I spent a good part of my weekend completing my first assignment for class. We had to find an article in a scholarly journal about a problem-solving tool. The article I found was a case study on a hospital system that employed interventions based in social cognitive theory to change employee high risk health behavior and as a result lower health care costs (we aren’t talking things like sky diving or race car driving; more like high cholesterol, stress, and proper maintenance of chronic diseases). Then I had to write a 3-5 page paper analyzing and evaluating the tool.
My Bookman did a proofread for me and asked, “was that as boring to write as it was to read?” For a moment I wanted to puff up and get defensive and demand what was so boring about it. But then I smoothed my feathers, because in answer to his question, yes, it was terribly boring to write. These things are by their very nature dull, and I feel somewhat sorry for my professor who has to read all our papers. But then, maybe he is the sort who enjoys this kind of thing? He is teaching a class on management after all.
We also have to do a post to the class discussion board on the tool we read about and what its plusses and minuses are. One person had posted hers when I logged in to post mine, and yes, hers was boring too.
Last week I mentioned we had to do a version of the Myers-Briggs as well as a management style test and post about our results in class. Almost everyone in class is an introvert. There are about five extroverts out of about 20 people. There seemed to be much confusion over what introvert/extrovert means and unfortunately the professor did not jump in and clarify.
In the Myers-Briggs extrovert does not mean outgoing and introvert does not mean shy. Instead, these are an indication of how a person’s energy is directed. An extrovert directs her energy outwards towards people and is energized by being out and about among crowds. An introvert directs her energy inwards and needs time alone in order to recharge her batteries. It does not mean that introverts do not like being around people. There were a couple of us introverts who attempted to comment on this but it didn’t seem to make a difference.
A few people in class commented that they didn’t think introverts were well-suited to jobs that required public contact and performance like sales, receptionists, and even librarians at a busy reference desk. Since in my life I have done sales and worked in a busy customer service call center for a large mortgage company, I was offended by the remarks. But I also know how to pick my battles and this was not one worth fighting.
There are only a couple other INTJs in class and I think we can be picked out because we are the ones who make regular postings to the discussion board but for the most part refrain from small talk such as you’re from XYZ? I’ve been there before. It’s a pretty town. There are also quite a few Fs (feeling as opposed to thinking) in class which explains why the class this quarter is so very chatty. Fs desire an emotional connection which in class shows up as frequent comments of support and encouragement that tend to sometimes get off topic.
Other than the introvert/extrovert imbalance, the other type groupings run the whole gamut of possible combinations. Though on the management style test the class is overwhelmingly 9,9 (sound) with a back up style of 1,9 (accommodating). This despite the variety of personality types.
This week there are no fun quizzes, just the assignment due by tomorrow and lots of reading on communication and problem-solving. At least my assignment is done and turned in. If I apply myself I might be able to have the reading done by Wednesday or Thursday. Then I can reward myself by getting back to reading Sexing the Cherry. I am about halfway through and am loving it!
Mr. Bookman is a brave bookman to have even asked that question.
As a fellow INTJ, this comment cracked me up:
There are only a couple other INTJs in class and I think we can be picked out because we are the ones who make regular postings to the discussion board but for the most part refrain from small talk such as you’re from XYZ? I’ve been there before. It’s a pretty town.
I’ve told people before that I simply have no small talk. I am can write volumes to friends and family and total strangers, and I’m an effective public speaker, but the “you’re from XYZ?” conversations mystify me.
It’s so funny, because I am an F but I TOTALLY know what you mean about the off-topic chatter, that drives me *crazy*. I don’t know if it’s my particular type (the “J” makes me very orderly in most arenas), but I am NOT chatty in general and I cannot do small talk! I’m also an “I” but I do love helping people directly, so I know what you mean there too.
Hmm. Very interesting. I do think it’s the particular INFJ combo, because we did this at my work and all the other Fs are very chatty, which makes me feel totally ill at ease. The other two INFJs (3 in my entire workplace of over 125 people) are also sort of silent, but friendly, observers.
I love this stuff.
I am also cracking myself up because that was such a chatty comment for someone so “not chatty”. Heh.
“F’s desire an emotional connection…”
That statement just gives me the willies. Shouldn’t you get to know a person a bit before you get… well… personal?!?
Teresa, I can totally relate to your lack of small talk but “still” being a good communicator. Over the years I have learned to manage well enough when it comes to small talk, but it still stupefies me and I still have to work to come up with something to add to the small talk.
Stefanie, your explanation of introvert versus extrovert is so spot on, I am so going to use that when I have to explain the difference or why I still consider myself an introvert despite enjoying being around people and not coming across as socially incapable. As long as it doesn’t involve too much small talk.
As an F, I’d like to mention to Sylvia that it’s perfectly possible to be interested in emotions per se without wanting an emotional connection to every person you know. So there’s no need to get defensive.
We all had so much fun here with that Myers-Briggs test you linked to. My husband is an ENTJ, the Field Marshal, whose tag line is ‘I’m sorry you have to die.’ I have had a LOT of fun with that this past week, not least because other ‘famous’ ENTJs include Margaret Thatcher and Napoleon. And I got my son to do it, who came out as an ESTJ, or a Guardian. The description was interestingly poised between my INFJ and my husband’s ENTJ – which I found most intruiging and a bit uncanny.
Here’s to success writing many more boring papers!
I’d be bothered by that claim about introverts too. I’m a pretty extreme introvert, but I like my job as a teacher — it’s just that I need lots and lots of recovery time afterwards. I’m a INTJ but am very close to INFJ (I have a very, very slight preference for T over F), so I’m not surprised to find that while I’m not effusive in my online classes, I do like having some chattiness and emotional support. Or, really, I like it when my students are chatty, and I participate a little bit and do a lot of observing.
Found out I’m an ISFJ. But, I like the Popeye version better, to wit: I yam what I yam.
I just discovered your blog. Love it. I’ve considered getting a degree in Library Science several times. Hmm. Dunno. Still keeping up my reading, though from here it’s a little bit harder to find English books at the library. I’m reading all the Jane Austens right now.
I’m reminded of http://www.theatlantic.com/doc/200303/rauch
“Remember, someone you know, respect, and interact with every day is an introvert, and you are probably driving this person nuts.” Heh.
Sam, lol, yes he is brave and I appreciate his bravery
Teresa, I have never been good at small talk and oh how I try. It comes out so stilted and desperate sounding. My husband is a master of schmooze and he makes it look so easy I am always amazed.
Daphne, your comments made me laugh. You are right to point out that not all Fs are effusive chatterers. It is a matter of the combination that influences the whole. ESFPs are a challenge for someone like me, we might as well be aliens from two different planets. But it is fun to look at stuff like this. I find it helps me relate better to others.
Sylvia, lol, you need to move to Minnesota, you would fit in so perfectly with the culture here.
Myrthe, I owe my understanding of introvert/extrovert to my former extrovert boss and the contract facilitator she brought in to a peer group I was involved with to do the Myers-Briggs. The group was about half and half and when an E commented on the shy people everyone was immediately set straight for which I was grateful. I hope you are able to make use of the explanation sometime without the small talk
Litlove, what a fun and interesting combination you have in your house. I somehow was not surprised about your husband’s “Field Marshal” type. My husband is an INFP Healer type and I am the Mastermind. It is surprising how well we compliment each other.
Bikkuri, Thanks!
Dorothy, your comment made me laugh–”I like it when my students are chatty, and I participate a little bit and do a lot of observing”–spoken like a true INTJ!
Linda, you and my husband would get along great. He says he is a PBNJ on the Oscar Meyers Briggs test!
Michelle, hello, welcome and thanks! Jane Austen is even at her worst is better than most. I don’t know where you are right now, but the ALA has lots of resources if you are trying to figure out if library school is a good choice, and in the US at least, there are a number of schools that offer online degrees, Drexel, the school I am attending, is one of them. Happy reading!
Becky, thank you for that link! I have read the essay before but had forgotten all about it! This time I saved it so I will never lose it again.
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