Understanding personality type: Introduction Anita Houghton

Transcription

1 Understanding persnality type: Intrductin Anita Hughtn

2 Understanding persnality type: Intrductin Understanding persnality type can be beneficial t medics and their patients. Anita Hughtn kicks ff ur series by explaining what persnality testing is all abut Earlier this year an interesting event tk place in Lndn. It was supprted by Peter Lees, directr f clinical leadership at the NHS Leadership Centre, and rganised by a grup f peple wh were keen t imprve the NHS and medical educatin thrugh increased knwledge f psychlgical type, and brught tgether 60 influential peple frm UK medical schls, trusts, deaneries, and ther health related rganisatins. The aim f the event was t explre the varius ways in which the Myers Briggs type indicatr (MBTI) culd be used t help health prfessinals in their wrk. The architect f the event, Carl Parkes, challenged the audience t cnsider the diversity agenda in the health service. Althugh mst wuld agree that the NHS has a lng way t g in terms f achieving a diverse wrkfrce, few wuld deny that it is a wrthy aim, nt nly in terms f equity, but als the brader benefits t the service and its users. The United Kingdm nw has plicies t imprve equal pprtunities fr peple f different race, sex, physical ability, and sexual rientatin, and in the next cuple f years we expect t see legislatin against ageism. S what abut persnality? D we think that peple f different persnality are treated equally? D we guard against recruiting certain types and excluding thers? D we prtect different types against discriminatin nce they are in the wrkfrce? Or are we missing ut n huge ptential by failing t d these things? Reasns t be nervus Mentin persnality types and peple get nervus. Instantly there is a fear that if we start answering questinnaires n what we are like, all the careful wrk that we have put int ur utward appearances will be uncvered. And if it is nt a fear f expsure that besets peple, it is a fear f being bxed in: Im an individual, hw can I be put int a bx with a whle bunch f ther peple? they cry. Yet f all the techniques that I use t help peple understand the achievements and challenges in their wrking lives, increasing their awareness f their persnal style and preferences is ne f the mst pwerful. If peple can realise the imprtance f understanding and valuing what they are like, it is a shrt step t understanding and valuing thers. The net result is likely t be higher prductivity, better wrking relatinships, and happier mre fulfilled wrking lives. Surely that wuld be gd fr the NHS, its staff, and the peple it serves? Our series The purpse f this series f articles is twfld. T help yu explre yur wn persnal style, and hw it can be used t imprve yur wrking life

3 T shw hw all preferences and types are imprtant and valuable and hw any grup f peplewhether it be an rganisatin, a team, r a familycan benefit frm having a diversity f styles An intrductin t Jungian typlgy The MBTI instrument riginated frm a thery f psychlgical type develped by the psychiatrist Carl Jung in the early 1900s. 1 Fur imprtant ways in which peple differ The beauty f the MBTI is that it prvides a simple framewrk t describe fur imprtant ways in which peple differ, while allwing rm fr great depth and cmplexity. These fur ways are: Where we prefer t fcus ur attentineither in the utside wrld (extraversin) r in ur heads (intrversin) The way we prefer t take in and prcess infrmatin either literally and stepwise (sensing) r generally and in patterns (intuitin) The kinds f infrmatin we prefer t priritise in decisin makingeither lgical and bjective (thinking) r value based and peple riented (feeling) Our preferred style f living and wrkingeither scheduled and rganised (judging) r spntaneus and flexible (perceiving)

4 Principles The principles behind the MBTI are: Only the individual can decide n his/her type Type describes preferred styles, nt abilities. We can all learn nn-preferred behaviurs. All types are valuable But is it valid? Medics are naturally sceptical, trained t trust nthing shrt f a large randmised cntrlled trial befre accepting any piece f infrmatin. Althugh the MBTI has been validated extensively,1 what cnvinces mre than any well designed study is experiencing the pwer f type first hand. T take an analgy, is it necessary t have a trial f dminant handedness t be cnvinced that we write better with ne hand than the ther? Explring yur wn type: a taster In this series I will be describing each pair f preferences in sme detail, including: The main characteristics f peple with each preference Their special cntributins in the wrkplace and their challenges The prblems that can arise frm difference Hw t maximise yur cntributin at wrk and minimise yur stress T start thinking abut type, thugh, have a lk at the pairs f statements describing hw yu like t wrk, and place a crss at the pint that best describes hw drawn yu are t each statement (fig 1). Yu will prbably relate t bth statements t sme degree, but be drawn, hwever slightly, mre t ne than the ther. Analyse yur results (fig 2).

5 Over the next few mnths yu will have the chance t test ut yur initial assessments and see what it means fr yu and yur career.

6 Understanding persnality type: Extraversin and intrversin In the secnd article in ur series, Anita Hughtn asks yu t cnsider where yu fcus yur attentin--inside r ut I will be examining each f the fur pairs f preferences measured by the Myer Briggs type indicatr (extraversin/intrversin, sensing/intuitin, thinking/feeling, and judging/perceiving) in sme detail. It is imprtant t remember that in practice these preferences cexist, and any examples given will inevitably include expressin f mre than ne preference. Picture this Yu are arriving early fr the first day f a new jb. On entering the department, yu ntice a quiet man cllecting a pile f ntes and making fr ne f the rms ff the receptin area. His eyes alight n yu briefly, as he des s he nds and smiles briefly--lng enugh t be plite but nt t encurage. He vanishes. Yu lk arund fr smene wh might help yu, and yu ntice a wman behind the receptin desk. Yu mve twards her, and befre yu can speak she beams at yu and asks if she can help. Yu explain wh yu are and she beams anther welcme and prceeds t tell yu wh yu shuld see, when they are likely t arrive, where the tilets are, hw t get lunch, wh yur secretary will be, what the bss is like, and where she went fr her hlidays. Intrvert and extravert These are caricatures f the first tw preferences measured by the Myer Briggs type indicatr, intrversin and extraversin, and the behaviurs are indicatins f where these tw peple like t fcus their attentin. When yu are ambling alng deep in thught, nt nticing the peple yu pass, r the nise f the traffic--when nthing shrt f a cludburst wuld draw yur attentin t what is arund yu-- yu are fcusing n yur internal wrld (intrversin). When yu are chatting with peple, watching events, engaging in a grup activity, r nticing yur envirnment, yu are fcusing n yur external wrld (extraversin). We all fcus attentin in bth places, many times a day, but we have a preference fr ne r the ther, and we tend t be energised by that place, and drained by the ther (bx 1). Bx 1: Character preferences Extrversin Outging and sciable Prefer actin t cntemplatin Tend t speak as thughts are frming Wide circle f friends and cntacts

7 May find it hard t fcus Intrversin Quiet and reflective Prefer reading and reflectin t actin ;Tend t think carefully befre speaking Small circle f clse friends Wrk alne cntentedly Preferences Peple wh prefer intrversin tend t be reserved reflective peple wh like t think things thrugh befre they speak r act, wh prefer t spend time with small numbers f peple they knw, and wh find it easy t cncentrate n slitary tasks. Their best wrk ften takes place in their heads, and they feel energised by perids f slitary cncentratin and drained by meeting new peple and multiple activities. After a day f extraverting, which they may well enjy if it des nt happen t frequently, their idea f relaxatin is likely t include slitude. Peple wh prefer extraversin tend t be the utging actin riented peple in life--the nes wh take initiative in grups and at wrk, wh are at ease with new peple, and wh verbalise their thughts as they are frming in their minds. Their best wrk is mst ften dne n the utside, and they are energised by active peple filled days and drained by days sitting at a desk, studying, r writing a reprt. After a day f intrverting, their idea f relaxatin is likely t invlve peple r activities. Extraversin and intrversin at wrk Like any jb r prfessin, medicine requires all preferences, but sme jbs will cntain mre f certain kinds f activities than thers, and the balance between these, and hw they match with yur wn preferences, plays a huge part in yur effectiveness and happiness at wrk (bx 2). Bx 2: Activities related t medicine requiring extraversin and intrversin Intrversin Fcusing n individual patients Thinking thrugh clinical prblems Examining data and specimens Writing reprts, papers, r letters Private study, reading Extraversin Seeing multiple patients Netwrking with clleagues Public speaking r teaching Cmmittee wrk Team wrking Where differences cause prblems

8 We are all different, and althugh variety is what makes life s interesting and exciting, smetimes differences can cause prblems. This is especially s when peple d nt understand type, and every preference has the ptential t bemuse and infuriate smene f a different type. Yu nly have t lk at the negative cnntatins that extraversin and intrversin have acquired ver the past hundred years t understand that. An extravert's view f an intrvert T an extravert, intrverts may be ttally unfathmable. Why n earth d they nt speak? Why d I feel like a gabbling idit when they are arund? What are they thinking? In particular, what are they thinking abut me? Yu spend a bit f time with them, and at the end yu realise they nw knw everything abut yu, and yu knw as little abut them as when yu first met. Perhaps partly because f this discmfrt, the wrd "intrverted" has gained all manner f negative cnntatins ver the years, cming t be assciated with persnality disrders and ther frms f mental illness. Psychiatrists, interested in pathlgy, have tended t measure levels f extraversin and intrversin n a scale f "sciability." In ther wrds, being sciable (that is, extravert) is gd, while being unsciable (that is, intrvert) is bad. An extravert t an intrvert T an intrvert, n the ther hand, extraverts can be maddeningly nisy. They cme ut with half baked ideas, take up all the airtime, and seem t have difficulty sitting still. If they wuld nly shut up fr tw secnds, they think, I might have a chance t give them the slutin, idea, r insight that I've wrked ut.

9 Intrverts find it difficult t understand that when an extravert says smething, they are smetimes just thinking alud, and use the same quality criteria as they wuld t assess smething they themselves have taken hurs, days, r even mnths t think thrugh. Similarly, extraverts tend t ascribe the weight t the utterances f an intrvert that they wuld t their wn, unaware f hw lng the thughts have been incubating. As fr intrversin, extraversin has suffered frm negative assciatins ver the years (prbably at the hands f intrverts)--with nisiness, brashness, and inability t listen. Hw type can help One f the main strengths f the Myer Briggs type indicatr is that it is nt cncerned with pathlgy but with nrmality in the mst psitive sense, and when yu understand type sme helpful things begin t happen. The first is that yu realise that the ther persn is nt difficult, they are just different. They are nt being deliberately annying--they are just like that. Next yu realise that yu might be just as annying t them. Finally yu realise that their annying habits may actually be quite useful (bx 3). Bx 4 gives sme tips n hw t cpe with the things yu dn't like. Bx 3: Seeing differences thrugh the lens f type Intrverts May be seen as deliberately silent, unnerving Culd be seen as calm, thughtful, nn-cntributry, wrks ut the right things t d Extraverts May be seen as annying, nisy, preventing me frm speaking Culd be seen as pen, friendly,. get things mving Bx 4: Hw t cpe with the bits yu d nt like Get help frm smene wh des--if yu're an extravert and have dne a piece f research with an intrvert, they will be nly t delighted t analyse the data and write it up, especially if yu did all the wheeling and dealing t get it ff the grund, and ffer t tut it rund the jurnals D yur wrst tasks at the times f the day yu feel strngest--the temptatin is t put them ff (fr example, phne calls fr intrverts, reprt writing fr extraverts). until yu are tired, and the result is that they never get dne D the hard things regularly but in small dses--if yu put them ff--they accumulate, and nthing is mre ff putting than having t face a muntain f tasks yu find hard. If yu have a thesis t write, writing fr just half an hur a day will result in a huge amunt f text ver time. If yu need t netwrk, making just ne cntact a day is nt t daunting, but can result in astunding numbers f cntacts in just a few weeks. Think carefully abut applying fr jbs ill-suited t yur preference, and prepare yurself if yu d--if yu're an extravert, beware f jbs that invlve large amunts f time cncentrating n slitary tasks, and if yu are an intrvert, yu may want t take five befre applying fr a jb that invlves nthing but cmmittees, public speaking, and travelling t cnferences. Everyne can d these jbs, and if yu d decide t g fr it, yu need t prepare yurself Fr intrverts in extravert jbs, schedule regular "intrvert" time at wrk--say a perid in the library, breaks in clinics, wrking frm hme, r a slitary walk at lunchtime Fr extraverts in intrvert jbs--schedule regular perids f extraverting, say meeting clleagues at lunchtime, jining cmmittees and wrking grups, ging walkabut during breaks.

10 Understanding persnality type: Hw d yu like t take in infrmatin? Sensing and intuitin In the third article f her series, Anita Hughtn explains the tw different ways in which peple take in infrmatin and hw bth kinds f infrmatin prcessing can cmplement each ther Sme years ag I did an MSc, and the curse was taught by a variety f lecturers, tw f whm stick ut in my memry. The reasn I remember these tw in particular is that they divided the grup s sharply int thse that liked ne and thse that liked the ther. The first f these, let's call him David, lectured us n the subject f health ecnmics, and his lectures wuld start with a title and then take that theme excitedly frm ne tpic t anther, pulling in ne thery here, anther thery there, and ending up with, well, a grup f theries, and a grup f facts, and sme haphazard links between the tw. At the end f these lectures, mst us wuld have a piece f paper with the title at the tp, a half written sentence, and abslutely nthing else. The ther lecturer, Susan, taught medical scilgy. She wuld take a subject, and then deliver a perfect list f what we needed t knw. At the end f these lectures we wuld have an excellent set f ntes, easy t read, easy t learn, and easy t reprduce. Lecturing styles One grup f students lved David's lectures. They were slightly disappinted t have buy bks t supplement them, but that was easily ffset by the sheer exhilaratin f hearing him talk, the bundless theries, the different ways f lking at them, and the endless ptential fr new ideas and pssibilities. The ther grup were bewildered and exasperated by David's lectures. They bemaned the lack f clarity, the chatic delivery, and, mst f all, the lamentable absence f decent ntes at the end f them. They liked Susan's lectures--clear, factual, rdered, and eminently reprducible. The first grup als appreciated the gd ntes, but they were bred, and they ften had t brrw ther peple's ntes because their attentin had wandered half way thrugh. Althugh I didn't knw it at the time, this illustrates perfectly the secnd set f preferences measured by the Myers Briggs Type Indicatr (MBTI): sensing and intuitin (see bx 1). Bx 1: Characteristics f peple preferring sensing r intuitin Sensing Fcus n practicalities Live in present Like facts and details Like infrmatin stepwise Trust experience Intuitin Fcus n pssibilities Live in future Like ideas and patterns

11 Like infrmatin as "big picture" Trust inspiratin These preferences describe hw peple prefer t take in infrmatin, s learning situatins are f special relevance. Peple wh prefer sensing (S) prefer t take in infrmatin thrugh their five senses in a stepwise, factual way. They tend t be the grunded peple in life wh live fr the present and can be relied n t prvide the facts and practicalities needed t supprt any venture. Peple wh prefer intuitin take in the same infrmatin, but they tend, almst instantly, t create patterns and meanings ut f that infrmatin. They are the imaginative, deductive types wh cme up with meanings and ideas, and new ways f ding things. If yu ask the tw types t describe the same bject, say a piece f crckery, their descriptins can be s different that yu might well wnder if they are lking at the same thing. While the sensing types will give yu a descriptin that wuld allw yu t picture the bject quite precisely, the intuitive grup may nt even mentin the name f the bject, s interested are they in the meanings and assciatins it has triggered in their minds. Sensing and intuitin at wrk Certain medicine related activities require sensing and intuitin. Sensing Taking structured histries Fllwing care pathways Cllecting data fr research Day t day management Intuitin Drawing meaning ut f histries Develping new ways f ding things Generating ideas fr research Strategic management It's impssible t practise medicine withut sensing skills, and it's impssible t practise medicine withut using intuitin. Every dctr, whatever his r her preference, can d bth. We are taught at medical schl t take clinical histries and perfrm examinatins in a stepwise, sensing way. We then have t use intuitin t pull that infrmatin tgether int a pattern and make a diagnsis. A sensing apprach is needed fr safe prescribing. An intuitive apprach is needed fr making sense f dd cmbinatins f symptms that dn't appear in textbks. A sensing apprach is needed fr learning frm experience, and s building and refining the medical knwledge base. An intuitive apprach is needed fr experimenting and nticing new patterns that push back the bundaries f that knwledge.

12 If yu prefer sensing and yu wrk in a department where intuitin dminates, the fcus therefre n thery rather than practicality, the abstract rather than the real, and the generality rather than the specific, yu may feel frustrated and unvalued. If yu prefer intuitin and wrk in a department where sensing dminates, the lack f enthusiasm fr yur ideas, the fcus n tday rather than tmrrw, and detail rather than patterns may leave yu feeling frustrated and unvalued. If yu relate t either f these, and even if yu dn't, have a lk in the tips bx (bx 3) fr hw t cpe better at wrk by using yur knwledge f type. Bx 3: Tips n hw t cpe with the bits yu dn't like Get help frm smene wh des If yu prefer intuitin yu may think it unfair t leave the implementatin f yur ideas t smene else, but many sensing types will be nly t happy t d this part f the wrk, especially if yu can help them generate ideas fr their research, r draw meaning ut f their data. Similarly, intuitives will find it helpful t ask sensing types fr help with clinical prblems where detail and evidence are imprtant, and they in turn will be useful t sensing types in making sense f unusual and cmplicated clinical histries. D yur wrst tasks in small dses at the times f the day yu feel strngest Every jb cntains bits yu dn't like, and the best way t deal with them is t d them little and ften, and when yu are fresh. If yu are a sensing type, d thse idea generating tasks, fr example, in shrt bursts at yur best time f day, and if yu are intuitive, make sure yu keep up with thse detailed administrative tasks n a regular basis. If yu put them ff they accumulate, and there's nthing mre daunting than the prspect f many hurs ding things yu hate. Think carefully abut applying fr jbs ill suited t yur preference If yu're a sensing type, beware f jbs that require a lt f "big picture" thinking and fcusing n lng term slutins. If yu are an intuitive, yu may want t take yur time befre applying fr a jb that requires much detailed attentin t set prcesses. That is nt t say anyne is incapable f ding these jbs--we can all learn--but if yu d decide t g fr ne, yu need t be prepared, using the tips abve. Where differences cause prblems

13 All the preferences have the ptential t cause difficulties between thse f ppsing type, but if there is ne pair f preferences that causes mre difficulties in cmmunicatin than any f the thers it is sensing and intuitin. Sensing types may find intuitives hpelessly impractical, lacking evidence, and always cming up with pie in the sky ideas instead f cncentrating n the issues at hand. Intuitives may find sensing types infuriatingly nitpicking, cnstantly interrupting their wnderful ideas with tedius practicalities. Whereas a sensing persn likes t receive instructins in clear, stepwise fashin, intuitives may supply instructins in vague, haphazard ways that are ttally incmprehensible t sensing types. Because intuitives like finding their wn ways f ding things, they may feel ppressed by the detail shwered n them by sensing types. In the describing exercise mentined earlier, ften the intuitives just can't believe hw literal the sensing descriptins are, and the sensrs think the intuitives are plain barking. Once yu understand type, thugh, these differences becme useful (see bx 2). Bx 2: Seeing differences thrugh the lens f type Types wh prefer sensing: May be seen as as nitpicking, unimaginative Culd be seen as practical, gd at detail and precisin, realistic Types wh prefer intuitive: May be seen as impractical, imprecise, head in the cluds Culd be seen as gd at ideas and theries, strategists I nce had a cnversatin with a cmmunity pharmacist, wh tld me hw much she enjyed wrking with her clleague. "Yu see, I'm nt an ideas persn," she said, "and Anne is. But she desn't always knw hw t put her ideas int practice, and I d."

14 Understanding persnality type: Hw d yu make decisins? Thinking and feeling In the furth article f her series, Anita Hughtn explains hw peple prefer t make decisins either n the basis f lgical analysis (thinking) r what matters t the peple invlved (feeling), and hw bth appraches are needed fr gd decisin making. There is a grup exercise that's great fr demnstrating differences in peple's decisin making prcesses. Divided int the tw preferences, the grups are asked t imagine they are a research team that has recently cmpleted a prject. S interesting is the prject that they have been invited t present its findings at a cnference... in Barbads. All expenses paid. The truble is, nly ne persn can g, and the task is fr each grup t decide wh it will be. The first time I tried ut this exercise was in a research department, and six peple were in the "thinking" grup and three in the "feeling" grup. The thinking grup had their decisin in abut five minutes. "N prblem," they said. "We simply chse the persn wh is best at presentatins." The feeling grup tk much lnger. They agnised and agnised, and when eventually I called time, I saw them drawing straws. This pair f preferences, the third in the series, which relates t the basis n which peple like t make their decisins. We can all use bth preferences, and d, but sme peple prefer t stand utside a situatin in rder t make a decisin. They use lgical analysis t wrk ut the advantages and disadvantages f different ptins; they may be seen as hardheaded but fair, firm but reasnable, and they are said t prefer "thinking." Others prefer t make their decisins n the basis f their values, and the effect that a decisin will have n the peple cncerned. They are less cncerned, ne might say, with what is lgically crrect than with what is imprtant t them and thers. Said t prefer "feeling," they may be seen as cmpassinate and tenderhearted. If asked fr a preference between the wrds "justice" and "mercy," a feeling type is mre likely t prefer mercy, and a thinking type justice. Bx 1 shws sme main characteristics f either types. Bx 1: Characteristics f peple preferring thinking and feeling fr decisin making Thinking deciders Lgical and analytical Objective Seen as tugh minded

15 Interested in cause and effect Feeling deciders Interested in effect n peple Seen as cmpassinate/tender Subjective Value driven In the case f the cnference exercise, the thinking grup had n prblem in making a decisin, and they did s in duble quick time. The right persn t g was bviusly the ne mst cmpetent fr the jb, and they were ttally bemused by, and smewhat derisive abut, the feeling grup. What n earth culd be the prblem, and why culdn't these half brains make a decisin? The feeling grup had had a terrible time. They just culdn't bear the thught f putting ne persn frward fr this wnderful trip while thers wanted t g. They tried lking at wh wanted t g, wh deserved t g, wh went last time, and s n. Presentatin skills didn't cme int it. Failing t find a suitably cmpelling reasn fr ne t be chsen ver anther, in the end they drew straws. The results? Well the feeling team were all happy abut their chice, but they didn't knw hw gd the presentatin was ging t be. The thinking grup had made a lgical decisin, but they hadn't asked anyne abut hw they felt abut it, and it turned ut that the persn selected had a small baby at hme whm they didn't want t leave. Arguably the best decisin wuld have been made if the tw grups had put their heads tgether. It's imprtant t understand that bth these ways f making decisins are ratinal, they are just based n different pririties and different sets f infrmatin, and everybdy uses bth. Thinking deciders will tend t lk bjectively at a situatin, then cnsider the peple aspects, and then return t the bjective infrmatin fr a final decisin. Feeling deciders will tend t cnsider the effect n peple first, then lk at the lgic, and then return t the feeling infrmatin fr the final decisin. Of the fur pairs, this is the nly ne where there is a gender bias, with arund 60% f men preferring thinking, and arund 60% f wmen preferring feeling. The jury is still ut as t whether this is an inherent r cultural effect. Thinking and Feeling at wrk Bx 2 shws sme examples f hw the type yu are affects the way yu wrk in medicine. Bth preferences are imprtant in medicine (see bx 2), and all dctrs will use bth in their decisin making. Hwever, the scientific basis f medicine and the fact that it has traditinally been a male prfessin, mean that medical culture tends t favur thinking ver feeling. In a study f surgical senir huse fficers, 85% were fund t prefer thinking, 1 and in a chrt f medical students 64% preferred thinking. 2 Bx 2: Medicine related activities requiring thinking and feeling Thinking

16 Treating accrding t evidence Explaining cause and effect Analysis and technical wrk Creating lgical rder in a department Critical prblem slving Feeling Treating accrding t individual Dealing with persnal prblems Lking after peple in a department Talking t patients and relatives Explaining persnal cnsequences This will vary with specialty, f curse, there being relatively mre feeling deciders in general practice, fr example, but even where there are mre feelers, medical training and practice is such that feelers have t learn t put their feeling preferences t ne side fr much f the time, and develp their thinking skills. It's hard t say if it is because f this, r because feelers are mre likely t be upset if they can't help smene, r if medical realities clash with their values, but Clack fund that feelers were mre likely than any f the ther preferences t reprt lw jb satisfactin. 3 It is nt plain sailing fr thinkers either, nw that there is much greater public demand and expectatin fr empathy and patient centred appraches t care. Als the tendency f thinking types t fcus n what needs fixing in a situatin, rather than what is gd abut it, may leave them pen t accusatins f insensitive management r feedback t junirs. Once again, bth preferences are essential, bth fr the cmpetent and sensitive delivery f health services, and the management f staff. Seeing differences thrugh the lens f type Thinking May be seen as hardhearted, insensitive, cld Culd be seen as lgical, clear headed, and willing t make difficult decisins Feeling May be seen as sppy, illgical, weak Culd be seen as kind, sensitive, and gd with peple Where differences cause prblems Thinking types can be exasperated by what they see as the wishy-washy, tuchy-feely apprach t prblems that feelers seem t have. Why can't they be ratinal fr nce? Feelers can be appalled by what they see as the thinker's apparent cmplete disregard fr peple's perspectives and feelings. Because f the assciatin f thinking with being male and feeling with being female, these are the battlefields f many a relatinship.

17 As with all the preferences, the trick is understanding difference and using it t yur advantage. A surgical trainee came t see me nce. A feeling type, he was anxius and depressed abut his chice f specialty and was feeling undervalued and incmpetent. Once he understd that he was wrking in a highly thinking culture, and realised that his strength in talking empathetically with patients and relatives was nt nly valuable but rare in his department, he was able t return t wrk with a new spring in his step. Tips n hw t cpe with the bits yu find hard Develp yur nn-preferred skills--knwing what yu find hard, and why, is an essential first step t ding smething abut it. If yu are a feeling type, try cnsciusly standing back frm situatins in rder t cnsider yur ptins. If yu are a thinking type, try putting yurself in smene else's shes when making decisins abut them Get help frm smene wh finds them easy--if yu are a feeler and yu are having prblems with making a tugh decisin, then yu may benefit frm asking a thinking type fr help. If yu are a thinking type, and have difficulty dealing with, say, scial prblems in yur clinical wrk, r even in yur persnal life, why nt ask a feeling type fr help r advice? Gd quality prblem-slving includes attentin t all the preferences, s when yu are abut t make an imprtant r difficult decisin, try getting a perspective frm ther preferences first D yur tughest jbs when yu're at yur best--if yu are a thinking type and have need t get int smene else's shes t make a gd decisin, try t d it when yu are fresh. Similarly, fr feeling types wh have sme tugh bjective analysis t d Think carefully abut applying fr jbs ill-suited t yur preference--knwledge f yur type will help yu identify these in advance, s if yu're a feeling type, think carefully abut applying fr jbs that wrk that require a lt f lgical decisin-making, r where the culture is predminantly thinking. If yu are a thinker, yu may want t think carefully befre applying fr a jb where the emphasis is mre n dealing with patients' persnal perspectives than bjective prblem slving

18 Understanding persnality type: Hw d yu like t live yur life? Judging and perceiving In the fifth article f her series, Anita Hughtn sheds light n hw we like t live ur lives in the external wrld, whether rganised and scheduled, r spntaneus and flexible There were nce tw administratrs wh were respnsible fr supprting a large training prgramme. Nw this prgramme had grwn ver the years, and it had reached the stage where there was t much wrk fr tw staff, but funding was such that additinal help was ut f the questin. The ne administratr cped with the situatin by drawing a very clear line arund his respnsibilities: This is what I d, please dn't ask me t d anything else. This persn was very efficient in getting his wrk dne, and whatever his managers asked him t d (within the parameters), they knew it wuld be dne quickly and cmpetently. When it came t new r unscheduled tasks, thugh, he was very reluctant t take them n, and that meant that the managers tended t ask the ther administratr t d thse jbs. Because, yu see, the ther administratr made n such delineatin, and said "yes" t any jb that came her way. She was always willing t d anything, and was brilliant in an emergency as she was prepared t drp everything t get a big jb dne in a hurry. Truble was, jbs piled up n her desk, and when the managers gave her nn-urgent jbs, they never knew when, if ever, they wuld be dne. Develp yur nn-preferred skills Perceiving types will ften have dne a lt f this already, and learning t schedule tasks may be helpful when they find themselves verladed with wrk, r nt reaching deadlines. Perceiving types als need t learn t say n smetimes. Judging types, n the ther hand, will find times when it wuld be useful fr them t be mre flexible. When smene asks fr an urgent, unscheduled task, try saying yes smetimes. Judging types need t schedule fun, r they will end up having nne. Get help frm thers If yure having difficulty acting utside yur preferences, find smene with a different style and ask them hw they d it. Ask a judging type hw they tackle their tasks. Ask a perceiving type hw they cpe with unscheduled demands. Yu will learn a lt. D yur tughest jbs when yu are fresh Perceiving types need t d their scheduling, and judging types their flexing, when they are at their best.

19 Think carefully when applying fr jbs requiring an ppsite preference Judging types need t think carefully abut specialties where the wrk is largely unpredictable, r jbs where the wrklad is s high it is impssible t be sure if yu will be able t eat lunch withut interruptin, r get ff hme n time. Accident and emergency medicine is the classical perceiving specialty, where everything is an emergency and nthing scheduled. On the ther hand, the shift systems that predminate here, where yu knw exactly when yu are wrking and when yu are nt, will help judging types t cpe. Perceiving types need t think carefully when cnsidering specialties where scheduling and deadlines predminate, fr example, rutine surgery and utpatient based specialties, and think thrugh hw they will cpe. This illustrates the final pair f preferences explained in the series, which relates t hw we like t live ur lives in the external wrld. If yu are smene wh likes getting things dne, wh likes their life t be largely rganised, wh is mre cmfrtable when a decisin is made than when it is yet t be made, and wh feels the need t finish wrk befre they can play, then the chances are that yu, like the first administratr, prefer judging. (Nte that judging des nt mean judgemental). If, n the ther hand, yu like keeping yur ptins pen, are flexible, feel cnstrained by timetables, can happily play when there is wrk t be dne, and feel energised by last minute pressures, then, like the secnd administratr, yu prbably prefer perceiving. Sme characteristics f peple wh prefer judging and perceiving Judging Scheduled and rganised Like cmpletin Meet deadlines in gd time Hate last minute pressures Perceiving Flexible and spntaneus Like t keep ptins pen Feel cnstrained by schedules Energised by last minute pressures Judging and perceiving at wrk Bth f these preferences are essential at wrk. Judging is useful fr getting jbs dne, rganising schedules, making sure rutine wrk happens when it is suppsed t. Perceiving is essential fr adapting t circumstances, dealing with emergencies, handling change. If yu want smething scheduled, r a big jb dne in cmfrtable time, yu need judging skills. If yu want t deal flexibly with unpredictable demand r want smething dne in a hurry, yu need perceiving skills. We can all d bth when the situatin demands it, but given a chice we have a preference fr ne r the ther. Where prblems arise

20 It's nt hard t see hw these preferences can cause prblems when brught tgether, whether it be in the wrkplace r at hme. A supervisr with a preference fr judging may find managing a perceiving emplyee very stressful, nt knwing until the last minute if they are ging t meet a deadline. The perceiver, n the ther hand, may feel ppressed by the judger's need t have tasks cmpleted ahead f schedule, because they need the last minute pressure t becme energised. Seeing differences thrugh the lens f type Types wh prefer judging: May be seen as rigid, cntrlling. Culd be seen as gd at getting things mving and cmpleted, gd planners. Types wh prefer perceiving: May be seen as unreliable, disrganised. Culd be seen as flexible, pen t change, fun. A little while ag an article was published in this jurnal n the subject f prcrastinatin, its ills, and hw t vercme it.1 Nw everybdy is prne t putting things ff, including judging types, but there are sme imprtant differences in hw this plays ut in the tw types. Judging types put ff tasks because either they dn't want t d them, r they are lw n their pririty list. Perceiving types put ff tasks, nt necessarily because they dn't want t d them r they are nt imprtant, but because they need a sense f urgency t give them the energy t d them. Much f Raj Persaud's article is helpful fr bth types, but there is ne area where he makes a statement abut prcrastinatin which is typically "judging" in its perspective: "Sme prcrastinatrs put wrk assignments ff until the last minute because they have cnvinced themselves that they wrk better under pressure--a cmmn myth." He ges n t say, "The chre still gets dne much mre prly than if the prper amunt f time had been allcated." Judging types like t get everything dne in gd time and knw that last minute rushes damage the quality f their wrk. Perceiving types have a rush f energy as the deadline (r sme ther stimulus) appraches, and this is when they d their best wrk. This is hard fr a judging type t believe, and because ur culture values the judging preference they have little cause t questin their perspective. Perceiving types suffer frm this culture, bth because they feel stressed and cnstrained by its rigidity, and because it makes them think they are unusually disrganised. When perceiving types are assessing their preferences they will ften lk sadly at the characteristics and say "I'd like t be like this (judging)... but I'm afraid I'm mre like this (perceiving)." But while perceiving types have their prblems with a judging culture, judging types wrking with perceiving types can als have prblems. A wman I knw has a preference fr judging, and she nce wrked fr a man whse preference was fr perceiving. She likes t be in cntrl f her wrk and assciated deadlines but was dependent n her bss fr decisins n bth. "He," she tld me, "liked t keep his ptins pen fr as lng as pssible, and n the rare ccasins that he made a decisin abut smething, he was mre than likely t reverse it the next time we met. It drve me nuts. I culdn't plan my wrk, and I ended up having t d large pieces f wrk at a few hurs' ntice." Once yu understand type, these difficulties are easier t deal with (see bxes). Perceiving types can start t value peple they can rely n t finish things and t make decisins, and judging types can start t value peple wh are happy t help ut in an emergency, are easyging abut change, and are gd at finding the fun in wrk. Bth types can wrk n develping skills in the ther preference.

21 Wrk activities requiring judging and perceiving Judging Getting jbs dne Making decisins Organising schedules Clinics Organising wrk Being reliable Perceiving Adapting t change Gathering infrmatin fr decisin making Filling in at the last minute Emergencies Making wrk fun Being flexible

22 Understanding persnality type: Hw it relates t jb satisfactin In the sixth article f her series, Anita Hughtn explains hw yur verall persnality type can dictate what yu enjy and what yure gd at in wrk If yu have wrked thrugh the preceding articles1-4 yu shuld have an idea f yur persnal preferences and be ready t lk at yur verall type. Clarifying yur type Althugh the different preferences have been laid ut separately up t nw, in reality they exist as part f a whle type, and their expressin depends n hw they interact with the ther preferences. There are several appraches t clarifying type, the first f which is t lk at the type table and read the brief descriptins f the types that cntain the preferences yu have identified. S if yu think yu prefer extraversin, intuitin, thinking, and perceiving, check ENTP, plus the types that are clse t it. If yu are nt quite sure abut extraversin, fr example, yu might like t check ut INTP as well, r if yu think yure brderline between thinking and feeling, then check ENFP. A secnd methd f clarifying type is t lk at the dminant functins fr the types yu relate t. In each type described in the type table, ne f the tw central preferences (N/S and T/F) is dminant, and is written in bld. This represents what that type des best, and is always expressed in the extrvert r intrvert mde, depending n which f these is preferred. Fr example, the dminant functin f an ISTJ is intrverted sensing, and the dminant functin f an ENFJ is extrverted feeling. Preferences express themselves very differently depending n whether the preference is extrverted r intrverted. T take the example f a medical department, Extrverted intuitin (ENFP and ENTP) will tend t express itself in the generatin f ideas fr new services r prjects, whereas Intrverted intuitin (INFJ and INTJ) will tend t express itself as generating new ways fr understanding situatins and slving prblems. If yu are unclear abut yur full type, try lking at the expressin f different dminant functins belw and ask yurself, which ne describes what I d best in life? S what des all this mean fr yur wrk? A ppular way f understanding type at wrk is t take the tw middle letters, knwn as the functinal pairs, as these have a huge impact n a persns strengths in the wrkplace, and what they enjy: Each f the functinal pairs has certain strengths and preferences in the wrkplace: ST: Like facts, are practical and analytical, and like using technical and administrative skills fr finding tangible slutins t immediate prblems.

23 SF: Like using facts t prvide the right practical and immediate help fr peple, and t create happy and harmnius envirnments. NF: Interested in ideas, pssibilities and theries. Like using their insight t understand and develp peple, bth individuals and mre widely. NT: Interested in pssibilities and ideas, like using their analytical skills t slve cmplex prblems and develp theretical framewrks. In medicine, ne f the imprtant differences between specialties is in time scales and tangibility f results. In bth surgery and emergency medicine, fr example, results tend t be immediate and tangible (favuring Sensing), whereas in psychiatry and public health, results tend t be lnger term and less tangible (favuring intuitin). In general practice, an SF r ST may find great satisfactin in finding practical slutins fr urgent prblems, whereas an NF r NT, may be mre interested in psychscial prblems and cmplex cnditins. Mst medical jbs entail attentin t bth lgical decisin making (T) and peple (F), but the balance between these may vary enugh t make a jb either enjyable r dissatisfying. Labratry wrk, fr example, may prvide t little cntact with peple fr smene with a feeling preference, whereas thinking types may be challenged by the regular need t understand peples subjective experience in, say, palliative medicine. The clues t type at wrk Have a think abut hw yur preferences affect yur wrking life by pndering the answers t the fllwing questins: What are yur strengths at wrk, and hw might they relate t yur preferences? Think f smene whse help yu ften seek. Hw might their preferences (and hw they reflect r differ frm yur wn) explain what yu value them fr? Think f an aspect f wrk yu find difficult r disagreeable. Hw might yur preferences help explain why that is? Think f a clleague yu find difficult r disagreeable. Again, see if yur preferences and theirs can explain the prblems yu have relating t them. What kinds f attributes d yu mst admire in thers? Are any f these related t preferences? What t d if yu are in the wrng jb Symptms f pr fit between type and jb If yu are in a jb that is unsuited t yur type the chances are that yu will be feeling ne r mre f these: Tired, stressed r depressed, Incmpetent, Unvalued, Misunderstd, r Unable t use yur strengths.

24 Unchecked, all this may eventually lead t perfrmance prblems r ill health, r bth. Investigatin and diagnsis Using the questins abve, examine all the different tasks in yur jb, and the peple in it, and wrk ut which parts yu enjy, and which yu find difficult Estimate what prprtin f yur time yu spend in each kind f activity Lk arund at yur wrk envirnment, and the peple in it. Which f the preferences dminate, and hw d they match with yurs? Expressin f dminant functins: Extrverted Sensing - Experiencing life t the full (ESTP, ESFP) Intuitin - Generating ideas fr new prjects (ENTP, ENFP) Thinking - Creating lgical rder in yur envirnment (ESTJ, ENTJ) Feeling - Creating harmny in the utside wrld (ESFJ, ENJF) Intrverted Sensing String and using details (ISTJ, ISFJ) Intuitin - Finding new ways f understanding (INTJ, INFJ) Thinking - Using lgic t slve prblems internally (ISTP, INTP) Feeling - Living accrding t internal values (ISFP, INFP) Treatment D mre f the things yu like... Spt the tasks yure gd at, and ffer t d them Find a special niche fr yurself that allws yu t use yur strengths Help peple t understand what yure best at Find jbs that favur yur preferences Find leisure activities that play t yur preferences... and cpe better with the things yu dnt like If yur jb is full f tasks yu find difficult try the tips fr cping with the bits yu find difficult, 1-4 including: Getting help frm peple wh find these tasks easy Ding yur tughest tasks little and ften, at the times f the day yu feel strngest Thinking carefully abut applying fr jbs ill-suited t yur preference

25 Having a lk at different departments t see if a new envirnment is all that is needed. Dminant preferences d nt always reflect the needs f the jb, and similar types tend t cluster. If yu are fundamentally unsuited t the wrk, r the specialty seems cnsistently t favur a different type, then simply understanding the prblem, and hw yu can make a rare cntributin as a result f yur scarcity value, can be enugh t help yu survive r even thrive. Just ccasinally, hwever, type can prvide the evidence a persn needs t knw that a jb is just nt right fr them. In that case, a change in career directin may be the best slutin.6-8 Remember: We can all d everything--type tells us abut ur preferences, nt ur abilities Nne f the preferences exists in islatin. Their expressin will be dictated by the ther preferences Peple ften say they behave differently in different situatins. The best guide t yur preferences is hw yu behave in the situatins where yu feel mst at ease, where yu can be yur shes ff self Type is useful fr understanding and develping, it shuld nt be used as an excuse fr ding r nt ding anything, r fr criticising r typecasting ther Type is prbably inbrn, but its expressin is affected by persnal circumstances, life stage, culture, upbringing, etc.

26 Understanding persnality type: What d type dynamics tell us abut life stages and stress reactins? In the seventh article f her series, Anita Hughtn explains hw preferences interact and develp ver time In the first article f this series it was claimed that the beauty f psychlgical type is that it prvides a simple framewrk t describe ways in which peple differ, while allwing rm fr great depth and cmplexity within it. In this article we start t explre the cmplexity that is type dynamics. The dynamic nature f type means that fr each type there is a hierarchy f preferences and these develp at different stages f ur lives. Type dynamics are als imprtant in understanding hw different types respnd t stress. A beginners guide t type dynamics The tw central letters f a type dente the functinsfr example, S and T are the functins f the type ESTJ. One f these functins is dminant (in bld), and perates in either the extravert r the intrvert mde, depending n that types preference, 1 and the ther letter dentes the secnd, auxiliary functin. If the dminant functin is extraverted, the auxiliary functin will be intrverted, and vice versa, thus prviding balance and supprt fr the dminant. In the type ESTJ, the dminant functin is extraverted T, whereas the auxiliary is intrverted S. There is then a tertiary functin, which is the ppsite f the auxiliary functin (s if the auxiliary functin is sensing, the tertiary functin will be intuitin), and finally, there is an inferir functin, which is the ppsite f the dminant functin (see bx 1 fr example). Bx 1: Example f type dynamicsestj Dminant functin Extraverted thinking - What this type des best Auxilliary functin Intrverted sensing - Supprts and balances dminant Tertiary functin Intuitin - Develps frm mid-life

27 Inferir functin Feeling - Least cmfrtable functin T wrk ut yur wn hierarchy, yu can check the dminant functin f yur type frm the type table in the previus article and wrk ut the thers as described in the paragraph abve. It takes mst peple a little while t get t grips with dynamics, s dnt wrry if its as clear as pea sup just nw. The imprtant thing is t realise that these hierarchies exist and that every type uses every functin, but we are less cmfrtable with using each functin as we mve dwn the list. Develpment thrugh life One f the cmmn questins psed abut type is, If these preferences are inbrn, hw cme Ive changed as Ive gt lder? and the answer is that ur riginal preferences remain the same but we develp skills in using ur less preferred preferences as we get lder (see bx 2 fr life stages). In healthy type develpment, the preferences develp in rder, with the dminant functin develping during primary schl, the auxiliary at secndary schl, and the tertiary in mid-life. S, fr example, an INTP (dminant thinking, auxiliary intuitin, and tertiary sensing) will ften becme mre cmfrtable at dealing with detail, and living in the here and nw (S), as he r she mves thrugh their thirties. Similarly, an ESTP (dminant sensing, auxiliary thinking, tertiary feeling) is likely t becme mre value driven and empathetic (F) as he r she gets lder. Changes can als take place in the ther preferences, with extraverts becming mre reserved, intrverts becming mre utging, judging types learning flexibility, and perceivers getting scheduled. Bx 2: The main stages in life accrding t Jung Accmmdatinteens and 20s, when yu are respnding t cultural expectatins in terms f career and lve. Dminant and auxiliary functins predminate Midlife transitinwhen yu are develping yur tertiary functin and may therefre want t make sme changes in yur life. Als, if the accmmdatin phase has invlved substantial subjugatin f yur dminant r auxiliary preferences, this can be a time f adjustment Integratin and individuatinwhen yu integrate yur less preferred functins and, when it ges well, becme a fully integrated and runded individual, using all the functins in psitive ways What d type dynamics mean fr career develpment? These changes mean that what peple enjy and value abut wrk may change ver time. Midlife transitin is the mst likely time fr the changes t becme apparent, and thse wh have up till then subjugated their preferences in rder t pursue a particular career are especially prne t a rcky ride at this time. 2 As Western sciety has a habit f directing academically able yung peple int the prfessins, it culd be argued that career type mismatches are especially likely t be fund in careers such as medicine. The realisatin fr smene that their wrking lives have required them fr many

28 years t cncentrate n their least preferred functins at the expense f their strengths can be traumatic and life changing, and it may result in sudden and dramatic changesfr example, a surgen handing in his r her scalpel and rushing ff t the cuntry t farm geese. In less extreme mismatches, r peple wh have had a gd match between their type and their wrk and then start t develp their less preferred functins, yu see peple mdifying their jbs, perhaps t d less clinical wrk in favur f management, r less research in favur f medical plitics, r less wrk altgether, in favur f gardening, r learning the saxphne. The inferir functin and stress Type dynamics als explains the different ways in which peple experience and exhibit stress (bx 3). Althugh we may gain a mdicum f cmfrt with ur inferir functin as we grw lder, its never really under ur cntrl, and it appears in its mst unhelpful frm when were highly stressed. Stress may ccur fr all kinds f reasns, but it terms f type it is mst likely t ccur when we are frced int using ur less preferred functins fr prlnged r intense perids. In the early stages f stress the dminant functin becmes exaggerated. S an intuitive, fr example, will prduce mre and mre ideas and meanings; a sensing type will becme mre and mre cncerned with details. Bx 3: Cmmn surces f stress fr different character types Extraverts: T much time alne, slitary tasks Intrverts: T many new peple, nt enugh time alne Intuitives: T many details, lack f autnmy Sensrs: Uncertainty, lack f clarity, t much change, cmplexity, need t make lng term plans Thinkers: Emtinal situatins, disregard f lgic, pr results frm careful planning, hurting thers feelings while in pursuit f gals Feelers: Cnflict, giving t much, vilatin f cre values, perceptin that a prblem is their fault, hurting smene despite best intentins Judgers: Unexpected events disrupting careful plans, disrganisatin, verwrk Perceivers: Tight deadlines r t much structure, situatins where all ptins are clsed As peple becme mre stressed, they mve dwn their hierarchy f functins until they reach their inferir functin, the ne they have least cntrl ver. And it is when peple are in the grip f the inferir functin, that they feel ut f cntrl and exhibit behaviur which is, quite literally ut f character.3 S the usually bjective, analytical thinking type suddenly becmes vercme with emtin, r wrried that nbdy likes them (F); the live in the-mment sensing type is suddenly vercme with fear f future pssibilities (N); the cmpassinate feeling type becmes hypercritical (T), and the intuitive big picture type becmes bsessed with detail. These are all extreme and dysfunctinal versins f the preference. Its difficult t say wh these eruptins alarm mst, the individual r thse arund them, but an understanding f where they cme frm can be very helpful fr bth and help peple deal with their stress (bx 4).

29 Bx 4: What t d when yu're feeling stressed Firstly, becme aware f what causes yu stress Secndly, when yu are faced with stressrs, try t pace yurself, and give yurself breaks Thirdly, make yurself aware f the warning signs, and if yu sense yu are descending int yur inferir functin, remve yurself, if pssible, frm bth the stressrs and ther peple Finally, if yu d lse it, aplgise and explain

30 Understanding persnality type: What d type dynamics tell us abut life stages and stress reactins? In the eighth article f her series, Anita Hughtn explains hw preferences interact and develp ver time In the first article f this series it was claimed that the beauty f psychlgical type is that it prvides a simple framewrk t describe ways in which peple differ, while allwing rm fr great depth and cmplexity within it. In this article we start t explre the cmplexity that is type dynamics. The dynamic nature f type means that fr each type there is a hierarchy f preferences and these develp at different stages f ur lives. Type dynamics are als imprtant in understanding hw different types respnd t stress. A beginner's guide t type dynamics The tw central letters f a type dente the functins - fr example, S and T are the functins f the type ESTJ. One f these functins is dminant (in bld), and perates in either the extravert r the intrvert mde, depending n that type's preference, 1 and the ther letter dentes the secnd, auxiliary functin. If the dminant functin is extraverted, the auxiliary functin will be intrverted, and vice versa, thus prviding balance and supprt fr the dminant. In the type ESTJ, the dminant functin is extraverted T, whereas the auxiliary is intrverted S. There is then a tertiary functin, which is the ppsite f the auxiliary functin (s if the auxiliary functin is sensing, the tertiary functin will be intuitin), and finally, there is an inferir functin, which is the ppsite f the dminant functin (see bx 1 fr example). Bx 1: Example f dynamics - ESTJ Dminant functin Extraverted thinking What this type des best Auxilliary functin Intrverted sensing Supprts and balances dminant Tertiary functin Intuitin Develps frm mid-life Inferir functin Feeling Least cmfrtable functin

31 T wrk ut yur wn hierarchy, yu can check the dminant functin f yur type frm the type table in the previus article and wrk ut the thers as described in the paragraph abve. It takes mst peple a little while t get t grips with dynamics, s dn't wrry if it's as clear as pea sup just nw. The imprtant thing is t realise that these hierarchies exist and that every type uses every functin, but we are less cmfrtable with using each functin as we mve dwn the list. Develpment thrugh life One f the cmmn questins psed abut type is, "If these preferences are inbrn, hw cme I've changed as I've gt lder?" and the answer is that ur riginal preferences remain the same but we develp skills in using ur less preferred preferences as we get lder (see bx 2 fr life stages). In healthy type develpment, the preferences develp in rder, with the dminant functin develping during primary schl, the auxiliary at secndary schl, and the tertiary in mid-life. S, fr example, an INTP (dminant thinking, auxiliary intuitin, and tertiary sensing) will ften becme mre cmfrtable at dealing with detail, and living in the here and nw (S), as he r she mves thrugh their thirties. Similarly, an ESTP (dminant sensing, auxiliary thinking, tertiary feeling) is likely t becme mre value driven and empathetic (F) as he r she gets lder. Changes can als take place in the ther preferences, with extraverts becming mre reserved, intrverts becming mre utging, judging types learning flexibility, and perceivers getting scheduled. Bx 2: The main stages in life accrding t Jung Accmmdatin - teens and 20s, when yu are respnding t cultural expectatins in terms f career and lve. Dminant and auxiliary functins predminate Midlife transitin - when yu are develping yur tertiary functin and may therefre want t make sme changes in yur life. Als, if the accmmdatin phase has invlved substantial subjugatin f yur dminant r auxiliary preferences, this can be a time f adjustment Integratin and individuatin - when yu integrate yur less preferred functins and, when it ges well, becme a fully integrated and runded individual, using all the functins in psitive ways What d type dynamics mean fr career develpment? These changes mean that what peple enjy and value abut wrk may change ver time. Midlife transitin is the mst likely time fr the changes t becme apparent, and thse wh have up till then subjugated their preferences in rder t pursue a particular career are especially prne t a rcky ride at this time. 2 As Western sciety has a habit f directing academically able yung peple int the prfessins, it culd be argued that career type mismatches are especially likely t be fund in careers such as medicine. The realisatin fr smene that their wrking lives have required them fr many years t cncentrate n their least preferred functins at the expense f their strengths can be traumatic and life changing, and it may result in sudden and dramatic changes - fr example, a surgen handing in his r her scalpel and rushing ff t the cuntry t farm geese. In less extreme mismatches, r peple wh have had a gd match between their type and their wrk and then start t develp their less

32 preferred functins, yu see peple mdifying their jbs, perhaps t d less clinical wrk in favur f management, r less research in favur f medical plitics, r less wrk altgether, in favur f gardening, r learning the saxphne. The inferir functin and stress Type dynamics als explains the different ways in which peple experience and exhibit stress (bx 3). Althugh we may gain a mdicum f cmfrt with ur inferir functin as we grw lder, it's never really under ur cntrl, and it appears in its mst unhelpful frm when we're highly stressed. Stress may ccur fr all kinds f reasns, but it terms f type it is mst likely t ccur when we are frced int using ur less preferred functins fr prlnged r intense perids. In the early stages f stress the dminant functin becmes exaggerated. S an intuitive, fr example, will prduce mre and mre ideas and meanings; a sensing type will becme mre and mre cncerned with details. Cmmn surces f stress fr different character types Extraverts: T much time alne, slitary tasks Intrverts: T many new peple, nt enugh time alne Intuitives: T many details, lack f autnmy Sensrs: Uncertainty, lack f clarity, t much change, cmplexity, need t make lng term plans Thinkers: Emtinal situatins, disregard f lgic, pr results frm careful planning, hurting thers' feelings while in pursuit f gals Feelers: Cnflict, giving t much, vilatin f cre values, perceptin that a prblem is their fault, hurting smene despite best intentins Judgers: Unexpected events disrupting careful plans, disrganisatin, verwrk Perceivers: Tight deadlines r t much structure, situatins where all ptins are clsed. As peple becme mre stressed, they mve dwn their hierarchy f functins until they reach their inferir functin, the ne they have least cntrl ver. And it is when peple are "in the grip" f the inferir functin, that they feel ut f cntrl and exhibit behaviur which is, quite literally "ut f character." 3 S the usually bjective, analytical thinking type suddenly becmes vercme with emtin, r wrried that nbdy likes them (F); the live in the-mment sensing type is suddenly vercme with fear f future pssibilities (N); the cmpassinate feeling type becmes hypercritical (T), and the intuitive "big picture" type becmes bsessed with detail. These are all extreme and dysfunctinal versins f the preference.