Myers-Briggs Personality Assessment 1
Myers-Briggs Personality Assessment
Ryan McDaniels
School of Business, Liberty University
Author Note
Ryan McDaniels
I have no known conflict of interest to disclose.
Correspondence concerning this article should be addressed to
Ryan McDaniels
Email: rmcdaniels@liberty.edu
Myers-Briggs Personality Assessment 2
Abstract
Personality according to Fischer is the “combination of relatively stable physical, behavioral, and
mental characteristics that gives individuals their unique identities” (Fischer, 2009). “Personality
is a person input in the Organizing Framework” (Fisher, 2009). The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator
(MBTI) also known as the Jung Typology Test is a psychometric test developed in the 1940s by
Isabel Myers and her mother Katherine Briggs and based on the theory by Carl Jung (Yang et al.,
2016). This test “offers an explanation of the individual’s decision-making process, perception of
the world and mechanism of interacting with the external environment (Yang et al., 2016).
According to Jung, people have one of 16 personality types based on the results of the 64-
question test that they take. When I took the Myers-Briggs test, my personality test results were
ESFJ. I then went to the Four Temperaments page at personalitypage.com and found out that my
temperament is SJ which is the “Guardian.” This paper will go into detail of the percentages of
each letter and what each letter stands for. This paper will also go into details with regards to my
temperament and what the SJ means. This paper will also incorporate how my personality test
results affect my personal and professional life and give some examples of each.
Keywords: ESFJ, SJ, personality, Guardian
Myers-Briggs Personality Assessment 3
Myers-Briggs Personality Type
E-Extravert (19%)
According to the Humanmetrics Jung Typology Test, I have a slight preference of
Extraversion over Introversion with a 19% (http://www.humanmetrics.com/personality/esfj).
This means that I know a lot of people and count many of them as “close friends” and I also like
to include as many people as possible in my activities (Kroeger, et al., 2002). I have always done
this in my personal life as I always like to do activities with as many friends as possible or get
together like as birthdays or holiday parties. I also have noticed that people feed me energy
which is why I enjoy being around people whenever possible. That also is the same when it
comes to working out. I prefer to always workout in a gym because I feed off the energy of other
people in the gym rather than at home by myself. Another important trait regarding being a slight
extrovert is that I am easily approachable and engageable by friends, co-workers, and strangers,
though I can be dominating in a conversation (Kroeger, et al., 2002). I believe this is an excellent
trait to have. It means that I can talk to anyone about anything. It also means that I can get along
with everyone from all different backgrounds. The only downside is the part about me
dominating a conversation. I have noticed when I talk too much, so I have consciously not talked
and listened more which sometime makes the conversation flow more smoothly. Sometimes,
talking a good bit is helpful for when I were to go on a date as I can always find something to
say. I also need affirmation from my colleagues, superiors, and subordinates about who I am,
what I do, how I look, and just about everything else (Kroeger, et al., 2002). This goes perfectly
in line with my top Love Language as my top Love Language according to Gary Chapman and
the Love Language quiz is Words of Affirmation. This trait can also lead to insecurities which I
Myers-Briggs Personality Assessment 4
have been known to have so to combat that, I take care of myself better, and just work on my
self-esteem.
S-Sensing (44%)
The second letter in the Jung Typology test is S which is for Sensing. The test says I have
a moderate preference of Sensing over Intuition at 44%
(http://www.humanmetrics.com/personality/esfj). One of the traits of a Sensor is that I believe “if
it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” (Kroeger, et al., 2002). I firmly believe in this mantra and I don’t
understand anyone would improve something that doesn’t need improvement. For instance, my
work with the City of Huntsville has a software program for the taxpayers for Huntsville. The
City has decided to invest in a brand-new program to try to roll out next year which will give all
the taxpayers a brand-new tax account # as well. This also makes it more difficult for the 5
employees in the tax department to acclimate to the new system when the current system is
working just fine. Another think that a Sensor does is that they “prefer specific answers to
specific questions; when you ask someone the time, you prefer “three fifty-two” and get irritated
if the answer is “a little before four or “almost time to go” (Kroeger, et al., 2002). This to me is
about time management and being on time to places. I always like to be on time or early to
places like appointments, work, school, or event to events like holiday parties or get togethers. It
stresses me out if I am close to being late, so I make it a point to be early if possible. The only
time I every say a little before four or sometime not exact or a non-specific answer is when I’m
talking to my kids but now after reading The Type Talk at Work book and writing this paper and
knowing myself, I realize that is probably not the best way I should talk to them.
F-Feeling (38%)
Myers-Briggs Personality Assessment 5
The third letter of the Jung Typology Test is the F which is for Feeling. The test says I
have a moderate preference of Feeling over Thinking of 38%
(http://www.humanmetrics.com/personality/esfj). Of all the preferences, Thinkers and Feelers are
the only two with gender-related issues (Kroeger, et al., 2002). According to Kroeger et al., about
two thirds of all males are thinkers, and about the same proportion of females are feelers
(Kroeger, et al., 2002). They state that “this is neither good nor bad, right nor wrong. And not
conforming to your sex’s preference is also neither good nor bad (though it may be inconvenient
at times)” (Kroeger, et al., 2002). A big thing that Feeler’s do is that they prefer harmony over
clarity, and they are embarrassed by conflict and will try to avoid conflict at all costs. This is how
I am. I have always tried to avoid conflict ever since I was young and if someone gets upset with
me, I always try to figure out what happened to fix it. I have been also known to change the
subject if there is possible conflict with a family member, coworker, or friend. I also enjoy
providing needed services to people although you find that some people take advantage of me
(Kroeger, et al., 2002). I am always will to go above and beyond for someone in need if they ask
me for a favor or to help them with something. This is also true at work if someone asks for my
help, I am always will to give it which makes me feel like I am being taken advantaged of.
Another trait of being a Feelers is that I won’t hesitate to take back something I said that I
perceive to have offended someone (Kroeger, et al., 2002). As I already stated, I try at all
possible to avoid conflict so I if I perceive to have offended someone, I try to correct something I
said or did to make everything better as I certainly would not have meant to offend anyone. I feel
extremely horrible at the notion that someone is upset at me or offended by something I might
have said or did.
Myers-Briggs Personality Assessment 6
J-Judging (12%)
The final letter in the Jung Typology Test is J for Judging. The test said I have a slight
preference of Judging over Perceiving at 12%. So, for Judging, my preference was ever so slight
which means that I have some preference for Judging as well as some preference for Perceiving.
One of the biggest traits of a Judgers is that a Judger is always on-time and waiting on others
(Kroeger, et al., 2002). This is especially true when it comes to work, family function, friend get
togethers, etc. I pride myself at being early and punctual for everything. I also don’t like
surprises which is a characteristic of a Judger (Kroeger, et al., 2002). Surprise birthday parties
are maybe the only instance where I would be okay but even then, I would rather not have a full-
on surprise because I like to be prepared for whom will be there as well as what to wear, etc. A
trait of a Perceiver that I have is that I like to turn most work into play and that if it can’t be made
into fun, it probably isn’t worth doing (Kroeger, et al., 2002). This going with my mantra of that
I work to live rather than live to work. I figure that if I must work, I might as well have fun while
I’m at it. I love to have fun anyway in everything I’m doing including writing these papers and
discussions for this class. I am also easily distracted with my work, schoolwork, life in general,
random noises, etc. I believe I have some form of ADHD that has never been diagnosed which I
believe contributes to some of my distractedness.
ESFJ & SJ – The Guardians
Even though each letter has its own distinction and definition and traits, when they are
combined, they make up my personality as whole and who I am. ESFJ is my personality type
while SJ is my temperament. The SJ temperament means Guardians
(http://www.personalitypage.com/html/four-temps.html). According to Keirsey, Guardians make
up 45% of the entire world population. The Guardian tends to be humble, dependable,
Myers-Briggs Personality Assessment 7
hardworking, loyal mates, responsible parents, trustworthy, and seek security
(https://keirsey.com/temperament/guardian-overview/). Just from knowing myself, I know I have
each one of those traits. I am extremely dependable and extremely loyal, even when someone is
not loyal to me. This part is where someone can take advantage of me as well. I am too
trustworthy at times and I am also very dependable. Being a parent is what I take pride in, so that
is what is important to me, so it doesn’t surprise me that the SJ has that characteristic. A big
characteristic about ESFJs is that they are focused on reading other people and that they have a
strong need to be liked and to be in control (MBTI, 1998-2015). This is very true in both my
personal and professional life. This also goes with my need to stay away from conflict, but I am
always trying to be liked and conform to and be friends with everyone no matter how impractical
that is. ESFJs according to MBTI are warm, sympathetic, helpful cooperative, tactful, down-to-
earth, practical, thorough, consistent, organized, enthusiastic, and energetic (MBTI, 1998-2015).
Every single one of those traits sound just like me and how I go about life. Unfortunately, some
of those traits also means I can get emotionally hurt as well. ESFJs also incorporate many of the
traits that are traditionally associated with women in our society (MBTI, 1998-2015). This
doesn’t make me any less of a “man.” It just means that I like to watch Hallmark Christmas
movies or show empathy and sympathy more most other guys but at the same time, I enjoy
watching football and doing outside activities that “men” typically like to do. My personality just
means I can relate to anyone no matter the gender, race, religion, creed, etc.
Step 2
I have learned from studying these personality tests is that in the workplace and private
life, there are many personalities that encompass the group. These sixteen personality types are
what makes everyone unique. After taking the personality test, it actually just confirmed what
Myers-Briggs Personality Assessment 8
type of personality I knew I had without knowing the what the different letters meant. I already
knew I was more sensitive than the average guy but also just as “manly” as well. In my opinion,
this is the best of both worlds. I feel that being an ESFJ can help me empathize and relate in my
workplace and be a better coworker because the majority of the people I work with are female
and my personality helps me get along with them just as well as I could get along with male
coworkers. Even though I explained how the personality test could help me with coworkers,
managers, and colleagues in the workplace, the MTBI is more helpful for self-awareness
purposes (Fisher, 2009). According to Fisher, the “test is not designed or intended to be a
predictor of performance, but rather offer insights for you and colleagues” (Fisher, 2009). As
Fisher stated, the test is a good predictor of how two people communicate and get along rather
than job performance which I believe I have noticed in my current job as well. The City does not
do any type of personality test, but I am very interested to see what some of my coworker’s
personality types are.
References
Fischer, K. (2009, 12 19). Presentation: Lesson 3 – A Worldview Perspective on Organizational
Behavior. Lynchburg, Virginia.
Humanmetrics. (1998-2017). Humanmetrics Jung Typology Test. Retrieved from
http://www.humanmetrics.com/personality/esfj
Kroeger, O., Thuesen, J. M., & Ruthledge, H. (2002). Type Talk at Work: How the 16
Personality Types Determine Your Success on the Job. New York, NY: Dell Publishing.
Myers-Briggs Type Indicator. Personality Page. Retrieved from
http://www.humanmetrics.com/personality/esfj-type?EI=19&SN=44&TF=-38&JP=12
Yang, C., Richard, G., Durkin, M., (2016). The association between Myers-Briggs Type
Indicator and Psychiatry as the specialty choice. International Journal of Medical
Education. 7, 48-51. http://10.5116/ijme.5698.e2cd
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