What are the most effective ways to use the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator in your coaching practice?

1 What is the MBTI?

The MBTI is based on the theory of psychological types developed by Carl Jung, a Swiss psychiatrist and psychotherapist. The MBTI measures four aspects of personality: how you get your energy (extraversion or introversion), how you gather information (sensing or intuition), how you make decisions (thinking or feeling), and how you deal with the outer world (judging or perceiving). Based on your answers to a questionnaire, you will get a four-letter code that represents your personality type, such as ENFP or ISTJ. There are 16 possible types, each with its own strengths, weaknesses, and motivations.

2 How to use the MBTI for self-awareness

As a coach, you can use the MBTI to gain more insight into your own personality type and how it affects your coaching style, communication, and relationships. By knowing your type, you can leverage your strengths, address your blind spots, and adapt to different situations and clients. For example, if you are an ENFJ, you might be good at inspiring and motivating others, but you might also need to work on setting boundaries and managing your emotions. Or, if you are an ISTP, you might be good at solving problems and improvising, but you might also need to work on expressing your feelings and collaborating with others.

3 How to use the MBTI for client assessment

As a coach, you can also use the MBTI to assess your client's personality type and how it affects their goals, challenges, and needs. By knowing your client's type, you can tailor your coaching approach, questions, and feedback to suit their preferences, values, and learning style. For example, if your client is an ENTP, you might want to use more brainstorming, creativity, and humor in your sessions, but you might also need to help them focus, prioritize, and follow through. Or, if your client is an ISFJ, you might want to use more empathy, support, and structure in your sessions, but you might also need to help them explore new possibilities, assert themselves, and embrace change.

4 How to use the MBTI for rapport building

As a coach, you can also use the MBTI to build rapport and trust with your clients by showing them that you understand and appreciate their personality type. You can do this by using language, examples, and metaphors that resonate with their type, by acknowledging their strengths and challenges, and by validating their feelings and perspectives. For example, if your client is an INFJ, you might want to use words like vision, meaning, and harmony, by highlighting their idealism and insight, and by listening deeply and empathically. Or, if your client is an ESTJ, you might want to use words like logic, results, and efficiency, by highlighting their leadership and organization, and by being clear and direct.

5 How to use the MBTI for conflict resolution

As a coach, you can also use the MBTI to resolve conflicts and misunderstandings that might arise between you and your client, or between your client and others. You can do this by recognizing and respecting the differences in personality types, by communicating effectively and respectfully, and by finding common ground and solutions. For example, if you and your client have a conflict over the pace or direction of the coaching process, you might want to consider whether it is related to your preferences for judging or perceiving, and how you can balance them. Or, if your client has a conflict with someone else, you might want to help them understand the other person's type and how they can communicate better with them.

6 How to use the MBTI for personal growth

As a coach, you can also use the MBTI to facilitate personal growth and development for yourself and your clients. You can do this by exploring the potential of each personality type, by encouraging your client to stretch beyond their comfort zone, and by supporting them in achieving their goals. For example, if you want to develop your intuition, you might want to practice using your imagination, intuition, and insights more often, and seek feedback from intuitive types. Or, if your client wants to develop their feeling, you might want to help them identify and express their emotions, values, and needs more often, and seek feedback from feeling types.