In the workplace, there will be always people of different personality types. The most common form of differentiation is by using the "Myers-Briggs Type Indicator" (MBTI), which is based on Carl Jung's theory of psychological types. The indicator is a reflection of personal preferences on four scales and was researched over thirty years before its publication in 1975. It has been used in the area of education, counseling, the workplace, spirituality, and parenting etc.

Robert Pascal of Bacal & Associates, has claimed that MBTI can be useful in the various areas:
1) Understand yourself better
2) Understand how other people see you
3) Develop style flexibility (eg. situational behaviour)
4) Understand others with different styles, and become more tolerant of stylistic differences
5) Build better teams

As a reference, Jon Noring has taken the effort of listing the 16 personality types with a short summary. This appeared in the About.com site and has been listed here for your reference. Which do you belong?

1) "Pedagogue". Outstanding leader of groups. Can be aggressive at helping others to be the best that they can be.

2) "Author". Strong drive and enjoyment to help others. Complex personality.

3) "Journalist". Uncanny sense of the motivations of others. Life is an exciting drama.

4) "Questor". High capacity for caring. Calm and pleasant face to the world. High sense of honor derived from internal values.

5) "Field Marshall". The basic driving force and need is to lead. Tend to seek a position of responsibility and enjoys being an executive.

6) "Scientist". Most self-confident and pragmatic of all the types. Decisions come very easily. A builder of systems and the applier of theoretical models.

7) "Inventor". Enthusiastic interest in everything and always sensitive to possibilities. Non-conformist and innovative.

8) "Architect". Greatest precision in thought and language. Can readily discern contradictions and inconsistencies. The world exists primarily to be understood.

9) "Administrator". Much in touch with the external environment. Very responsible. Pillar of strength.

10) "Trustee". Decisiveness in practical affairs. Guardian of time-honored institutions. Dependable.

11) "Seller". Most sociable of all types. Nurturer of harmony. Outstanding host or hostesses.

12) "Conservator". Desires to be of service and to minister to individual needs - very loyal.

13) "Promoter". Action! When present, things begin to happen. Fiercely competitive. Entrepreneur. Often uses shock effect to get attention. Negotiator par excellence.

14) "Entertainer". Radiates attractive warmth and optimism. Smooth, witty, charming, and clever. Fun to be with. Very generous.

15) "Artisan". Impulsive action. Life should be of impulse rather than of purpose. Action is an end to itself. Fearless, craves excitement, master of tools.

16) "Artist". Interested in the fine arts. Expression primarily through action or art form. The senses are keener than in other types.

Here are some tips to apply MBTI effectively in the workplace:

1) An effective team has members of different personality types. Team members should harness their strengths to get the best results.

2) The MBTI is not meant as a tool to criticize employees and should never be used to assess an employee's promotional chances. The employee should be assigned a task that emphasizes he strengths.

3) The MBTI can also be incorporated in feedback forms so that the marketing team can understand the preferences of the customers. This can bring good results for an advertising campaign.

4) The MBTI can also ensure that employees benefit from the various training programmes.

This article has been contributed by Colin Ong TS, Managing Director of MR=MC Consulting Pte Ltd (http://www.mrmc.com.sg) which provides Customized Training for Organizations and Educational Institutions in the area of Knowledge Management, Workplace Issues & New Technology Empowerment.