Explore this deep-dive into the Myers-Briggs MBTI and discover personality types that work well together in a business setting, through an analysis of Myers-Briggs compatibility.

No man is an island, and there’s no “I” in team, it is commonly said that teamwork makes the dream work – there are millions of motivational quotes out there to remind us that we’re better together.

But to ignore the little (and sometimes big) quirks and differences between co-workers and business partners ultimately does a disservice to our growing businesses.

Over 80% of Fortune 500 companies report using some sort of personality inventory to evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of their employees.

This information can be incredibly useful when assembling project-based teams, as well as providing insight on how best to handle management issues and improve organizational communications.

Let’s explore personality type compatibility and how you can leverage this to maximize teamwork.

What is the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI)?

The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) is a psychological tool designed to categorize different personality types based on how individuals perceive the world and make decisions.

Developed by Katharine Cook Briggs and her daughter Isabel Briggs Myers, it is based on the typological theory proposed by Carl Jung, who had speculated that humans experience the world using four principal psychological functions – sensation, intuition, feeling, and thinking – and that one of these four functions is dominant for a person most of the time.

The MBTI sorts people into 16 different personality types, based on four dichotomies, with each type represented by a combination of four letters:

  1. Extraversion (E) or Introversion (I): This dichotomy assesses where people prefer to get or focus their energy—either from the external world (extraversion) or their internal world (introversion).
  2. Sensing (S) or Intuition (N): This scale involves the kind of information people prefer to gather and trust. Sensing indicates a preference for concrete, factual information, while Intuition signifies a preference for interpreting and adding meaning.
  3. Thinking (T) or Feeling (F): This dichotomy considers how people prefer to make decisions. Thinking types tend to decide based on logic and objective criteria, while Feeling types are more likely to consider people and emotions in their decision-making process.
  4. Judging (J) or Perceiving (P): This scale relates to how people prefer to organize their lives. Judging types like decisions to be made and matters to be settled, while Perceiving types prefer to stay open to new information and options.

Each of the 16 unique personality types (like INFP, ESTJ, etc.) is a combination of these preferences, and the MBTI suggests that individuals inherently prefer one overall combination of type preferences.

While it’s important to remember these personality types are not always hard and fast and that there exists a spectrum even within classifications, there are some types that seem to naturally work better together.

It’s important to note that its scientific validity and reliability as a psychometric instrument have been the subject of criticism. Despite this, many find it a useful framework for understanding personality differences and improving communication and teamwork.

8 Key Personality Types That Work Well Together According to Myers-Briggs MTBI

Knowing the personality type of a potential business partner, or, work teammate can help you to understand how to work with them in a way that maximizes both of your efforts and effectively leverages your unique talents.

Within your team it is inevitable that there will be countless different MBTI personality types among your staff, you should consider the below combinations to maximize the compatibility between teams.

1. What Personality Type is Most Compatible With ISTJ?

ISTJ personalities are ultra-organized problem-solvers who thrive in fact-based work, whereas ESTP is a great balance to this personality,

This is because ESTPs are realistic, analytic thinkers, alongside possessing great people skills, and an energy that can completely reinvigorate a team’s workflow.

ISTJ makes a great behind-the-scenes powerhouse, while ESTP thrives in the role of entrepreneurship.

2. What Personality Type is Most Compatible With INTP?

Both INTP and INTJ delight in highly conceptual work, so if you work in a technical field like architecture or engineering, you may find these personalities to be quite abundant within your staff.

Both are hyper-logical, but INTP brings an intellectual curiosity that drives innovation and INTJ brings that home with their decisive nature and strength in implementation.

3. What Personality Type is Most Compatible With ENFP?

ENFP personalities are deeply caring and outgoing, they thrive in service-oriented roles that make good use of their creativity – this compliments their excellent communication skills as well.

INFJ collaborates well with them due to their natural sensitivity to others and their strength for reading people, combined with a drive to create work that has genuine meaning.

4. What Personality Type is Most Compatible With ENTJ?

ENTJ personalities are often the stars of the corporate world – They’re strong, capable leaders who excel at organization and planning.

With hyper-logical expert critical thinking skills, they mesh well with ISTP personalities.

ISTP personalities are analytical and hands-on workers who have a natural strength for problem-solving and respond well to working in a structured and methodical fashion.

5. What Personality Type is Most Compatible With ISFP?

ISFP personalities are the natural-born nurturers of the world – they’re loyal, adaptable and highly sympathetic to the experiences of their teammates.

ESFP have a similar love of helping others, but they are more open and energetic, seeking excitement in their work and tapping into their innate resourcefulness to create something that both serves people and creates buzz.

6. What Personality Type is Most Compatible With ENTP?

Get two extroverts on a team together and the fire will be palpable!

ENTPs are great problem solvers and natural born leaders – they work well with most other types, but pairing them with an ENFJ could take your project to the next level.

Both of these personalities love to work in a group and are great communicators. ENTPs bring tons of energy and ENFJs lend natural charisma.

7. What Personality Type is Most Compatible With ISFJ?

Both of these introverted personalities are naturally warm and helpful, ISFJs, though, are extremely skilled at detail-oriented tasks and are effortlessly organized and thorough in their work.

INFPs balance this nicely with their strong communication skills (they’re great with the written word) and their innately inquisitive and creative nature.

8. What Personality Type is Most Compatible With ESFJ?

These personalities have a lot of overlap but differ in the Feeling vs. Thinking component.

ESFJs are very people-oriented and sociable, they thrive on that interaction and being able to fulfil the needs of others.

ESTJs are natural leaders and their “thinking” strengths lead them to be logical, assertive, and decisive, making them a strong backup to the ESFJ.

Conflict Resolution Through MBTI Understanding

Conflicts in the workplace are often a result of miscommunication between different personality types.

By understanding the MBTI profiles of team members, managers can tailor their conflict resolution strategies to be more effective.

For example, if a conflict arises between an ISTJ and an ENFP, the manager should recognize that the ISTJ may prefer dealing with facts and logic, while the ENFP may be more concerned with the emotional impact of the situation.

Addressing both these aspects can lead to a more satisfactory resolution for both parties.

Training sessions on MBTI can also help team members understand their own and their colleagues’ communication styles, triggers for stress, and preferred methods of conflict resolution.

This awareness can prevent conflicts and also make the resolution process more empathetic and efficient when issues do arise.

MBTI in Team Dynamics

Understanding the dynamics of different personality types within a team is crucial for fostering a productive and harmonious work environment.

The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) offers valuable insights into how diverse personality types can effectively collaborate and complement each other.

This section explores the role of each MBTI type in a team, focusing on their strengths, potential challenges, and how they interact with other types.

For instance, while INTJs might excel in strategic planning and long-term vision, ESFPs can bring a practical, hands-on approach to immediate tasks.

By recognizing and valuing these diverse contributions, teams can leverage their collective strengths, leading to more innovative solutions and effective problem-solving.

Additionally, understanding these dynamics helps in assigning roles that align with each member’s natural preferences, enhancing job satisfaction and team productivity.

MBTI and Communication Styles

Effective communication is key to the success of any business endeavor, and MBTI provides a framework for understanding and improving communication within teams.

Different MBTI types have distinct communication preferences and styles.

For example, types with a preference for Extraversion (E) may communicate more openly and prefer group discussions, while Introverted (I) types might favor written communication or smaller, more intimate meetings.

Similarly, Thinking (T) types tend to focus on facts and logic in their communication, whereas Feeling (F) types are more likely to consider emotions and values.

Understanding these differences can help in tailoring communication strategies to suit various team members, leading to more effective and efficient interactions.

This section would offer practical tips for adapting communication methods to different MBTI types, thereby enhancing mutual understanding and reducing potential misunderstandings or conflicts.

Challenges and Criticisms of MBTI

While MBTI is a popular tool for understanding personality types, it is not without its criticisms.

Critics argue that the MBTI oversimplifies personality traits into binary categories, which may not accurately reflect the complexity of human behavior and preferences.

Additionally, some psychological studies question the reliability and validity of MBTI, suggesting that people’s results can change over time. This section would delve into these criticisms, exploring alternative viewpoints and the implications for using MBTI in professional settings.

It would also discuss how businesses can approach these challenges, such as by using MBTI as one of several tools in understanding employee dynamics, rather than as a definitive guide.

Furthermore, it would highlight the importance of using MBTI responsibly and ethically, ensuring that it is not used to pigeonhole or limit individuals, but rather as a means to foster greater understanding and collaboration within teams.

The Bottom Line: Best Myers-Briggs Personality Types for Business

These are just a few of the many combinations of MBTI personalities you may encounter in your business relationships.

And while it won’t always be a fool-proof method, understanding how your partner or teammate sees the world, alongside their natural strengths or weaknesses can be essential to producing a quality work product together.

Using MBTI personality type compatibility to structure the composition of your teams can unlock huge efficiency and employee retention savings, ultimately enabling the productivity of your business to soar.

Consider taking the time to consult with human resources professionals to determine the best MBTI types working together and maximize the benefits and implementation of these ideas.

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