Collaborating with Different Personality Types

When I first thought about the topic “collaborating with different personality types” my first response was to think about collaborating with fellow staff and professionals with different personality types…and so, I will continue this journey. As teachers, it is critical that we work with fellow staff, administrators and other professionals (not to mention parents) in a collaborative way. This collaboration can affect our students, directly and indirectly.

When thinking about collaborating with colleagues, we must first understand our own personality type. Interestingly (to me), when I have completed the Myers-Briggs personality type indicator in the past (on two separate occasions), I received an ENFP indicator on both occasions. When I completed the online version of the scale for this course, I was categorized as an ENFJ. It seems that my MANY years of schooling may have turned me into more of a “j” (Judging). To succeed in formal academic education, it is often important to be scheduled and organized and to adhere to deadlines (more of a “J” strength). Further, in my work, my increasing Judging “ness” has supported my success. Perhaps, as described by Mamchur (pg. 2), this reflects my process of individuation (though I doubt it J ). Perhaps this class is supporting our processes of individuation as we learn to understand, appreciate and value other personality types.

Upon reflecting on my own personality type and how I function in the world (mainly, how I collaborate with others), I came to realize that there are certain “other” personality types with which I am more “productive” (in the strict capitalist definition of the word). As was mentioned in Mamchur (p. 48) in her scenario of “matching” student teachers and mentors, I have noticed that I am sometimes better at collaborating with different personality types than my own. Specifically, it seems, within environments that objective goals need to be met in a timely manner, I often find it more effective to collaborate with people who are “TJ”s. Collaborating with other FP’s makes it harder for me to stay organized and focused. Further, it seems more difficult to make effective and timely decisions based on fact. It’s easier for me to be “productive” when I am working with decisive people who create a sense of structure. In contrast, I sometimes find it difficult to collaborate with others who perceive the outside world quite differently then I do (i.e., Sensing versus Intuition). I am curious to know how this might apply for students? For example, I am wondering if a “J” teacher might in fact support a “P” student to function better within the traditional school structure (particularly if this “J” teacher is empathetic and understanding of the “P” student). I am curious to know how other people “collaborate” with different personality types in their adult lives? I look forward to hearing your thoughts.

I love the quote that Mandeep referred to in her blog. I also firmly believe that teachers can “understand and accept differences. It also helps us to meet the needs of others,” (Mamchur, p. 83)