MBTI and Leadership Reflection

This report analyzes the MBTI personality test, focusing on the INTP type and its implications for leadership. It discusses the characteristics of INTP leaders, critiques the MBTI's scientific validity, and compares it with alternative personality assessments. The report includes personal reflections and expert opinions on the effectiveness of the MBTI in evaluating leadership qualities.

Running head: MBTI AND REFLECTION 0
Leadership Development

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Table of Contents
Summary of the Test..................................................................................................................2
Leadership Skills of INTPs....................................................................................................2
Test Result Meaning..............................................................................................................2
My Opinion............................................................................................................................3
Assessment of MBTI test...........................................................................................................3
Experts Opinion.....................................................................................................................3
Similar Tests...........................................................................................................................4
References..................................................................................................................................5

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Figure 1: MBTI Test

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Summary of the Test
MBTI or Myer-Briggs Type test is a significantly popular personality test. Many
organisations use this test to ascertain the leadership qualities of a person. According to its
Jung Typology Test, my personality features matches with INTP personality type. These
personalities are rare in the world and cover about 3 percent of the population. They are
systematic and innovative leaders, and they bring unique viewpoint and dynamic intellect in
their work. Their fears include not achieving the organisational goals in desired time. They
keep a calm environment in the company as long as the employees follow the rules. On the
mistakes of workers, they could adopt a straightforward approach to manage the issues. The
career options such as philosophy, teaching, and architecture are better for INTP leaders
(Harrington & Loffredo 2010).
Leadership Skills of INTPs
The INTP leaders usually second guess their decisions while operating a business. In INTP
opinion their decisions could have several alternatives. They are not shy to admit that they
could miss out critical information while making a decision. In case the INTP leaders
involved in a debate with their employees, they try to convince themselves along with the
employee. The INTJ personality is the confident leader, which is different from the INTP
personality. The main feature of INTP leadership includes introverted preparation of
strategies, introverted identifying of objectives, the extroverted insight of opportunities and
extroverted emotion towards employees (Behaz & Djoudi 2012).
Test Result Meaning
The meaning of MBTI test result is that INTP is unusual leaders, but they remain passionate
towards their goals. They are able to identify the organisation issues and consider several
approaches to solve the issues. The INTP prefer subjects such as mathematics, language,
programming and other difficult topics. In their leadership, they identify, determine, expertise
and control the systems that are beyond their imaginations. The MBTI test recommends
practical leadership job profiles for INTP includes computer programmer, software
developer, professor, auto mobile mechanic, and repair jobs. In the social services field, the
MBTI test recommends legal practice or librarian services, for the INTP personality. The
INTP leaders did not prefer to do the daily activities, practical tasks, and maintenance work,

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but after finding the suitable organisation, they deploy all their energy and time to achieve the
organisational goals (Kroeger & Thuesen 2013).
My Opinion
I disagree with the result of MBTI test because several characteristics of the INTP personality
type match the characteristics of my personality, but the INTP personality did not reflect my
entire personality. Both the personalities include characteristics such as rational thinking,
unique leadership viewpoint, creative thinking and calm nature. But several characteristics of
INTP personality are opposite of mine personality such as low self-confidence in decisions,
interest in complex subjects like mathematics and computer programming and disliking the
day-to-day maintenance tasks. The MBTI test has the ability to evaluate the characteristics of
a personality type but the test is not based on solid principles or scientific research.
Assessment of MBTI test
The MBTI test evaluates a personality based on 16-type indicator test created by Carl Jung in
the 1940s. The test analyse the answer of a person and assign them a personality type from
the 16 personalities. The test was not scientifically tested or verified by scientists. Carl Jung,
the founder of the test, has specified that the 16 personalities provided by him are based on
general observation, and not on scientific research. The test uses positive statements for to tell
people regarding their personalities, just like a horoscope. In 2014 many experts debunked
the principles behind the test for not being scientifically researched (Baer 2014).
The MBTI test is one of the most used personality tests worldwide. More than 2.5 million
peoples take the test annually, to evaluate their personality from the 16 personality types. The
company that created and advertise the test generate revenue of $20 million each year. The
test is used by various organisations, human resource departments, government agencies, and
educational institutes, to ascertain the personality of potential candidates or leaders
(Sethuraman & Suresh 2014).
Experts Opinion
After gaining popularity in the business sector, various experts debunked the principles
behind the MBTI test. The organisational psychologist of the University of Pennsylvania,
Adam Grant has said that the MBTI test is not based on psychological principles. Grant
specified that the test is not able to ascertain the leadership quality of a person or their
performance in a particular condition. The test evaluates a person either being extrovert or

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introvert and there no other option in between. The human nature is not the same for
everyone and no person is completely extrovert or introvert (Johnson 2016).
The psychologists of Indian University have conducted a study on the MBTI test to ascertain
its principles. The study concluded that the test is not created on solid psychological values.
The method of ascertaining personality by the test has proven not to be scientific and wrong.
The MBTI test cannot determine the personality of a successful leader.
In the Marshall University, Professor David J. Pittenger works as a professional scientist for
the evaluation of studies of social science. In his research, Pittenger has shown various doubts
regarding the principles of MBTI test. The 16 personality are based on opposite personalities
and the methods resemble each other. The MBTI test does not criticise the leadership
qualities instead it just provide positive statements for different personalities. There is no
proof which shows a relation between the test result and successful leadership quality (Essig
2016).
Similar Tests
In 2014 various claims decreased the popularity of MBTI test. Many organisations started
using the alternative test to evaluate the leadership personality of their candidates. The
substitute of MBTI test includes Big Five. It is based on a binary method to analyse the
strengths and weakness of a leader. This test ascertains a person leadership quality based on
their personality traits such as nervousness, rage, and depression. The Predictive Index (PI) is
better for business purposes because it analyses the supremacy, calmness, and confidence of a
leader. Other similar tests include Traitify, Strengths Finder and Belbin team model
(Compton 2015).

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References
Baer, D. (2014). Why The Myers-Briggs Personality Test Is Misleading, Inaccurate, And
Unscientific. Business Insider. Retrieved from < http://www.businessinsider.in/Why-
The-Myers-Briggs-Personality-Test-Is-Misleading-Inaccurate-And-Unscientific/
articleshow/36773837.cms >
Behaz, A., & Djoudi, M. (2012). Adaptation of learning resources based on the MBTI theory
of psychological types. International Journal of Computer Science Issues, 9(1), 135-
141.
Compton, J. (2015). Top 5 alternatives to the Myers-Briggs test. Imeetcentral. Retrieved from
< https://imeetcentral.com/top-5-alternatives-to-the-myers-briggs-test >
Essig, T. (2016). The Mysterious Popularity Of The Meaningless Myers-Briggs (MBTI).
Forbes. Retrieved from < https://www.forbes.com/sites/toddessig/2014/09/29/the-
mysterious-popularity-of-the-meaningless-myers-briggs-mbti/#d54924d1c790 >
Harrington, R., & Loffredo, D. A. (2010). MBTI personality type and other factors that relate
to preference for online versus face-to-face instruction. The Internet and Higher
Education, 13(1), 89-95.
Johnson, J.A. (2016). Are Scores on the MBTI Totally Meaningless?. Psychology Today.
Retrieved from < https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/cui-bono/201603/are-scores-
the-mbti-totally-meaningless >
Kroeger, O., & Thuesen, J. M. (2013). Type talk: The 16 personality types that determine
how we live, love, and work. Dell.
Sethuraman, K., & Suresh, J. (2014). Effective leadership styles. International Business
Research, 7(9), 165.