In this blog, I will cover two main points. The first answers the question "What is personality type, really?" The second guides us on the clearest language to use when talking about personality type, or Type. People who know me know how much the language we use when referring to Type matters to me, because how we talk about Type is directly linked to how we understand Type. Let me explain.

Too often I hear people talk about personality type in a way that makes me cringe! "What's your Type?" is tossed around with little regard to what that really means or what it is intended to mean. "I'm an INFJ! Cool! So is Oprah Winfrey, Princess Diana, Yoda, and Beagles!" at least according to some Type enthusiasts. I admit, it may be fun finding out what animal or Disney character most represents your personality type, but although entertaining, it doesn't get to the real depth and value that Type awareness offers.

Personality type is a system to help people understand themselves better. In particular, personality type describes the normal, healthy ways that people naturally direct their focus/energy, take in information, make decisions, and organize their lives. There are two opposite ways of managing each of these areas of living. One isn't any better or worse than the other; they have equal value. Type theory suggests that we use all these ways everyday but most of us will lean towards or prefer one more than the other; that preference will feel more natural and comfortable for us. There are eight preferences, also referred to as the four preference pairs (pairs of opposites).

To reiterate, we do all the above, but most of us will prefer to use either Extraversion or Introversion, Sensing or Intuition, Thinking or Feeling, and Judging or Perceiving. Preference, in this context, is analogous to whether we are right or left-handed. We use both hands every day but prefer one hand over the other. This is just like personality type. One preference, within a preference pair, will feel natural and comfortable so that we tend to use that preference more often because we don't have to think about it very much. However, we do use the opposite preferences, too, but it can feel awkward, and we may feel less competent and confident when we use them, just like using our non-preferred hand. When the preferences are combined, we end up with 16 four-letter personality types. For example, ENFJ, ISTP, ESTJ, and so on.

Another way to think of our preferences is through the terms strengths and stretches. Because the preferences of your four-letter Type are innate (inborn) they reflect your natural strengths in life. The opposite of those preferences are considered your stretches (e.g., the preference opposite Extraversion is Introversion or the preference opposite Thinking is Feeling, etc.). We do use them, but it may be more challenging to do so. In other words, we may have to "stretch" from our natural styles when a situation calls for it. We don't choose our strengths or stretches. However, we can choose our behavior; we can choose to use our strength or stretch in any situation. Limiting ourselves (or others) based on the four letters of our personality type doesn't represent Type theory at all. Type is not meant to box you in; it is designed to help us understand ourselves and others better.

The concept of a personality type preference leads to my second point: the language we use when we talk about Type. Our Type is not meant to lock us in a box. First, we are much more than four letters; humans are complex beings. Personality type is part of who we are and is valuable as a tool for self-understanding. People will often make statements like, "I am an ISTP." But remember, we use all eight preferences, so a better way to say this is, "I prefer ISTP." By describing your type in this way, it tells others what you prefer to do in most situations but that if required you could stretch to the opposite preferences when appropriate. That doesn't mean it will be easy, it just means you can choose to do so.

"Extravert", "introvert", "sensor", "intuitive", "thinker", "feeler", "perceiver", and "judger", are terms often used to describe personality type and once again, this causes me to wince! This kind of language confines us. It says we are only one way and discounts our ability to stretch. Rather, I would say that I prefer Feeling, but at times I need to call upon the Thinking process to help me make an objective decision. Naturally, I lean into the Feeling preference and as a child I leaned on it predominantly. Type develops over the lifespan, a topic for a later blog, meaning that young people focus more on their natural strengths as they develop and learn to use them. As we mature, we begin to use and tend to feel more comfortable when using our stretch, especially if we have been working on personal Type development.

So, the next time someone asks you what your personality type is, say that you have a preference for ENTJ, for example, or that you prefer Thinking or Judging. The key here is not to limit yourself in your language or your life. Develop your natural style, your strengths, and pay attention to when you might need to stretch. Good Type development is all about honoring your strengths, understanding, and appreciating your stretches, and recognizing which one is appropriate to use in any given situation.

This is the third, and final article of the two-year study at Combs Elementary school in Raleigh, North Carolina, where the MMTIC® instrument and system was comprehensively incorporated into the school system. In this article Kesstan Blandin highlights the education the third-grade students received on decision-making using the psychological type Z-model, and student outcomes for the study.

The seven main student outcomes were: (1) developing type awareness, (2) enhancing their self-awareness, (3) advocating for their choices, (4) challenging themselves to improve their stretches, (5) improving classroom community, (6) enhancing their self-management, and (7) promoting motivation and engagement. Three of these outcomes are discussed in more detail.

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Imagine a world with well-rounded, caring, emotionally aware, and capable people living their best life with a healthy sense of their own identity and respect for others. Isn't this what we all want? In this article, the first in a series, Yvonne Nelson-Reid explores the interrelationship between personality type and the Social Emotional Learning (SEL) movement, and how that connection can benefit the healthy development of youth and adults alike.

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Knowing and understanding our strengths and stretches improves self-esteem and self-understanding. The first of the five core competencies of the Social Emotional Learning (SEL) movement is Self-Awareness. In this second article of the SEL series, Yvonne Nelson-Reid demonstrates how Self-Awareness through an understanding of type allows you to apply your strengths and reinforce your stretches.

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Communication and active listening are essential skills towards building healthy relationships. In this fifth article, of the Social Emotional Learning (SEL) series, this month concentrating on Relationship Skills, Yvonne Nelson-Reid describes how best we can communicate with others using their type language by stretching into our own opposite preference.

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In the sixth article of the series, Personality Type and Social Emotional Learning, Yvonne Nelson-Reid highlights how Social Awareness, along with an understanding and appreciation of type differences, can make way for the constructive use of these differences. Differences often drive us apart, but valuing these differences can unite us and instill greater compassion and empathy for others.

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Gracyn Nelson-Reid, writing an article for the From the Kids series, tells us how her preference for ESFJ and her boyfriend's preference for INTP has caused numerous disagreements between them due to their complete opposite personality types. It hasn't been easy for them but understanding their personality type differences has provided a framework for better, more respectful communication.

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May the fourth, popularly known as Stars Wars Day, is a day to think about the force within you. Gracyn Nelson-Reid celebrates this day with an article about the force (type awareness) within all of us that can be accessed every day. Everyone has the capability to access the “type” force and make the world a more understanding place. It starts with becoming aware of your personality type and what strengths and stretches you have.

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