Research indicates four protective patterns which resilient people tend to demonstrate: Disposition –our sense of autonomy and self-reliance; Relational – how we can engage and manage a broad range of roles;  Situational – our ability to assess, evaluate, problem solve and make decisions; and Philosophical – finding meaning, purpose, a sense of hope and the reality that change is inevitable.

In addition, resiliency building skills also focus on our ability to make connections and build relationships, accept change, move actively towards goals, look for opportunities of self-discovery, keep things in perspective, maintain hope through a positive vision of the future, evaluating and assessing information and appropriate responses and managing our physical health and a balanced lifestyle.

So, how do we develop resiliency skills across this spectrum of patterns? Where do mental functions “fit?” What could be the link between resilience and type development?

A few examples:

Moving actively towards goals.  When we think of goal orientation we may automatically consider two aspects of type – a “J” orientation to the world which prefers structure, process and future-focus as well as perhaps, the mental function, Extroverted Thinking – designing and coordinating action steps to achieve an outcome.

Accepting change – on the other hand, resiliency may require our ability to be flexible, go with the flow, and develop a “P” orientation to the world. And then perhaps, take a logical approach to the world understanding that change is going to happen and creating a forward focused plan – sound like Extroverted Thinking?

Keeping things in perspective – We must gather information and then also assess the information in regards to the “big” picture. Is your information accurate? Using your mental functions of Introverted and Extroverting Sensing to gather data – current and past experience engages the management of perspective. Determining what or how to act or respond or manage a decision, may require use of Introverted Thinking.

Building relationship, connecting with others – Effectively connecting with others may require developing our Extroverted Feeling mental functions to create a sense of warmth, harmony, reaching agreement and tolerance.

Developing type through the process of self- awareness of personal preferences and development of mental functions and facets may help us achieve individuation, a totally integrated personality capable of managing situations effectively and a concomitant improvement in our resiliency skills.

Strive and Thrive!

Well, not exactly a journal. A 6.5 X 9.5 Five Star spiral notebook, two sections with nice pockets to stuff extraneous items throughout the year. This is my adjunct dayplanner to my Blackberry and Outlook and I love my process.

Some people theorize day planners, either electronic or hard copy, are for “Js” – people who already have a propensity for organization and who thrive on newer and better methods to stay organized. Hence, the wide variety of size, shape and content of the FranklinCovey day planners and Daytimers to insure we are efficient, timely and task-driven. There are pocket size, desk size, daily, weekly, and monthly variations on a theme for structuring  and organizing life.

I’m a pretty intense “J” and even I get overwhelmed with all the tabs, task lists, contact lists, action items and reminders.  Oh, I can process out a project using MS Project but my “F” tires of that quickly for daily life activities.  I love organizing tasks and creating structure for future plans but my “N” loves to write thoughts that come quickly to me. Yes, I stopped at the end of an aisle in the card section to write a few thoughts. Perhaps my “N” has helped create a process that works for me. So how does my ENFJ preference make it work?

I use my Blackberry and Outlook  to organize meetings, manage contacts and create very important tasks with action lists and updates in the free text area. But my Five Star, two section, pocketed spiral is my friend, my slate, my blackboard, my canvass for jotting down random concepts, designing a process flow and drawing models so I don’t lose them into the firmament of daily daydreaming. There are lists of “to-dos” and quick goals that I can check off and then celebrate my successes in December of every year.

I’d like to think there tools for everyone that support organization for every personality type or at least the two orientations to the worlds – Judging and Perceiving. Beyond the use of day planners and day timers, some people are perfectly comfortable writing things down in a regular spiral notebook, perhaps customizing with a calendar insert, using different highlighters to differentiate or prioritize, or sticky notes for added notations. Others may find a sleek journal such as “Think, Create, Record” or become enchanted with the concept of writing in “Finding Your Inner Sasquatch.”  Or, just plain writing short thoughts in an i-Phone or Vortex. My husband, (preference of ISTJ),  makes it all happen in his personal life with Yahoo and small pieces of paper with lists. 

Just as people have different personality type preferences, there’s a good chance there is a wide variety of methods to stay organized.  If you have a moment, share your personality type preference with us, a brief description of how you stay organized and what you have found that particularly works best for you!

Happy organizing!

Ten days ago, our cat, Baxter, could not be found. The last time I saw him was on the roof begging to come down.  I chided him a bit because I knew he knew exactly how to go to the back of the house, take a short leap to the back fence, jump ever so slightly to the garden bench and then off to the ground. On Saturday, we departed for a cycling trip and left our three cats in the care of a neighbor. Baxter never returned.

My husband’s preference is ISTJ and  my type preference is ENFJ. It was quite interesting sharing the experience of designing a cat locator plan, contacting web services and creating signage for our street corners and flyers to share with our neighbors. Our approaches were opposite but most complementary.

My husband worked on the street signage. Baxter’s description was straight-forward, factual and concrete – an ST description to the core.  “Gray/brown Tabby. Long-haired. Telephone number. Address.”  Short and practical enough for signage.  Easy to read for drivers, cyclists and pedestrians.

I relished in my assignment of a creating a flyer worthy of the wonderful cat that was lost. I rallied, embraced my NF and designed my signage to share the “human” side of Baxter in attempt to create a personal connection between the cat, our family and the neighborhood.

 “Hi! My name is Baxter and I think I’m lost. I was last seen on Friday, 10/22 on top of the roof. I have missed my two favorite days of the week, Saturday and Sunday, brushing days!! I jump on the patio table and, boy, am I ready for that brush!  I am a long-haired, very fluffy gray tabby. I could be part Main Coon ‘cause my hair flows out my ears and toes. Would you please help me find my way back to…..? My mistress and master, and my two housemate cats, Bobo and Bell, really miss me. I’m really the fun, cozy one of the bunch!! But they have their good points too!” a included a picture of Baxter in one of his most relaxed states that demonstrated his fluffy gentleness.

 By using our individual talents, we managed our short project quickly and efficiently as well as covered all perspectives of potential readers and options for maximizing our cat-locator resources.

 Sometimes we may think or feel differences are negative. But sharing and embracing differences create the whole perspective and by including the various lenses of type, we can complement each other in the daily activities of work and life. Shaking off our BLM syndrome can open possibilities of broadening our approach and enhancing our productivity.

 In the workplace or in our personal relationships, how well do we include and embrace the gifts of the functional pairs:

STs of Managing the Practical?

NFs of Envisioning Possibilities?

SFs of Personal Helpfulness?

NTs of Strategizing the Future?

 Do we have a process a process in place to insure we gather these different perspectives and use their innate predispositions as we manage a project, make decisions, problem solve, create a communication plan, manage change or design a workflow?

As a functional area of an organization, Human Resources provides services, i.e. recruitment, compensation, benefits employee relations, performance management, retention programs and training. In some organizations HR may also provide wellness services. From a Type perspective, individuals in these functional areas may perform best if their personality preferences align with the functional area and the skills and competencies required of the position. Example, managing compensation plans requires attention to detail, managing concrete data and logical and critical thinking. There are most closely associated with the ST functional pair. An individual with an NT or NF functional pair preference with highly development Sensing and Thinking functions may be very successful in compensation, but a natural preference for Sensing and Thinking may assist an individual in naturally excelling in this functional area.

In many organizations, Human Resources has moved to a generalist organization comprised of some functional areas staying intact but the bulk of the HR services being managed closely through an HR Consultant partnering with client groups. This HR consulting role has the potential to call upon most of the eight mental functions – Introverted and Extroverted Sensing, Introverted and Extroverted Intuitive, Introverted and Extroverted Thinking and Introverted Feeling. In any given day, an HR Consultant may need to gather concrete data, consider past experiences (precedence), brainstorm ideas with colleagues, internally connect dots and have an ah-ha moment of understanding, create a process flow, consider the impact of actions/decisions on others, and take time to determine the exact or precise words to clearly express a thought or make a point. Tired yet?

Developing least natural preferences of personality type may assist individuals in positions that may call on more than an individual’s conscious functions. A dear friend of mine, a retired CEO, states “I have a preference for INFJ, but I had to learn to be an ESTJ to work my way up the corporate ladder.”  Over time, he learned to flex his style based on the situation and use his mental functions as appropriate to be successful.

As Linda Berens proposes, we have our Core Self, our Developed Self that adapted and grown, and our Contextual Self, our current behavior. How is your Developed Self coming along?

Consider your personality type. In what order are your natural preferences?

 Which mental functions does your job primarily use most frequently?

Which of these are mental functions are you most comfortable with?

Which are your least natural functions?

Which are least developed?

How can you develop those mental functions that you call on frequently but are least comfortable with?

Are you ready to stretch and develop?

• Do you “go with the flow” when entering an event or do you have a method or process, or perhaps both?
• Is your networking purposeful and goal-oriented, or are your expectations more fluid?
• Do you respond in short, concise specifics or do you share “what-ifs” and theorize?
• Do you prefer sharing facts rather than creating a broad-brush overview?
• Do you try new techniques or do you use tried and true methods?
• Do you reach out first or do you wait for the other person to extend a hand in greeting?
• Do you express enthusiasm or do you maintain a quiet demeanor?

Networking puts you out there for critique. We want to be perceived in a positive light especially if we are networking up close and personal. Although social media allows us an opportunity to network without a saying a verbal word, our goal is to invoke a positive response and create a lasting impression.

As we move through the networking process, connecting and building personal, professional and business relationships, we may find ourselves using a vast majority of the 20 subscale facets of type in a very short period of time. Depending on the situation, we may find the need to think logically, express empathy, share details, collaborate on an idea, initiate, receive, be practical but also imaginative, sit back and listen, be attentive, reflective but questioning to engage a contact.

Are you tired yet??

Effective networking isn’t just about being yourself. Being yourself just may be too much. We have to read the person we are connecting with – listen  and understand their viewpoints, acknowledge, communicate, care enough to go beyond the superficial, see the contact as a human with wants, needs, desires, passions and yes, even imperfections.

Happy Networking!

For more information click here:

1)      Short term goals – 3-4 weeks projects that provide quick wins to keep you motivated.

2)      Longer- term goals – 3-4 month projects that help you put money in your wallet.

3)      Year-long goals – 8-12 month projects to see the business grow.

I loved this structure to setting goals and I would venture to say individuals with a “J” or Judging preference in regards to their orientation to the worls might this think this process is fabulous. For those with a preference for “P” or Perceiving, this is an excellent tool to provide structure to goal settings and hopefully achieving if not exceeding personal objectives.

This led me to think about speakers as entrepreneurs and small business owners which then led me to think – What are the type preferences or type mental functions that support success in small business owners?

Many speakers are solo-preneurs. As sole-proprietors, they have started and operated their business, designed, marketed and delivered their products and managed the finances. They more than likely have an entrepreneurial spirit meaning they are involved in a professional endeavor that requires independence, creativity, individuality and risk. In addition, as a small business owner, they are building business relationships, and managing their own schedules and administrative tasks until a time comes when they are outsourced through virtual assistants or other services.

An entrepreneurial spirit is having your head in the air and your feet on the ground. Successful entrepreneurs not only have an idea, but they make it happen. Ideally, they have an idea, cash flow and a business plan.

From a type perspective, successful entrepreneurs must be able to not only envision possibilities and generate ideas (Intuition) but they must also be able to design a business plan that is realistic, logical and supported with data (Sensing and Thinking). They must be able to develop and manage harmonious business relationships and connect with others (Feeling).

In addition to designing a business plan, they must be able to adhere to the strategy and tactics yet allow flexibility as the environment changes. Although it appears Judging may be a better supporting type function for a small business owner, facets of Perceiving such as being open, enjoying surprises, and making flexible plans may be of benefit.

Is there a personality type that aligns with being a small business owner? I would venture to say that a small business owner must be open to developing all type functions so as to effectively use the appropriate mental function when necessary.  Yet, as soon as possible,  use outside resources to do what you are not the best at or take you away from your primary responsibility – creating your product, managing your business and generating results.

The website I visited today  is Learnvest. The website has a pretty good process flow or decision making tool to help an individual differentiate a luxury versus a necessity.

From a type perspective, this is a great sample of an activity to develop the mental function of Extroverted Thinking – organizing and categorizing things, thoughts or arguments to draw a conclusion. In addition, by nature of this activity, an individual is practicing several other type functions. For example,  Extroverted Sensing, i.e. gathering concrete current data through direct questioning such as  “do you have one already? “,  “do you have something similar…?”

For individuals with an Intuitive or Feeling dominant function, Thinking and Sensing may not come as natural. What does that mean? Our first decision point may not be gathering concrete data or comparing/contrasting. Many of us may purchase things on a whim, using our emotions and the many advertising ploys that connect objects and things to emotions or status.

To plot similar Learnvest questions in an eight function decision making scenario, consider the following:

1)      Extroverted Sensing –  Do you have something similar? If so, what is the condition?

2)      Introverted Sensing – Have you been stuck in a situation and thought you needed the item?

3)      Extroverted Intuition – Is there another way to achieve the same result without the additional purchase?

4)      Introverted Intuition – What personal meaning does the item or the purchase of the item have?

5)      Extroverted Thinking – Is this the most cost-effective option?

6)      Introverted Thinking – Is it reasonable for someone in your position to use this item?

7)      Extroverted Feeling – Will this social breach cost you friends, colleagues or relatives?

8)      Introverted Feeling – Will not having this item cause you to feel you breeched a core value? Does it cause discomfort?

Financial security is part of the American dream. We want it but how do we get there? As demonstrated by LearnVest, solid decision-making, critically thinking through purchases, and understanding our personality types provide a great foundation for determining thoughtful purchases and matching savings.

Sarah has a type preference of ENFJ so Sensing and Thinking are not her natural strong suits. Her husband, Allen, has a preference for ISTJ. Susan loves to watch Allen observe, analyze and think through processes, problem-solve and make decisions and has been looking for ways to develop her least preferred functions. The couple enjoys an occasional beer and discovered that Lone Star beer has a new campaign using picture puzzles inside the bottle tops.

Allen is very quick in solving the puzzles. He is a natural. He reads the details of the pictures and uses his internal thoughts processes to solve the puzzle. Allen is using his gifts of Sensing and Thinking. Sarah, on the other hand, struggles a bit more but sees the puzzles as fun ways to develop her least preferred functions. She “sees” a picture – a design framed by a bottle cap. Sarah has to consciously make herself walk through every picture, letter or word out loud to solve the puzzle. The first one is difficult, but as she practices, it gets easier. Then, she comes to the conclusion that designing a picture puzzle is the Intuitive complement to solving the puzzle.

 To practice more, she goes to the company’s website and continues to practice and then moves on to other online puzzle and brain teaser sites.

 http://www.lonestarbeer.com/fun_games/puzzlecapdecoder.aspx?puzzle=20

http://www.allstarpuzzles.com/picture/index.html

http://www.smart-kit.com/scategory/brain-teasers/picture-puzzles/

 http://www.puzzles.com/projects/logicproblems.html.

So next time you are working on your puzzles, word games, Sodoku, backgammon or the like, think about your type preference in relation to the activity.

• How is your type preference contributing to the activity?
• How is it being challenged and developed?
• As you progress with the game, does it become easier?
• How can you apply this game activities to daily life?

Answer: East of the Sun, West of the Moon

There are different modes to conflict resolution but the most common are avoidance, accommodation, competition, compromise and collaboration. Resolving conflict can be successfully reached through collaboration in which both parties’ needs are met. Neither party gives in or gives up. An important element of the compromise model is for both parties to be able to initially state their own individual needs and then move to solutions. A second element is for each party to be able to listen, interpret and clarify the other parties’ needs. Both elements require compassionate listening to the self and to others.

I see this “needs clarity” as directly relating to the mental function of Introverted Feeling (Fi) or The Conscience. The Introverted Feeling is our internal value system which defines what is important to us. When we are angry, there is a high probability that our value system has been violated, yet sometimes we cannot specifically articulate the value(s) or personal need(s) that has been violated. Introverted Feeling is our personal integrity. We hold it close to our hearts and we may actually judge and impose our values on others.

For certain personality types, such as ISFP and INFP, Introverted Feeling may be the dominant function, yet individuals may still find it difficult to define and state their personal values. In essence, we may just “know” them and react to them. In conflict resolution, it is important to understand and honor others’ needs and values. For others, Fi may be buried in the unconscious and needs further development.

Five actions to develop Introverted Feeling:

1)      Think about a time when your needs were fulfilled. Write down as many words as you can that describe your feelings/reactions.

2)      Think about time when your needs were not met. Write down as many words as you can that describe your feelings/reactions.

3)      Using Maslow’s hierarchy, write down your personal needs in each category. Be specific. Consider needs as “must haves” not “nice to haves.” “Must haves” are “basics” which create an experience of peace and fulfillment and if not met, will create discontentment, frustration and potentially conflict. Example, “I have the need to be pay my bills on time every month” as opposed to “I need $500,000 in my savings account.”

4)      Now, practice stating your needs in the positive. Example, “I need and value structure in my life” or “I need and value the time to grieve” or “I need and value time to exercise and take care of myself.”

5)      Keep your list readily available and be prepared to review and edit. Memorize your values if possible. Use your list when you begin to feel discontentment or anger with another party. Read your list to determine what need/value is being violated.