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Let's ignore the egregious question of internal and external validity of MBTI for a moment. I've been tested by one of Australia's spy agencies [we have about six] using MBTI, and came out as an INTJ, with extreme 'I' characteristics. One way to put that would be to say that I have almost no external locus of control. That doesn't mean I am immune to reasoned argument, quite the reverse; the only way to change my mind is by reasoned argument. I cannot and will not be browbeaten or blackmailed by anyone. So what is this guy like in the workplace? Surely that Himalayan ego is a serious problem? Surely those Asperger-like symptoms are an impediment to corporate success? Can he work with, like, real people? In fact, I have led several teams to great success, because my ego is unthreatened by the brilliance and skill of the people who work for me. If someone has a better idea than mine, I don't feel the need to stomp on it. Quite the reverse; I'm proud to have the best and brightest working for me, I'm not scared of occasional failure, and I have a reputation as a great 'people person', a description that my secret self considers utterly bogus. I dislike physical contact, for example, and sometimes have trouble reading people, but I compensate for that because I am almost impossible to offend, unconcerned with personalities, and often barely aware of the people aspects when I wade into 'difficult' office situations. So MBTI is a bit like horoscopes, or phenotypes and genotypes. It's not deterministic, it's indicative. Just because you and I have INTJ stamped on our foreheads, it doesn't mean that we can't be effective in situations thought to be more suited to the touchy-feely types; as an INTJ, I never play favourites, focusing instead on solving the problem rather than playing to the audience. Sometimes the INTJ's highly analytic approach to everything can be more effective in managing people than emoting all over them and wanting everyone to be your friend. If you want to go to Europe and see stuff, do it. You might want to do it INTJ-style, preparing a detailed dossier on everything, mapping out locations, travel dates and times, selecting odd things aligned with your interests [Vesalius's dissecting room at Padua is still there, for example, and surely the LHC would be on your list], but hey, what's wrong with that? |