How MBTI can help leaders and founders

In our female founders forum yesterday we discussed personality profiling and in particular the Myers Briggs Type Indicator. Whilst there are many different psychometric tools out there, MBTI has probably been around for the longest time, having been developed back in the 1940s.

I have been a practitioner for over 20 years now and found the framework effective with individual leaders and teams across a range of cultures.

In the dynamic world of entrepreneurship, understanding yourself is as crucial as understanding your market.

Enhancing Self-Awareness

The MBTI categorises individuals into 16 personality types based on preferences in four dimensions: Extraversion vs. Introversion, Sensing vs. Intuition, Thinking vs. Feeling, and Judging vs. Perceiving. As a founder, knowing your type can provide deep insights into your natural strengths and areas for improvement. For instance, an ENTP (Extraverted, Intuitive, Thinking, Perceiving) may excel in innovative thinking and risk-taking but might need to work on consistency and attention to detail. I have learned the hard way that as an INTJ, I need to pay attention to the detail - it's not my preference, but I know that I need to focus on the small things as well as the big picture.

Improving Team Dynamics

Building a cohesive team is vital for any business. I have worked with many teams to help them understand the team's diverse personalities and how they interact. By recognising different working styles and communication preferences, you can allocate roles more effectively and foster a more harmonious work environment.

Enhancing Decision-Making

Entrepreneurs face countless decisions daily, from strategic planning to crisis management. The MBTI can guide you in understanding your decision-making style and potential biases.

Strengthening Leadership Skills

Leadership is about inspiring and guiding your team towards a common goal. The MBTI can help you understand your leadership style and how it is perceived by others. .

Fostering Personal Growth

Finally, the MBTI is not just about understanding who you are today but also about growing into who you want to be. By identifying areas for personal development, you can set goals to enhance your entrepreneurial skills.

I have found over the years that the MBTI is a valuable tool for any founder looking to maximise their potential. By fostering self-awareness, improving team dynamics, enhancing decision-making, strengthening leadership skills, and encouraging personal growth, the MBTI can help you navigate the entrepreneurial journey with greater confidence and success.

#MBTI #leadership #femalefounders #founder2leader