What is Your Animal Personality Type?

Originally Published 12.13.2013

If you are really interested in becoming a Lean Six Sigma practitioner, aside from the technical part of being an expert in Lean Six Sigma methodology and tools, mastering soft skills such as facilitation, presentation, conflict, and change management skills are very important. To be the key change agent of your company, understanding your personality is the first step before understanding others.

A few weeks ago, I shared the three personality types used by psychologists. This time, I'll share something I learned from my Organizational Behavior and Process class: Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, an expansion of Carl Jung’s ideas about personality types. 

You may use this activity as a springboard if you deliver training, or an icebreaker when you start a meeting or a lean Six Sigma workout. Take note of the personality types of your project sponsors, green belts, and executives. This might help you understand how to flex with other people in your organization.

Although not as comprehensive as when you take it with a licensed practitioner, this test is a good place to start. Enjoy!

The four letters in the Myers-Briggs test represent your tendencies when it comes to social behavior, decision-making, and lifestyle. Those dichotomies are:

Worldview: Extroversion (E) or Introversion (I)
i.e. would you rather play with your pals or hang out at home with a book?

Information: Sensing (S) or Intuition (N)
i.e. when taking in something new, do you prefer to take it simply, at face value, or interpret/add meaning based on your gut?

Decisions: Thinking (T) or Feeling (F)
i.e. when making up your mind about something, do you primarily rely on logic and structure, or do you gravitate towards emotion and empathy?

Structure: Judging (J) or Perceiving (P)
i.e. would you rather things in your life be decided and set, or do you like to stay open to whatever options might come along?

The experts say that you are the best equipped to identify your own type, so for a quick analysis, you can just choose your side of the above questions and string together those letters for your type. Then, find the species of animal that corresponds below and see if you can relate…

1. INTP - Owl

INTPs are analytical and thoughtful individuals who prefer to work alone and who are often ill at ease in social situations. They are impatient with hierarchies and politics and would prefer that leaders prove their worth with merit, rather than with charisma and influence. Although they are not particularly social, they do have razor-sharp wit (and claws) and are often surprised to learn that people do enjoy their company.

2. ESTP - Fox

Dramatic, charismatic, and influential — ESTPs seek the best in life and want to share it with their friends. They are active, spontaneous, fun, and foxy. They are the most adept of any of the personality types at influencing and manipulating people, and they make great salesmen and can be wonderful friends if you’re looking for a good time. Read Aesop’s Fables for more information.

3. ISFP - Sloth

Peaceful and easygoing, ISFPs take things at their own pace and live from moment to moment. They are considerate, pleasant, caring, and mellow. Their values are important to them, but they are not ones who particularly care about defending or debating their views publicly. Don’t call them lazy — maybe they are just more relaxed than the rest of us.

4. ENTJ - Lion

Independent and logical thinkers who are also persuasive leaders, ENTJs are business-minded and ambitious. They refuse to allow any subjective emotion to enter into their decision-making process, and as a result, they can be seen as callous and cold. But these fierce individuals tend to be highly effective, successful, and incredibly powerful. They are truly the kings of the proverbial jungle.

5. ISFJ - Deer

ISFJs are quiet, observant, and thoughtful. They are interested in maintaining order and harmony, avoiding fast-moving cars, and respecting everyone’s feelings. They are often described by the few people who know them deeply as being incredibly sensitive and trustworthy.

6. INTJ - Octopus

INTJs are independent types, wildly intelligent and creative — but rather uninterested in what anyone else is doing. They are often considered the most independent of all the personality types, and they work best when given freedom. They are acutely aware of their own intelligence, as well as what they don’t know, and their passion often lies in conceptualizing ideas and processing complex theories.

7. ISTP - Cat

ISTPs are an interesting study in contrasts: they are naturally quiet and analytic, often drawn to the field of engineering or trying to figure out how boxes work. But they are also explorers who can easily become bored with a single routine. ISTPs are often closet daredevils drawn to racing, bungee jumping, or jumping off of high countertops. They are “live and let live” types who are not particularly concerned with rules or regulations and would prefer that others not concern themselves with their behavior either. Some have even remarked that “don’t tread on me” is the perfect ISTP motto.

8. ESFP - Otter

ESFPs live in the moment and want to experience life at 100 mph. They are incredibly playful, generous, and optimistic. They love being social and having new experiences. Classroom learning is not their strong suit even though they are intelligent and creative — they would prefer to simply “go with the flow” and have a great time.

9. INFJ - Wolf

INFJs are value-driven individuals who tend to remain mysterious and complex even after you’ve become close to one. They are often creative and inspired individuals. They are good at perceiving emotions and are sensitive to the feelings of others, but they are not very prone to revealing much of themselves until they trust someone completely. That said, they are intensely interested in the well-being of others and are often seen as protectors as well as natural leaders.

10. ENFP - Dolphin

Creative and contagiously happy, ENFPs have boundless energy and an appetite for learning about new things and meeting new people. They bring joy to others and are keenly perceptive to the needs of those around them. They are vivacious and popular enthusiasts. ENFPs tend to get bored easily, and they are always ready for the latest and the greatest in friends, relationships, experiences, and ocean-jumping

11. ESTJ - Honey Bee

ESTJs are civic-minded workers who strive to improve society and like to be part of organizations and governments. They are often conservative and they are strong believers in the letter of the law and the importance of procedures. They are practical and straightforward and have little use for “expanding their mind” or having new experiences. They are, however, outgoing, and they have no problem clearly communicating their needs and desires to others.

12. ISTJ - Beaver

ISTJs are logical and word-working conservative types. They enjoy organization and regulation and have a reputation for being serious individuals who take a practical approach to everything. They are dependable and thorough, sensible and earnest. Like a beaver hard at work on its dam, they are known for being incredibly dedicated workers who will do whatever is needed to get the job done. On the negative side, they have good intentions but can sometimes have a difficult time understanding the emotional needs of others.

13. ENFJ - Dog

ENFJs are social butterflies who are cheerleaders and supporters of a wide variety of friends and acquaintances. They hate bullying and they love to greet their loved ones with a face lick and a tail wag. They feel good when the people around them feel good, and they tend to adapt to the group that they are in very quickly, even adopting the values of whoever they are surrounded by. They are loyal and expect loyalty from others — think of them as the living embodiment of a “team player.”

14. INFP - Meerkat

INFPs are deeply ethical and idealistic, loyal to their family and closest friends, and guided by their desire to live a life according to their values. They are curious about those around them, but will not accept threats to the security of their adorable babies or their morals.

15. ENTP - Parrot

ENTPs prize intelligence and competence over all other things (both in themselves and in others). They are often described as witty, clever, cerebral, and resourceful. They are verbally inclined and they often have a perverse sense of humor. ENTPs like to analyze every side of an issue and are creative thinkers and workers. They sometimes chatter.

16. ESFJ - Elephant

ESFJs are genuine and authentic, and they care deeply about those around them. These are the kind of individuals who bring out the best in those around them, and they are serious about loyalty and responsibility to their families, friends, and co-workers. They are generous and they love to bring joy to others, but they are also sensitive and easily hurt. ESFJs are often blind to the flaws of those they love and they are incredibly trusting and full of love.

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