When I was young, I attended a “lab” school. This was essentially a school designed to teach teachers how to teach… and one of the bi-products was that students were taught by teachers in training.
I suppose in the first six years of my life, I was subjected to more testing that most folks face through their entire scholastic program. As a result, I’ve always had an affinity for the various tests that one can be given.
Since I decided to return for my MBA, I’ve taken a couple of these that appear to be gaining greater relevance in my life. The first is the MBTI (Myers-Briggs Type Indicator). Some information on Myers-Briggs can be found here.
As it would turn out, my “Type” is ENTP. There are some descriptions provided here. Of course, this is just a sample of the information that can be found here.
It’s interesting how many ways this information can be used when looking at organizations and their group dynamics. There used to be a number of places where you could go to get access to a free analysis. Those sites appear to have discontinued this offering. I suppose that you can get started here, but there will be some costs. Additionally, I know that you can typically get access to a test through a local university and many HR organizations offer these to their employees as well.
Thank goodness that there are a diversity of perspectives and personalities.
August 16th, 2006 at 5:03 pm
I came across your blog while browsing through Technorati. I think it’s interesting that you’re finding the Myers-Briggs test to be more relevant as you get older. I took that test once when I was in college, and then again a few years later, and didn’t think the results had any significance for me at all. I would like to take the test again, but not for the costs that you’ve indicated in this post…
August 16th, 2006 at 5:19 pm
Thanks for the note. I wish I could remember where to point you for a free version of the test. I think the most important thing to recognize about the test is your “natural preferences” towards the world. Where it gets interesting is comparing that against people you work with.
I’ve been able to drastically modify my style to be more accessible to coworkers and associates… but I could only do that once I recognized where my perferences conflicted with theirs. I hope that makes sense.