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Running head: PROJECT 1: MYERS-BRIGGS PERSONALITY TEST
Project 1: Meyers-Briggs Personality Test
BMAL 500 – Organizational Behavior
Byungjoo Han
Liberty University
Dr. Laurie Barnes
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Running head: PROJECT 1: MYERS-BRIGGS PERSONALITY TEST
Abstract
There are various personalities that we see in the workplace. The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator
instrument is one of the most popular tools to determine what kind of person I am. I used Jung
Typology Test to reveal my personality type and learn how I can use my strengths and overcome
weakness to be a better employee, coworker, and leader. My personality type is ESFJ and as
known as Caregiver. This paper explains how my personal traits make sense and how I apply
these to the workplace.
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Running head: PROJECT 1: MYERS-BRIGGS PERSONALITY TEST
Step 1
The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) is a useful method to identify the personal
preferences of each, and it widely explains decision-making process, interaction with the external
environment (Chong, George, Martin, 2016). Moreover, Myers (2016) states that not only MBTI
explains the differences between people but also showing the potential of each can become. "So
God created man in his image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created
them." (Genesis 1:27, English Standard Version). As stated by the Scripture, each of us is having
different characteristics. According to our lecture presentation 1, everyone has a worldview, but
most of them do not know that they have one. As one of God's follower and a personal trait of
the extrovert owner, I have gone through Humanmetrics Jung Typology Test, and the result of the
test shows that I have ESFJ with components of 1% of Extravert, 38% of Sensing, 22% of
Feeling, and 3% of Judging. From Keirsey’s Temperaments, I was scored as SJ – "The
Guardian" with "The Providers" type. In step 1, I would like to discuss each trait the result in
itemized sections.
E-Extraversion (1%)
Although Jung Typology Test indicated myself as an Extravert person, it also specified
that I have marginal or no preference of Extraversion over Introversion (“Humanmetrics Jung
Typology Test”). I do understand that I agree on some characteristics of introversion and even do
not agree on some portion of extraversion characteristics. For example, Kroeger, Thuesen, and
Rutledge (2002) stated that I would be well oblivious to the background distraction while
working on something else as an extraversion characteristics. I agree on that. However, I am
also enjoying the peacetime to have some private time especially after the busy event such as
team meeting, examination, or even excellent dinner cooking which is a characteristic of an
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Running head: PROJECT 1: MYERS-BRIGGS PERSONALITY TEST
introvert (Kroeger, Thuesen, & Rutledge, 2002). Frankly, I like to have a mixture of both type
extraversion and introversion characteristics especially for my organization which is doing
extensive research work as a Veterans Affairs organization. It is crucial to express clear
statement of the protocol as a project coordinator to the team with enough caution not to convey
wrong information. Now move on to S part.
S-Sensor (38%)
The way that I perceive information is definitely in the form of sensor. I prefer literal;
specific information such as an exact number of time and precise status of cellphone battery by
percentage (Kroeger, Thuesen, & Rutledge, 2002). I get so irritated if I do not see the actual
number of percentage of iPhone battery on the icon. The best example that I can think of as a
sensor is when I am on government travel. Each destination has designated amount of per diem
that federal employee can spend on lodging, food, and transportation. Whenever I am on
government travel, I calculate all budgets in order not to exceed per diem that I am receiving.
Many other co-workers do not care too much of this, but at least I do. I love hands-on
experience in every aspect of my job including going outside of the office to meet fellow
veterans instead of staying in the room all day. With enough examples of my experience, sensor
represents my characteristic. Now move on to F part.
F-Feeler (22%)
To my surprise, I received a slight preference of feeling over thinking. I thought of
myself as at least a moderate feeler. I am a very emotional person, and always consider and make
decisions with other peoples' emotional status whether in my job and personal life. The scripture
says, “Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful” (Luke 6:36, English Standard Version).
Many employees arouse grievances with harmony with corporate system, between departments,
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Running head: PROJECT 1: MYERS-BRIGGS PERSONALITY TEST
and firm leader (Chin & Liu, 2015). If the leader cannot hear other peoples' feeling, I do not see
him/her as a real leader. The word harmony is my favorite term to always think in our work area.
Now move on to J part.
J-judgers (3%)
Just like the preference of extraversion over introversion by only 1 %, the report said that
I had marginal or almost no preference of judging over perceiving. Indeed, I do not see myself
leaning towards either judging or perceiving. Instead, I have both traits. Sometimes, I would like
to make a decision on the problem right away and resolve the issue. However, I also want to
have an open-ended conclusion for flexibility. This happens a lot during the protocol drafting
stage in my current work place. Instead of having everything concluded, we always leave some
more options open at a later stage to add. How to deal with the ineligible human subject is an
excellent example of this. We decided to set a parameter for ineligible criteria; we still would
like to keep them for future study instead of sending them back home with anger. I consider
myself to be balanced judger because of these reasons. Now move along to the portrait of an
ESFJ.
The Caregiver
According to Keirsey's description, I am in SJ group – "The Guardians" as "The Providers" or
The Caregiver. Kroeger, Thuesen, & Rutledge (2002) says that the strengths of SJ group are its
administration, dependability, the ability to take charge, and always knowing who's in charge. I
agree on this. Due to my military background, it is crucial for me to either recognizing leader or
taking charge of the organization. Military teams use mutual influence and leadership emergence
to share leadership and achieve high performance (Ramthun & Matkin, 2014). I cannot think of
the organization without the leader. I was a Non-commissioned officer who dealt with many
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Running head: PROJECT 1: MYERS-BRIGGS PERSONALITY TEST
types of junior soldiers. Fortunately, I was a people person, warmly interested in my junior
soldiers (Portrait of an ESFJ). I was very good at making them happy and motivated, to achieve
the missions. One example was to convince some junior soldiers to start school by using tuition
assistance which was provided by US Army. As a full-time active duty soldier, going to school
at night time are not easy. Because I had acquired bachelor's degree by using tuition assistance
and took advantage of it to advance my career, many junior soldiers were happy to listen to me.
To summarize step 1, I have learned that I am marginal or no preference of Extraversion
& Judging over Introversion & perceiving slight preference of feeling over thinking and
moderate preference of sensing over intuition (“Humanmetrics Jung Typology Test”). I am also
a caregiver who's very serious about taking responsibilities and dependable (“Portrait of an
ESFJ”). In Step 2, I would like to discuss the things that I learned about myself from the test that
will help me as a better employee, coworker, and leader.
Step 2
Kroeger, Thuesen, and Rutledge (2002) not only explained the basic concepts behind
Typewatching but also to use them as every day at work. Couple things that I especially would
like to implement are team building, and stress management in my current organization Veterans
Affairs Research Department as an employee and leader. Due to many ongoing studies
happening in my department every day, I do not have a set role. For some study, I am a research
assistant/specialist to abstract data from extensive chart reviews of entire cohort data.
Sometimes, I perform veteran engagement activities to connect veterans and our studies as
outreach personnel. On the other side, I am also a project manager/coordinator to facilitate the
study which is currently on planning stage. How can I manage to do all of these in such a
limited time? I believe that I have a great personality to handle all types of work with extrovert
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Running head: PROJECT 1: MYERS-BRIGGS PERSONALITY TEST
and sensor traits. According to Kinicki & Fugate (2018), a proactive personality identifies
opportunities and act on them, show initiative, take action, and persevere until meaningful
change occurs. On the other side, I am very adaptable to changes that frequently occur in my
organizations.
However, many employees left the organization due to job dissatisfaction, including
hygiene factors regarding low salaries, no promotion offer to qualifying personnel, or cutting
year-end bonus (Kinicki & Fugate, 2018). I am in the middle of this situation as well. My
current position and salary scale is still at research assistant level even with the current
experience of project management role and also as a team leader. Apparently, it is very stressful
for me. Extravert trait can help me solving this problem. Maybe I can actively speak to higher
authorities to show off how valuable asset I am. As Kroeger, Thuesen, and Rutledge (2002)
mentioned in chapter 14, I may need to move beyond the uncertainties and release my stress out
loud instead of keeping them inside all the time. Matain, Razavi, and Emamgholizadeh (2014)
stated that there was a definite and significant correlation between stress management and
productivity. I may search for potential rewards such as the positive mark in performance
appraisal and annual bonus.
As a team manager with co-workers and subordinates, my personality type of ESFJ is working
very well. SJ type is significantly better performers as compared to NJ, NP, and SPs by seeking
order in the environment, solving problems by relying on past experiences (Lather & Jain, 2015).
16personalities.com stated that ESFJ managers enjoy the responsibility with social situation and
doing well by managing other peoples' feeling to translate into work. One example I had in my
workplace is to organize many wellness activities which are supported by our organization.
Because of my extrovert trait, I love to bring people out of the building and having social times
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Running head: PROJECT 1: MYERS-BRIGGS PERSONALITY TEST
together. Sometimes I organized healthy potluck to engage wellness activity as well. As a result,
I received great feedbacks from multiple team surveys for being an organizer of team activity.
Some activities may not directly relate to the work. However, it may get the team bound together.
One thing that I found myself very weak was dealing with conflict. Because of my feeler nature,
it is indeed challenging for me to get involved in the conflict between other people. Kroeger,
Thuesen, and Rutledge (2002) mentioned that feeler needs to face the conflict and stand tough. I
had an experience of one veteran complaining about my veteran engagement activities. Even
though I thought I put my best effort on it, she was not satisfied but complained. My co-workers
told me to ignore the case, and I did overlook. I should have faced this with that veteran and find
out what part of my engagement activity that she was not happy about. In this case, I would
have prevented the future problem with other veterans too. The scripture says “Live in harmony
with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own
sight.” (Romans 12:16, English Standard Version). I will do my best to harmonize the team with
no conflicts. That is my nature, and what ESFJ loves to do.
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Running head: PROJECT 1: MYERS-BRIGGS PERSONALITY TEST
Reference
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Running head: PROJECT 1: MYERS-BRIGGS PERSONALITY TEST
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