16 Type Test

The origin of the 16 Type Test goes back to early 20th century research of Carl Jung (The father of modern analytical psychology). And it was built upon by Mother and Daughter, Katharine Briggs and Isabel Myers. Because of the indicator’s simplicity and ease of understanding, this test is the most popular and most well researched personality test out there. 

The theory categorizes one’s personality into 4 aspects.

Namely,

• Introverted vs. Extroverted
• Intuitive vs. Observant (Sensing)
• Thinking vs. Feeling,
• Judging vs. Perceiving

The theory hypothesizes that every person will have a dominant trait in each of the 4 aspects and it is based on these traits that a person handles most of their everyday situations. 

Extroversion (E)

• Are energized by people
• Enjoy a variety of tasks
• Works in a Quick pace
• Are good at multi-tasking

Introversion (I)

• Prefers working alone or in a small group
• More deliberate pace
• Prefers focusing on one task at a time

Observant – Sensing (S)

• Are realistic people who focuses on facts and details
• Apply common sense
• Comes up with practical solutions

Intuitive (N)

• Focuses on possibilities and big-picture
• Easily sees patterns
• Values innovation
• Seek creative solutions

Thinking (T)

• Tend to make decisions using logic and analysis
• Objectively weigh decisions
• Values honesty, consistency and fairness

Feeling (F)

• Tends to be sensitive and cooperative
• Decide based on personal values and how it affects other people

Judging (J)

• Tends to be organized and prepared
• Sticks to plans
• Comfortable following rules

Perceiving (P)

• Prefers keeping options open
• Comfortable acting spontaneously
• Flexible with making plans

One of the main reasons for the popular success of the 16 Type test is its simple four letter denomination of a personality type. 4 aspects, 2 traits for all 4 aspects that gives us a total of 16 personality types.

The First character goes with Introverted (I) vs. Extroverted (E), the second with Intuitive (N) vs. Observant (Sensing) (S), the third with Thinking (T) vs. Feeling (F), and the fourth with Judging (J) vs. Perceiving (P).

For example, INFP means introverted – Intuitive – Feeling - Perceiving

Our version of the popular info graphic will give you a good insight into the types. 

The best (and probably only place) to use the results of the test is in tailoring the interview for a particular candidate. An additional place you can consider utilizing this test is improving the cultural, temperamental and personal diversity of your company.

The last thing you must be doing is shortlisting based on one’s result of a personality. Personality tests will never be a predictor of job success or even the skills necessary for a job. Research on usage of personality tests for selecting candidates is shoddy at best. BEWARE OF IMPROPER USAGE

Distribution

Brief

ENTJs are idealists driven by a deep sense of altruism and empathy to implement their vision for humanity. They are very people centered, often acting as jumping boards for people. They are often good communicators capable of persuading people. Optimism, energy, forward thinking and resolve are some of the common traits of ENFJs.

Stereotype – “The teacher”

Character traits

• Reliable and passionate

• Charismatic

• Empathetic

• Receptive to feedback and opinions

• Sometimes gets unrealistic or too idealistic

• Possibly didactic

• Very intense

Distribution

Brief

INFJs are driven by their sense of idealism and integrity, and take actionable steps to achieve them. INFJs are the rarest of all personality types. They have a strong sense of personal morals and stand for what they believe in. They can be creative, resourceful and insightful. They might see helping others as their purpose in life.

Stereotype – “The Advocate”

Character traits

• Creative, resourceful and insightful

• Principled

• Often very passionate

• Perfectionistic

• Often very closed and reserved

• Sensitive to criticism

Distribution

Brief

ENFPs are true free spirits driven by their enthusiasm for novelty of experiences, people, ideas, and activities. They are often the most energetic, passionate people in the room, and are often expressive communicators. They have strong sense of originality and art.

Stereotype – “The Campaigner”

Character traits

• Curious and perceptive

• Enthusiastic and optimistic

• Fun loving and good natured

• Often great communicators

• Might go too far for pleasing people, and too accommodating

• Occasional lack of focus

• Restlessness

Distribution

Brief

INFPs are extremely idealistic people who are driven by their sense of optimistic core values and beliefs. They often tend to think more about possibilities that the present trivialities in pursuit of a better future. They are also very sensitive and caring people with a strong sense of compassion.

Stereotype – “The Healer”

Character traits

• Empathetic

• Generosity

• Passionate and idealistic

• Open mindedness

• Unrealistic

• Self-isolating

• Very self-critical

• Unfocused

Distribution

Brief

INTJs are perceptive problem solver eager to improve systems and processes around them with their ideas. They always seek improvement in all frontiers. Often engaged in solving complex problems, they exercise their intellect a lot to understand everything around them. They see the world as a chess game and try and strategize and move through it.

Stereotype – “The Mastermind”

Character traits

• Exemplifies rationality and logic

• Knowledgeable and Intellectually Curious

• Independent spirited

• Dismissive of Emotions

• Combative

• Occasional Arrogance

Distribution

Brief

ENTJs are natural motivated leaders to drive change. They see problems, conceptualize solutions, and accomplish their visions. They are often articulate, objective, assertive, and exceptional at driving people to accomplish their vision. They often see everything as a challenge for them win.

Stereotypes – “The commander”

Strengths

• Efficient and Energetic

• Charismatic

• Self-confident and strong willed

• Often are strategic thinkers

• Might come across as dominant and intolerant

• Occasional stubbornness and arrogance

• Rarely cold and ruthless

Distribution

Brief

INTPs are introspective, philosophical innovators, driven by their intellectual quest to understand, analyze everything with an unquenchable thirst to create, design and build “stuff” they love. They often come across as detached, when they actually are thinking about the world around them and analyzing patterns and systems.

Stereotype – “The Architect”

Character traits

• Analytical and Objective

• Original thinkers and often found with a deep rooted curiosity

• Fairly open minded

• Sometimes are disconnected from the world

• Occasionally come across as insensitive

• Often Impatient

• Perfectionistic

Distribution

Brief

ENTPs are inspired, unconventional, and intellectual innovators who are driven to primarily to solve impossible challenges. They are extremely confident, curious and open-minded people who seek to understand the world and at the same time to influence people.

Stereotype – “The Visionary”

Character traits

• Thirst for Knowledge

• Quick Thinkers

• Original

• Energetic

• Sometimes very argumentative

• Insensitive to people

• Intolerant

• Sometimes find it difficult to focus

Distribution

Brief

ESFPs are charming and lively people who find engaging with people one of the important aspects of life. They are spontaneous, energetic and fun-loving people, to take pleasure experiencing a variety of novel things. They are often talkative, and enthusiastic, enjoying to live in the moment.

Stereotype - “The Performer”

Character traits

• Sense of aesthetics and showmanship

• Bold and original

• Excellent at people skills

• Observant

• Sensitive

• Conflict averse

• Often are not long term planners

• Unfocused and are easily bored

Distribution

Brief

ISFPs are artistic explorers who silently enjoy their surroundings and living in the present moment. They are flexible, spontaneous and modest. They seek beauty in their surrounding and might even be creating art on their own. They also exhibit immense loyalty to their ideals and values.

Stereotype – “The Adventurer”

Character traits

• Charming

• Sensitive to others

• Imaginative and Artistic

• Curious

• Fiercely independent

• Often times, unpredictable

• Easily stressed

Distribution

Brief

ESFJs are conscientious helpers, sensitive to the needs of other people around them. They are also very dedicated to their responsibilities, loyalty to their traditions, and prioritizes friends and family. They live with a strong moral code and wants others to do the same.

Stereotype – “The Provider”

Character traits

• Strong practical skills and sense of duty

• Loyalty

• Sensitive and warm

• Often exhibits great people skills

• Too selfless

• Reluctant to improvise

• Vulnerable to criticism and worried about their social status

• Inflexible

Distribution

Brief

ISFJs are hard-working caretakers, loyal to traditions, people, and organizations. They are compassionate people motivated to provide for others. They can be conventional and grounded but are hardworking, and string to make contributions. They are conscientious and methodical people who persists.

Stereotype - “The Protector”

Character traits

• People oriented and supportive

• Reliable and patient

• Loyal and hardworking

• Very humble and shy

• Often take things too personally

• They overload themselves

Distribution

Brief

ISTPs are hands-one artisans who strive to understand the details to develop their craft. They could come across as often reserved and private. They place their craft as the most important thing of their life; seeking mastery is their ultimate purpose of life. They are very independent spirited and self-directed.

Stereotypes – “The Virtuoso”

Character traits

• Optimistic and Energetic

• Creative yet, practical and rational

• Often are “hands on” kind of people

• Occasional stubbornness and insensitivity

• Private and reserved

• Rarely has a dislike for long term commitment

• High levels of risk taking

Distribution

Brief

ESTPs are high energy adrenaline junkies always looking for the next adventure. They are very dynamic people who respond spontaneously to problems with practical solutions. They are very social and live a party life. They live one day at a time and striving to maximize them.

Stereotypes - “The Explorer”

Character traits

• Bold and direct

• Rational and Practical

• Very perceptive

• Sociable

• Risk –prone

• Might come across as Insensitivity or impatient

• Unstructured and not often the “Big Picture” person

• Occasional defiance

Distribution

Brief

ISTJs are responsible and logical organizers who get things done. They are driven to create and enforce order out of chaos and tends to be structured in everything they do. They know who they are, and where they fit in very well and they maximize it. Every can also be extremely conscientious.

Stereotypes - “The Organizer”

Character traits

• Honest and Direct

• Conscientiousness

• Strong willed, responsible, and dutiful

• Create and enforce order

• Might come across as stubborn and insensitive

• Judgmental

• Always by the book

Distribution

Brief

They are very traditions, conscientious, grounded and hardworking individuals who gets the job done, either themselves or by influencing people. They live by the book and get the work done in a methodical and structured fashion.

Stereotypes - “The Supervisor"

Character traits

• Exhibits dedication, straight-forwardness and honesty

• Excellent at organizing things

• Enjoys creating order

• Sometimes are inflexible and stubborn

• Uncomfortable with unconventional situations

• Might be Judgmental