Product Announcement: New Myers-Briggs® Communication Styles Report
posted by agammy
Many of the organizational issues we face including conflict, diminished productivity, and disengagement can be reduced or eliminated by improving one thing - communication.
That’s why I am surprised that it’s taken CPP so long to come out with a Communication Report, and why I am delighted that one has finally been produced. Yes, that’s right - CPP has just released the MBTI Communication Styles Report!
Since a big reason people turn to the MBTI is to improve their communication skills, this report is extremely useful, and applicable for almost any client session. I have to say, in addition to being organizationally useful, this would be a great report to use in a MFT counseling setting. How many couples or families are out there that could benefit from improved communication? (Certainly my own family, a combination of ISTJ, INFP, ENTP, and ISFJs that often results in SJ/NP split decisions.)
I like to think I am a good communicator, but, as with all new reports and materials that CPP releases, I had to get a report for myself to see if I could learn anything from it. Two immediate tips I benefited from were “Let others know when you are thinking out loud” and “Avoid critiquing while listening.” I found this combination of tips especially relevant for me (ENTP) because my style is to ask questions, think out loud, critique, and I expect the other person to prove their expertise in the subject, so I trust that they are coming up with the best solution. I always find myself baffled when someone comes to me with an idea, we start hashing it out, I point out ways I think we can improve it (all the while keeping the project’s ultimate success in mind) and all of the sudden I realize that I am involved in an escalated argument, the other person is upset, and we’re debating some personal value I’ve inadvertently challenged by thinking out loud, and assuming the other person understands that I critique my own ideas just as harshly as I critique theirs, and that I mean no harm by it! In other words, not understanding how my communication style comes across can cause a whole lot of trouble!
Anyone out there have a mis-communication story they want to share? Hopefully I’m not the only one out there who still has room to grow, communicationally speaking. . .
Another bonus about this report is the page of general tips for people who have received the report that want to improve their communication post-session. I noticed that one of the tips is “Discuss type development with the professional who recommended the MBTI to you. Type Development provides insights into why your communication style may evolve as you age.”
To me, that sounds like a perfect segway into inviting your clients back for a more in depth session to explore their type dynamics!
At any rate, I think this report is a real value add for consultants, so I encourage you to check it out - and feel free to post on this article, letting us know how it goes!
