I admit I’m a bit of a personality type nerd. I am incredibly interested in people, what motivates them, and how their preferences match up with career options that are fulfilling and enjoyable. But did you know that understanding your personality type is important for knowing how to handle stress on the job? It is! Type research indicates that each personality has its own way to dealing with workplace stress and regaining balance and calm. Knowing how to tap into the hidden strengths of your type is the secret to managing yourself and your work relationships well.
For example, as an "INFJ” on the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI), I set up my work environment to minimize interruptions because I need solitude and reflection-time to feel energized before meeting with people. I get stressed out if I’m in a room with lots of people for long periods of time. I know I need solitude time, so I see it as an act of self-care to meet that need. Similarly, INFJ’s are particularly sensitive to overwhelm from too much detail work, so I ration my energy with breaks to ensure that I tackle any detail work in manageable chunks, to ensure my best performance. These are just a sample of some tips for optimizing my INFJ preferences.
Knowing how to tap into the hidden strengths of your personality type is the secret to managing yourself and your work relationships well.
So let me ask you: what is your personality type? And how do you customize your work environment to meet the challenges of your day? If you would like help with either of these questions, let me know. I’d be happy to help you create a better fit between who you are and what you do on the job, so that you are performing at your best.