Beware the ENTP!

You've probably been wondering where I've been (then again, maybe you haven't). A fast start, three daily posts, then nuffin. Kinda reminds me of my athletic prowess in high school: decent sprinting ability but pathetic at cross-country. Carol and Jenny Brinsden-Chin are witnesses. Having finished ahead of me on those forgettable days, they would have seen me stumble across the finish line as they sipped their after-race drinks.

My colleagues and I were subjected to a test a couple of weeks ago in preparation for self/team development sessions. Before you get the wrong idea about various prodding and probing taking place, I should clarify that it's a personality test called the Myer Briggs Type Indicator.

By answering a bunch of questions, the test helps you figure out whether you:
* are Extroverted (E) or Introverted (I)
* rely on your Senses (S) or Intuition (N)
* Think (T) or Feel (F)
* Judge (J) or Perceive (P)

You end up with one of 16 four-letter combinations. Turns out I am an ENTP, although as is the case with any system that tries to categorise people, there are grey areas (a good reminder that God has made us all unique).

I don't usually take this type of test too seriously. However, I was pleasantly surprised. The profile of the typical ENTP was a pretty spot-on description of me. Even better, it listed not only the positive characteristics of an ENTP but also the dangers/pitfalls of being one, including:
- going from enthusiasm to enthusiasm with little actually accomplished
- not taking care of the details and routine required to make positive changes
- not giving enough weight to the impact of my ideas and plans on others
- being excessively and inappropriately critical, challenging and stimulating

It was an eye-opener, and a beneficial guidepost at this stage of my life. I thank God for being sovereign enough to use a "worldly" psychological test to teach me about myself!

Check out www.personalitypathways.com/type_inventory.html for a cut-down version of the test, then visit www.mbtitoday.org/typechars.html to find out more about your particular combination of letters. Let me know what you come up with so I can start treating you nicely and/or behaving myself around you!