Today, I borrowed this leaflet "Introduction to interaction styles", by Linda Berens. I found it interesting because she has divided the 16 MBTI types into 4 interaction styles (Behind-the-Scenes, Get-Things-Going, Chart-the-Course, In-Charge) based on 3 axis.
First axis is our "Communication Style": Directing versus Informing (ways we influence others).
Second axis is our "Roles": Initiating versus Responding (ways to define relationships).
Third axis is our "Attention": Control versus Movement (focus and interest).
Description of the 3 Axis
Communication Style - Directing versus Informing
Directing
Focus on: Task, time.
Intent: Give structure, direct.
Behaviour: Tell, ask, urge. Non-verbally moving forward, define.
Comfort Zone: Comfortable telling people what to do - less comfortable giving information and leaving alone.
Examples: Ask Bob for specific instructions on preparing the report. Ellen, would you call some hotels about dates in August for fifty people for a two-day seminar?
Tendencies: Impatient with emergent process. Often surprised when people resist being told what to do. May be frustrated by lack of clear position.
Tend to act certain that they are right. May be seen as bossy.
Informing
Focus on: Process, motivation.
Intent: Evoke, draw forth, inspire, seek input.
Behaviour: Inform, inquire, explain, describe. Non-verbally flowing, open, eliciting.
Comfort zone: Comfortable giving information only. Less comfortable telling people what to do.
Examples: Bob has some information that might help you with the report. Ellen, do we have information on conference sites for a two-day seminar in August for fifty people?
Tendencies: More patient with emergent processes. Often surprised when information is not acted on. May be offended at being told what to do.
More likely to seem non-commital. May be seen as indecisive.
Roles - Initiating versus Responding
Initiating
Focus on: External world.
Intent: Reach out, interact.
Behaviour: Initiated interactions. Fast pace, active. Extraverting and gregarious.
Comfort zone: Comfortable making the first move in new relationships. Less comfortable with silence.
Examples: Think out loud. Jump right in with comments. Tend to speak and act, then reflect. Easier to get to know.
Tendencies: Inpatient with slow pace. Often surprised when people don't want to talk. May be frustrated by lack of feed back and interaction. May be seen as intrusive.
Responding
Focus on: Internal world.
Intent: Reach in, reflect.
Behaviour: Responds and reflects. Slow pace, patient. Introverting and solitary.
Comfort zone: Less comfortable initiating new relationships. Comfortable with silence.
Examples: Think before commenting. Tend to reflect or try out something, then speak and act. Harder to get to know.
Tendencies: Pressured by fast pace. Often surprised when people think they are angry. May be frustrated by lack of reflection time. May be seen as withholding.
Attention - Control versus Movement
Control
Focus on: Control over the outcome.
Intent: To get a desired result.
Behaviour: Control information flow. Check against the desired outcome. Ensure the result is acheived.
Comfort zone: When they have a measure of control and say so over the outcome.
Examples: I wish they would just listen to me. We need to hold off on that project until we work through the bugs. Let's get it done now!
Tendencies: To get too focused on the outcome and be stubborn about the control.
Movement
Focus on: Movement toward the goal.
Intent: To see progress and action toward the goal.
Behaviour: Create milestones or benchmarks. Check in with the group for progress. Motivate and forge ahead.
Comfort zone: When they are given the project and told to go ahead with it and then things start moving along.
Examples: I wish she'd just let me go ahead with it. Good, we're making progress. Trust the process.
Tendencies: To get too focused on moving forward and rush to act without considering the result.[/SPOILER]
The MBTI types are divided into the 4 interaction styles like this:
Behind-the-Scenes = INFP, ISFJ, INTP, ISFP
Get-Things-Going = ENFP, ESFJ, ENTP, ESFP
Chart-the-Course = INFJ, ISTJ, INTJ, ISTP
In-Charge = ENFJ, ESTJ, ENTJ, ESTP
Description of the 4 Interaction Types
Behind-the-Scenes: INFP, ISFJ, INTP, ISFP
Communication (Ways we Influence Others): Informing
Roles: Responding
Attention, focus, interest: Control.
The theme is getting the best result possible. People of this style focus on understanding and working with the process to create a positive outcome. They see value in many contributions and consult outside inputs to make an informed decision. They aim to integrate various information sources and accommodate differing points of view. They approach others with a quiet, calm style that may not show their strong convictions. Producing, sustaining, defining, and clarifying are all ways they support a group's process. They typically have more patience than most with the time it takes to gain support through consensus for a project or to refine the result.
Keywords:
- Do what it takes to get the best result possible.
- See value in contributions from many people or information sources.
- Support the group's process by allowing for digressions then refocisung on the desired outcome.
- Reconcile many voices in communication of the vision.
- Make consultative decisions, integrating many sources of input.
- Focus on understanding the process to get a high quality outcome.
- Aim to produce the best products and results.
- Support others as they do their work.
- Define specifications to meet standarts and apply principles.
- Clarify values and intentions.
Get-Things-Going: ENFP, ESFJ, ENTP, ESFP
Communication (Ways we Influence Others): Informing
Roles: Initiating.
Attention, focus, interest: Movement.
The theme is persuading and involving others. They thrive in facilitator or catalyst roles and aim to inspire others to move to action, facilitating the process. Their focus is on interaction, often with an expressive style. They Get-Things-Going? with upbeat energy, enthusiasm, or excitement, which can be contagious. Exploring options and possibilities, making preparations, discovering new ideas, and sharing insights are all ways they get people moving along. They want decisions to be participative and enthusiastic, with everyone involved and engaged.
Keywords:
- Get everyone involved participating.
- Move the group to action along their paths.
- Facilitate the group's process to work with people where they are to get them to where they are going.
- Get the energy moving toward an emerging vision.
- Make enthusiastic, collaborative decisions that ensure buy-in.
- Focus on interactions to get more from the group than group members can get induvidually.
- Explore options that keep things moving along.
- Make preparations to make things easy for others.
- Discover new ways of seeing things and doing things.
- Share insights about what something means and what is really going on.
Chart-the-Course: INFJ, ISTJ, INTJ, ISTP
Communication (Ways we Influence Others): Directing.
Roles: Responding
Attention, focus, interest: Movement.
The theme is having a course of action to follow. People of this style focus on knowing what to do and keeping themselves, the group, or the project on track. They prefer to enter a situation having an idea of what is to happen. They identify a process to accomplish a goal and have a somewhat contained tension as they work to create and monitor a plan. The aim is not the plan itself, but to use it as a guide to move things along toward the goal. Their informed and deliberate decisions are based on analyzing, outlining, conceptualizing or foreseeing what needs to be done.
Keywords:
- Have a course of action in mind beforehand.
- Create a plan (or severel workable plans).
- Keep the ground on track, allowing for digressions as long as progress is being made.
- Devise, define, describe, or reveal the way to acheive the vision.
- Make deliberate decisions, checking against an already- thought- out process.
- Focus on giving guidance and illumination so the right decision is made.
- Analyze and figure out what needs to be done.
- Plan agendas for project completion and meetings.
- Conceptialize a desired result and how to get there.
- Foresee how people will respond and plan accordingly.
In-Charge: ENFJ, ESTJ, ENTJ, ESTP
Communication (Ways we Influence Others): Directing
Roles: Initiating
Attention, focus, interest: Control.
The theme is getting things accomplished through people. People of this style are focused on results, often taking action quickly. They often have a driving energy with an intention to lead a group to the goal. They make decisions quickly to keep themselves and others on task, on target, and on time. They hate wasting time and having to back track. Mentoring, executing actions, supervising, and mobilizing resources are all ways they get things accomplished. They notice right away what is not working in a situation and become painfully aware of what needs to be fixed, healed, or corrected.
Keywords:
- Get things accomplished (often through people).
- Take rapid action to get things done and move on to the next project.
- Lead the group to the goal.
- Articulate the vision and create an environment to acheive it.
- Make quick decisions with confidence in what is needed.
- Focus on getting desired results as soon as possible.
- Execute actions, work all the angles, and remove obstacles.
- Supervise others and provide resources.
- Marshal and mibolize the people, and financial and material resources.
- Mentor people, finding talent and burturing the talent to get the job done.
First axis is our "Communication Style": Directing versus Informing (ways we influence others).
Second axis is our "Roles": Initiating versus Responding (ways to define relationships).
Third axis is our "Attention": Control versus Movement (focus and interest).
Description of the 3 Axis
Communication Style - Directing versus Informing
Directing
Focus on: Task, time.
Intent: Give structure, direct.
Behaviour: Tell, ask, urge. Non-verbally moving forward, define.
Comfort Zone: Comfortable telling people what to do - less comfortable giving information and leaving alone.
Examples: Ask Bob for specific instructions on preparing the report. Ellen, would you call some hotels about dates in August for fifty people for a two-day seminar?
Tendencies: Impatient with emergent process. Often surprised when people resist being told what to do. May be frustrated by lack of clear position.
Tend to act certain that they are right. May be seen as bossy.
Informing
Focus on: Process, motivation.
Intent: Evoke, draw forth, inspire, seek input.
Behaviour: Inform, inquire, explain, describe. Non-verbally flowing, open, eliciting.
Comfort zone: Comfortable giving information only. Less comfortable telling people what to do.
Examples: Bob has some information that might help you with the report. Ellen, do we have information on conference sites for a two-day seminar in August for fifty people?
Tendencies: More patient with emergent processes. Often surprised when information is not acted on. May be offended at being told what to do.
More likely to seem non-commital. May be seen as indecisive.
Roles - Initiating versus Responding
Initiating
Focus on: External world.
Intent: Reach out, interact.
Behaviour: Initiated interactions. Fast pace, active. Extraverting and gregarious.
Comfort zone: Comfortable making the first move in new relationships. Less comfortable with silence.
Examples: Think out loud. Jump right in with comments. Tend to speak and act, then reflect. Easier to get to know.
Tendencies: Inpatient with slow pace. Often surprised when people don't want to talk. May be frustrated by lack of feed back and interaction. May be seen as intrusive.
Responding
Focus on: Internal world.
Intent: Reach in, reflect.
Behaviour: Responds and reflects. Slow pace, patient. Introverting and solitary.
Comfort zone: Less comfortable initiating new relationships. Comfortable with silence.
Examples: Think before commenting. Tend to reflect or try out something, then speak and act. Harder to get to know.
Tendencies: Pressured by fast pace. Often surprised when people think they are angry. May be frustrated by lack of reflection time. May be seen as withholding.
Attention - Control versus Movement
Control
Focus on: Control over the outcome.
Intent: To get a desired result.
Behaviour: Control information flow. Check against the desired outcome. Ensure the result is acheived.
Comfort zone: When they have a measure of control and say so over the outcome.
Examples: I wish they would just listen to me. We need to hold off on that project until we work through the bugs. Let's get it done now!
Tendencies: To get too focused on the outcome and be stubborn about the control.
Movement
Focus on: Movement toward the goal.
Intent: To see progress and action toward the goal.
Behaviour: Create milestones or benchmarks. Check in with the group for progress. Motivate and forge ahead.
Comfort zone: When they are given the project and told to go ahead with it and then things start moving along.
Examples: I wish she'd just let me go ahead with it. Good, we're making progress. Trust the process.
Tendencies: To get too focused on moving forward and rush to act without considering the result.[/SPOILER]
The MBTI types are divided into the 4 interaction styles like this:
Behind-the-Scenes = INFP, ISFJ, INTP, ISFP
Get-Things-Going = ENFP, ESFJ, ENTP, ESFP
Chart-the-Course = INFJ, ISTJ, INTJ, ISTP
In-Charge = ENFJ, ESTJ, ENTJ, ESTP
Description of the 4 Interaction Types
Behind-the-Scenes: INFP, ISFJ, INTP, ISFP
Communication (Ways we Influence Others): Informing
Roles: Responding
Attention, focus, interest: Control.
The theme is getting the best result possible. People of this style focus on understanding and working with the process to create a positive outcome. They see value in many contributions and consult outside inputs to make an informed decision. They aim to integrate various information sources and accommodate differing points of view. They approach others with a quiet, calm style that may not show their strong convictions. Producing, sustaining, defining, and clarifying are all ways they support a group's process. They typically have more patience than most with the time it takes to gain support through consensus for a project or to refine the result.
Keywords:
- Do what it takes to get the best result possible.
- See value in contributions from many people or information sources.
- Support the group's process by allowing for digressions then refocisung on the desired outcome.
- Reconcile many voices in communication of the vision.
- Make consultative decisions, integrating many sources of input.
- Focus on understanding the process to get a high quality outcome.
- Aim to produce the best products and results.
- Support others as they do their work.
- Define specifications to meet standarts and apply principles.
- Clarify values and intentions.
Get-Things-Going: ENFP, ESFJ, ENTP, ESFP
Communication (Ways we Influence Others): Informing
Roles: Initiating.
Attention, focus, interest: Movement.
The theme is persuading and involving others. They thrive in facilitator or catalyst roles and aim to inspire others to move to action, facilitating the process. Their focus is on interaction, often with an expressive style. They Get-Things-Going? with upbeat energy, enthusiasm, or excitement, which can be contagious. Exploring options and possibilities, making preparations, discovering new ideas, and sharing insights are all ways they get people moving along. They want decisions to be participative and enthusiastic, with everyone involved and engaged.
Keywords:
- Get everyone involved participating.
- Move the group to action along their paths.
- Facilitate the group's process to work with people where they are to get them to where they are going.
- Get the energy moving toward an emerging vision.
- Make enthusiastic, collaborative decisions that ensure buy-in.
- Focus on interactions to get more from the group than group members can get induvidually.
- Explore options that keep things moving along.
- Make preparations to make things easy for others.
- Discover new ways of seeing things and doing things.
- Share insights about what something means and what is really going on.
Chart-the-Course: INFJ, ISTJ, INTJ, ISTP
Communication (Ways we Influence Others): Directing.
Roles: Responding
Attention, focus, interest: Movement.
The theme is having a course of action to follow. People of this style focus on knowing what to do and keeping themselves, the group, or the project on track. They prefer to enter a situation having an idea of what is to happen. They identify a process to accomplish a goal and have a somewhat contained tension as they work to create and monitor a plan. The aim is not the plan itself, but to use it as a guide to move things along toward the goal. Their informed and deliberate decisions are based on analyzing, outlining, conceptualizing or foreseeing what needs to be done.
Keywords:
- Have a course of action in mind beforehand.
- Create a plan (or severel workable plans).
- Keep the ground on track, allowing for digressions as long as progress is being made.
- Devise, define, describe, or reveal the way to acheive the vision.
- Make deliberate decisions, checking against an already- thought- out process.
- Focus on giving guidance and illumination so the right decision is made.
- Analyze and figure out what needs to be done.
- Plan agendas for project completion and meetings.
- Conceptialize a desired result and how to get there.
- Foresee how people will respond and plan accordingly.
In-Charge: ENFJ, ESTJ, ENTJ, ESTP
Communication (Ways we Influence Others): Directing
Roles: Initiating
Attention, focus, interest: Control.
The theme is getting things accomplished through people. People of this style are focused on results, often taking action quickly. They often have a driving energy with an intention to lead a group to the goal. They make decisions quickly to keep themselves and others on task, on target, and on time. They hate wasting time and having to back track. Mentoring, executing actions, supervising, and mobilizing resources are all ways they get things accomplished. They notice right away what is not working in a situation and become painfully aware of what needs to be fixed, healed, or corrected.
Keywords:
- Get things accomplished (often through people).
- Take rapid action to get things done and move on to the next project.
- Lead the group to the goal.
- Articulate the vision and create an environment to acheive it.
- Make quick decisions with confidence in what is needed.
- Focus on getting desired results as soon as possible.
- Execute actions, work all the angles, and remove obstacles.
- Supervise others and provide resources.
- Marshal and mibolize the people, and financial and material resources.
- Mentor people, finding talent and burturing the talent to get the job done.