies

Perception Adjust as

needed Welcome

opportunities Get more

information

Responding to Change

Taking Charge of Change

Address your needs Communication Information gathering Decision making Scheduling

Taking Charge of Change

Address the needs of others Communicate Participate Respect others Improve but don’t disrupt

Taking Charge of Change

Take action Get information Ask to be included

“A lot of people are afraid to say what they want. That’s why they don’t get what they want.”

—Madonna

Resilience

Extraversion + Intuition Explore change with others Look for implications

Extraversion + Sensation Take action Get things done

Introversion + Intuition Conceptualize the change Look for connections

Introversion + Sensation Gather information alone Learn the specifics

Conclusion

Include the needs of different personality types in a change management strategy to make your business more successful.

“Do not train children in learning by force and harshness, but direct them to it by what amuses their minds…

…so that you may be better able to discover with accuracy the peculiar bent of their genius.” — Plato

Bibliography Barger, Nancy J. and Linda K. Kirby.

Introduction to Type and Change. Baron, Renee. What Type Am I?. “Bouncing Back,” CPP Education Blog,

cppeducation.blogspot.com/2012/08/bouncing-back.html.

Myers, Isabel Briggs. Gifts Differing. Jung Typology Test at www.humanmetrics.com.

Contact InformationAndrea WengerSr. Technical Writer, Schneider ElectricIncoming Member, Nominating CommitteePresident, STC Carolina ChapterCommunications Mgr., Technical Editing SIGandreajwenger@gmail.comFacebook: andrea.j.wengerLinkedIn:

www.linkedin.com/in/andreajwenger