Ok let’s just wade right into the controversy. One school of thought on the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) says it’s a validated instrument that through the use of self-identification on 93-question assessment, enables the taker to get a read on their hard-wired personality preferences. Another school of thought relegates the MBTI to the status of a parlor game with no validity whatsoever.
Personally, I believe in the MBTI and, as a qualified practitioner, through the personal administration of well over 3,000 individuals in both workshops and one-on-one meetings, have seen the predictable patterns play out over and over. You don’t need a bunch of boring stats to convince me. And, I’m not going to get into any debates with anyone because I don’t have the time or the energy.
But there is a much larger problem. Trainers, speakers, and coaches who are unqualified to administer this assessment (you have to be qualified and/or certified to even purchase this instrument) and are delivering seminars and workshops with it.
Here’s what can happen:
You attend a seminar where non-certified, non-qualified trainers add their own spin to it (colors, animals, etc.) and encourage you to use this as a development tool with direct reports. This means that an unqualified trainer is teaching un-mastered material to a much less qualified manager who will now attempt to use it to help direct reports into different career paths or even relationships. This fully watered-down “gospel” has problems and liabilities written all over it.
So what’s the answer.
First of all, if you believe in the MBTI and want to use it, quit being cheap and lazy and get yourself certified. Yeah it’s going to cost you time and money and you’ll have to play by all of CPP’s rules (they own the MBTI) but do us all a favor and certify your competency in it. Oh yes, and CPP frowns upon imposters too!
Second, if you are going to attend any event where the speaker or trainer is using anything related to Myers-Briggs, take what they say with a grain of salt if they play loosey-goosey with the theory of Type. You can’t read this stuff in a book and do the topic justice. Your first clue is when they start likening it to colors, animals, shapes, etc. and when they call the assessment “a test.”
Finally, if you want to bring in a speaker or trainer and they want to talk about personality Type (and this is a clue they want to use the MBTI), then ask to see their qualifications and also some testimonials. If they don’t have them, then tell them to change their topic or to get lost. Those of us who certify and qualify spend lots of time honing our craft and yeah, you’ll pay more to get us, but trust me, the cost is well worth it.
Ok, I’m off the soapbox. Bring on the haters….