Earlier in the week, I noticed a difference in how I perceive my personality and how others perceive my personality. Interestingly enough, it was through a brief Myers-Briggs type assessment on Facebook that brought this difference to my attention. When I completed the assessment (suggested from the last post), my type was an ENFP, which was slightly different than what I got earlier in the month through my master's program--ENTP. Apparently, in non-professional relationships, I am more of a "feeling" person. In professional situations, I tend to be more of a "thinking" person, which seems logical enough for me.
What was most interesting to me was what my friends said about me. On Facebook, your friends can answer a list of questions based on the Myers-Briggs as well. They disagreed with my ENFP. They suggest that I am ESFJ. What does all of this mean? It is a way to describe someone's personality style. It can help someone to know more about themselves and how they tend to view things, which improves your ability to learn. Take a look at what the results were for me. This will give you an idea.
Research has found that the Big Five personality traits are significantly related to Jungian Typology (e.g. the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator). This is a popular alternative personality framework regularly used for personal development, in which Types are used rather than Traits. Based on your Big Five trait scores, your estimated Type is shown below.
ENFP
Extraverted iNtuitive Feeling Perceiving
ENFPs are initiators of change, keenly perceptive of possibilities. They energize and stimulate others through their contagious enthusiasm. They prefer the start-up phase of a project or relationship, and are tireless in the pursuit of new-found interests. ENFPs are able to anticipate the needs of others and to offer them needed help and appreciation. They bring zest, joy, liveliness, and a zany sense of fun to all aspects of their lives. They are at their best in situations that are fluid and changing, and that allow them to express their creativity and use their charisma. They tend to idealize people, and can be disappointed when reality fails to fulfill their expectations. They are easily frustrated if a project requires a great deal of follow-up or attention to detail.
Your friend ratings disagree with this, suggesting that they view you as an ESFJ
(Extraverted Sensing Feeling Judging).
ESFJs are warmly interested in others. They use their Sensing and Judging characteristics to gather specific, detailed information about others, and turn this information into supportive judgments. They want to like people, and tend to be skilled at bringing out the best in others. They strive to understand other points of view. The ESFJs' strong desire to be liked, and for everything to be pleasant, makes them highly supportive of others. People like to be around ESFJs, because ESFJs have a gift for making people feel good about themselves. All else being equal, ESFJs enjoy being in charge. They see problems clearly and delegate easily, work hard and play with zest.
I find this incredibly interesting. So how can we know how others perceive us? Does this mean that our supervisors perceive us differently? What impact can that have on us professionally? These are just some of the questions that I have been considering. What are your thoughts on the subject?
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