Last updated on Nov 17, 2023
- All
- Soft Skills
- Teamwork
Powered by AI and the LinkedIn community
1
Advantages of MBTI
2
Disadvantages of MBTI
3
How to use MBTI effectively
4
Alternatives to MBTI
6
Here’s what else to consider
If you have ever taken a personality test, chances are you have encountered the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI). The MBTI is a popular tool that assesses your preferences based on four dimensions: extraversion/introversion, sensing/intuition, thinking/feeling, and judging/perceiving. Based on your answers, you are assigned one of 16 personality types, such as ENFP, ISTJ, or INTP. But how useful is the MBTI for team building? In this article, we will explore the advantages and disadvantages of using the MBTI for team building.
Top experts in this article
Selected by the community from 10 contributions. Learn more
Earn a Community Top Voice badge
Add to collaborative articles to get recognized for your expertise on your profile. Learn more
- David Shar, PhD candidate, MPS, SHRM-SCP I Help Organizations Build Sustainably Passionate Burnout-Proof Work Cultures... Promoter of Kindess at Work... Keynote…
6
- Barbara Hawkins People In Crisis Need Immediate Care
5
- Kanchan A G Certified Global Career Counselor. Study Abroad Advisor…
3
1 Advantages of MBTI
One of the main advantages of using the MBTI for team building is that it can help you understand yourself and others better. By knowing your own preferences and strengths, you can leverage them to contribute to your team. By knowing the preferences and strengths of your teammates, you can appreciate their diversity and communicate with them more effectively. The MBTI can also help you identify potential areas of conflict or misunderstanding, and suggest ways to resolve them. For example, if you are an extravert and your teammate is an introvert, you can respect their need for quiet time and avoid overwhelming them with too much interaction.
Help others by sharing more (125 characters min.)
- Michael Ranft Business Coach and critical thinker_Improving how things work with data and a human touch
- Report contribution
Thanks for letting us know! You'll no longer see this contribution
The Limitation with MBTI is that is shows one side of the medal i.e. makes fairly suitable assumptions on who you are based on the test. Now this says little how you might be perceived by others or react in different scenarios. The DISC test for example assesses your ‘behaviour’ in calm, work and stressed situation and that took me from a ‘creative’ to a ‘directive’.
LikeLike
Celebrate
Support
Love
Insightful
Funny
2
- Kanchan A G Certified Global Career Counselor. Study Abroad Advisor Consultant and Trainer at KNG Lifegyaan
- Report contribution
Thanks for letting us know! You'll no longer see this contribution
To an extent MBTI is definitely an advantage in team building. Being aware of strengths and weakness , the strong areas and the abilities can help in delegation of tasks accordingly which would increase productivity. At the same time understanding the diverse spectrum would help setup targets and expectations from each other which can be fulfilled thereby reducing chances of failures and disappointments.
LikeLike
Celebrate
Support
Love
Insightful
Funny
2 Disadvantages of MBTI
One of the main disadvantages of using the MBTI for team building is that it can be oversimplified or misused. The MBTI is not a definitive measure of your personality, but rather a snapshot of your preferences at a given time. Your preferences may change depending on the situation, context, or mood. The MBTI also does not account for other factors that influence your behavior, such as your values, skills, experience, or culture. The MBTI can also be used to stereotype or label people, rather than to appreciate their uniqueness and complexity. For example, if you are an INTP and your teammate is an ESFJ, you should not assume that they are incompatible or that they have nothing in common.
Help others by sharing more (125 characters min.)
- David Shar, PhD candidate, MPS, SHRM-SCP I Help Organizations Build Sustainably Passionate Burnout-Proof Work Cultures... Promoter of Kindess at Work... Keynote Speaker - Corporate Trainer - Consultant - Adjunct Professor - Researcher
- Report contribution
Thanks for letting us know! You'll no longer see this contribution
Personality lives on spectrums, not in boxes. MBTI labels us as an E or an I, but we're all a mix.We already have too many harmful labels in the workplace. More labels, like ENFP, might just fuel that fire reinforcing stereotypes and stereotype threat.Why box folks into set personality types? This can stunt growth. If I'm tagged 'I' for Introvert, my manager and team might limit my presentation chances, hindering my development.Plenty of tools out there respect our complexity and promote growth, rather than confine us to narrow labels. Let's use those!
LikeLike
Celebrate
Support
Love
Insightful
Funny
6
- Rose Paljug Senior Learning and Development Consultant
- Report contribution
Thanks for letting us know! You'll no longer see this contribution
I think a common misunderstanding about the MBTI is that it labels people. What it really helps to do is identify PREFERENCES. The assessment can help with that but it's really you who identifies these in the end. MBTI basically another tool to help you understand yourself and others better - it's definitely not a know-all and be-all instrument but just another tool in your tool kit for self-awareness. You can take it or leave it!Knowing what my preferences are as well as those I interact has helped me tremendously in my life. I have an open and growth mindset when it comes to MBTI and other similar tools which is helpful.
LikeLike
Celebrate
Support
Love
Insightful
Funny
1
Load more contributions
3 How to use MBTI effectively
If you decide to use the MBTI for team building, you should follow some best practices to ensure that it is used effectively. First, you should take the test with an open mind and a critical eye. Do not take the results as absolute truths, but rather as indicators of your preferences. Second, you should share your results with your teammates in a respectful and constructive way. Do not use your type as an excuse for your behavior, or as a way to judge or criticize others. Third, you should use the MBTI as a starting point for further exploration and dialogue. Do not rely on the MBTI alone, but seek to learn more about yourself and your teammates through feedback, observation, and collaboration.
Help others by sharing more (125 characters min.)
- Răzvan Percă Psychologist | Recruiter | Trainer
- Report contribution
Thanks for letting us know! You'll no longer see this contribution
MBTI - Science or pseudoscience?I quote from a Fortune article: "The interesting and somewhat alarming fact about the MBTI is that, despite its popularity, it has come under sustained criticism from professional psychologists for over three decades. One problem is that it displays what statisticians call "low “test-retest reliability". If you retake the test after just five weeks, there is about a 50% chance that you will fit into a different personality category than the first time you took the test."Barnum Effect - Is the phenomenon that occurs when individuals believe that personality descriptions apply specifically to them, despite the fact that the description is actually filled with information that applies to everyone.
Like
Celebrate
Support
Love
Insightful
Funny
2
- Rose Paljug Senior Learning and Development Consultant
- Report contribution
Thanks for letting us know! You'll no longer see this contribution
First of all the MBTI and other similar instruments or not "tests" but are instruments to help point you in the right direction. In the end, you are the decider!
LikeLike
Celebrate
Support
Love
Insightful
Funny
1
4 Alternatives to MBTI
If you are not convinced by the MBTI, or if you want to try other tools for team building, there are many alternatives available. Some of them are based on similar dimensions as the MBTI, but with different names or interpretations. For example, the DISC model uses four behavioral styles: dominance, influence, steadiness, and conscientiousness. The Big Five model uses five personality traits: openness, conscientiousness, extraversion, agreeableness, and neuroticism. Some other tools are based on different frameworks or concepts, such as the Belbin Team Roles, the StrengthsFinder, or the Enneagram. Each tool has its own strengths and limitations, so you should choose the one that suits your needs and goals.
Help others by sharing more (125 characters min.)
- Monica Kochar | HumaneMaths|Teacher Mentor| Curriculum Designer| Assessment Specialist| Product Strategist|
- Report contribution
Thanks for letting us know! You'll no longer see this contribution
Thanks. This is helpful. Which one would you recommend for a remote team to understand each other and work better? We're a group of 7.
LikeLike
Celebrate
Support
Love
Insightful
Funny
5 Tips for team building
Team building is an ongoing process that requires commitment, communication, and cooperation - regardless of the tools used or if any are used at all. To improve teamwork skills, it's important to establish a clear and shared vision, mission, and goals for the team. Additionally, define the roles and responsibilities of each team member while respecting their expertise and autonomy. Communication should be frequent and open with constructive feedback and support given. Celebrate achievements as well as learn from failures and challenges. Diversity and inclusion should be embraced while valuing the different perspectives of teammates. Manage conflicts respectfully with win-win solutions in mind, and seek opportunities for learning and development both individually and collectively.
Help others by sharing more (125 characters min.)
- Kanchan A G Certified Global Career Counselor. Study Abroad Advisor Consultant and Trainer at KNG Lifegyaan
(edited)
- Report contribution
Thanks for letting us know! You'll no longer see this contribution
In any team be it remote or in person ; the perfect recipe for success is the right balance of discipline and authorityA jugful of understanding and mutual trust. A pinch of honest feedback and criticism and a dash of fun and humour
LikeLike
Celebrate
Support
Love
Insightful
Funny
3
6 Here’s what else to consider
This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?
Help others by sharing more (125 characters min.)
- Barbara Hawkins People In Crisis Need Immediate Care
- Report contribution
Thanks for letting us know! You'll no longer see this contribution
Always empower team members the loudest may not be the strongest.Encourage the silent or quiet employee for input. The most seasoned will have prospective and ideas and knowledge of what didn't work.Work to improve by empowering all thoughts and ideas.TogetherEmpower us to Achievement our Mission!
LikeLike
Celebrate
Support
Love
Insightful
Funny
5
Teamwork
Teamwork
+ Follow
Rate this article
We created this article with the help of AI. What do you think of it?
It’s great It’s not so great
Thanks for your feedback
Your feedback is private. Like or react to bring the conversation to your network.
Tell us more
Tell us why you didn’t like this article.
If you think something in this article goes against our Professional Community Policies, please let us know.
We appreciate you letting us know. Though we’re unable to respond directly, your feedback helps us improve this experience for everyone.
If you think this goes against our Professional Community Policies, please let us know.
More articles on Teamwork
No more previous content
- What do you do if your team is afraid to learn from failure? 5 contributions
- What do you do if team members are discouraged from taking risks after failure? 4 contributions
- What do you do if you suspect an employee is struggling to work effectively in a diverse team? 26 contributions
- What do you do if you want to maximize success as an entrepreneur by promoting diversity in your team? 4 contributions
- What do you do if you want to enhance teamwork through industry conferences and events? 2 contributions
- What do you do if your performance review reveals weak teamwork skills?
- What do you do if you need to demonstrate your adaptability to diverse team dynamics in an interview?
No more next content
Explore Other Skills
- Communication
- Interpersonal Skills
- Public Speaking
- Personal Branding
- Leadership Development
- Thought Leadership
- Critical Thinking
- Leadership
- Research Skills
- Executive Coaching
More relevant reading
- Team Building How can you use MBTI to understand your team's personality preferences?
- Facilitation What are some team building exercises that help with goal-setting?
- Team Building How can you use the Enneagram for team building?
- Team Motivation What is the best way to approach someone you admire in Team Motivation?
Help improve contributions
Mark contributions as unhelpful if you find them irrelevant or not valuable to the article. This feedback is private to you and won’t be shared publicly.
Contribution hidden for you
This feedback is never shared publicly, we’ll use it to show better contributions to everyone.