The Soft Side of Software Engineering - Part I Type and Temperament Todd Little - INTJ Individual Personality Types – Psychological type is a theory of human personality developed by Swiss psychiatrist Carl G. Jung (18751961). He observed that human behavior is not random, but instead follows identifiable patterns. Meyers - Briggs Introduced the MyersBriggs Type Indicator (MBTI) sorter David Keirsey •Introduced the relationship of Temperament to Type. •OpenSourced the Test and the Answers •Web enabled it Beware of the Stereotype "…one can never give a description of a type, no matter how complete, that would apply to more than one individual, despite the fact that in some ways it characterizes thousands of other . Conformity is one side of man, uniqueness is the other.” Carl Gustav Jung Why Understand Personality Type? Individual Personality Types Why worry about Type? The point is that people are different from each other, and that no amount of getting after them is going to change them. Nor is there any reason to change them, because the differences are probably good, not bad. Individual Personality Types – People are different in fundamental ways. They want different things; they have different motives, purposes, aims, values, needs, drives, impulses, urges. Nothing is more fundamental than that. They believe differently; they think, cognize, conceptualize, perceive, understand, comprehend, and cogitate differently. And of course, manners of acting and emoting, governed as they are by wants and beliefs, follow suit and differ radically among people. Individual Personality Types – These basic differences concern the way people prefer to use their minds, specifically, the way they perceive and the way they make judgments. Perceiving is here understood to include the processes of becoming aware of things, people, occurrences and ideas. Judging includes the processes of coming to conclusions about what has been perceived. Together, perception and judgment, govern much of an individual’s behavior. Understanding Type Can be Useful to Individuals and Teams Understand interpersonal dynamics Tasks team members tend to prefer to do Tasks team members tend to avoid Team diversity to achieve better solutions Communication effectiveness Potential areas of weakness How individual members experience stress Personal growth What Type Can Do... Type can help you better understand yourself and help you better appreciate the diversity of others. It does not predict – – – – Intelligence Maturity Skills Abilities But beware of Adaptive Behavior vs. “True Type” True Type Sources of Adaptive Behavoir •Parents •Society •School •Friends •Etc. Preferences A key to Type is identifying preferences – Preference is not absolute or “measurable” – Preference can be understood by analogy to handedness Type Indicator Tools Self-Selection of preferences Sorting “Tests” – Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) – Keirsey Temperament Sorter – Many others Temperament The 4 Temperaments – – – – Idealists Rationals Guardians Artisans Temperament Preferences Rational Guardian Artisan Behavior Relationship Empathic Knowledge Analytical Authority Responsible Impact Risk Taking Abilities Mentor Catalyst Organizer Visionary Monitor Stabilizer Operator Troubleshooter Values Authenticity Concepts Rules Excitement Needs Meaning Mastery Belonging Freedom Idealist Idealist Empathy Meaning and Significance Human Potential Authenticity Catalyst and Unity Integrity and Ethics Growth Rational Knowledge and Understanding Insight Competence Concepts and Ideas Strategy Logic Design Guardian Responsibility Membership Traditions Security Useful Service and Duty Artisan NOW! Impulse Impact Aesthetics Tactics Action and Variation Trouble shoot Common Traits of the Temperaments Idealists Envisioning Rationals Affiliative Meaning behind behaviors Sequential Multidimensional What’s in it for the person Guardians Realistic Pragmatic Artisans Favorite Abilities Idealists Diplomacy/Advocacy Relationship Oriented Rationals Strategy/Design Strategy Oriented Guardians Logistics/Facilitation Operations Oriented Artisans Tactics/Performance Opportunity Oriented Best Environments Idealists Expressive Personal Rationals Innovative Intellectual Guardians Organized Secure Artisans Stimulating Variable Which Temperament is… I am looking for an interesting job with a solid company. I want the job to last and have opportunity for promotion. I work effectively when given clear stated, measurable goals. Guardian Which Temperament is… I am looking for a position that is suitable to my level of expertise and one that is intellectually challenging. I do my best work when I am given an objective and told to solve the problem. Rational Which Temperament is… I want a job with lots of variety and action. I do great when you give me a project and turn me loose. And, oh yes--there had better be some challenge to it. Artisan Which Temperament is… I’m looking for a job in an organization that seeks to improve the quality of life. I am happiest when I can empower others to be their best. And, I must be able to grow. Idealist Which Temperament is… This widget’s going to set the world on fire. It’s fun and exciting. Artisan Which Temperament is… We’d better be sure all of the concepts underlying the construction of this widget are consistent with good design. Rational Which Temperament is… I’m concerned that some people will use this widget unethically. Idealist Which Temperament is… There should be some rules regulating the use of this widget. Guardian Distribution of Temperament US General Population Guardian Rational Artisan Idealist 47% 16% 21% 16% Engineer Management LGC Sample Ratio to US Ratio to US Ratio to US Population Population Population 79% 220% 75% 73% 122% 138% 50% 64% 94% 191% 61% 83% Type Combination of the following. – – – – How you gather information How you make decisions How you are energized Lifestyle preference The Mental Processes How you gather information How you make decisions S or N T or F S=Sensing N=Intuiting Both are used, one is preferred T=Thinking F=Feeling Both are used, one is preferred (S)ensing & i(N)tuiting When people are using Sensing, they know the facts, understand the planning stages, and work out implementation details When people are using Intuiting, they see the big picture, forge into new areas, and develop new possibilities Both are used, one is preferred (S)ensing & i(N)tuiting Sensing Intuiting Information gathered through concrete use of the five senses Information gathered by way of context, linking, and totalities – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – Sensing Details Present Practical Facts Sequential Directions Repetition Enjoyment Perspiration Conserve Intuition Patterns Future Imaginative Possibilities Random Hunches Variety Anticipation Inspiration Change (T)hinking When people are using Thinking, they discuss issues in a logical way, consider pros and cons of various alternatives, and spot the inconsistencies in a plan & (F)eeling When people are using Feeling, they understand what is important to people, acknowledge the human side of decision making, and help others accept decisions Both are used, one is preferred (T)hinking & (F)eeling Thinking Decisions based on logic and objective considerations – – – – – – – – – – Thinking Head Objective Justice Cool Impersonal Criticize Analyze Precise Principles Feeling Decisions based on personal, subjective values – – – – – – – – – – Feeling Heart Subjective Harmony Caring Personal Appreciate Empathize Persuasive Values Orientations How you are Energized Lifestyle Preference E or I J or P E=Extraverting I=Introverting Both are used, one is preferred J=Judging P=Perceiving Both are used, one is preferred (E)xtraversion & (I)ntroversion When people are Extraverting, they are aware of the environment, maintain their networks, and take action When people are Introverting, they pay attention to the infrastructure, conceptualize the problem, and look deeply into issues Both are used, one is preferred (E)xtraversion & (I)ntroversion Extraversion Stimulation comes from the outer world of people and things – – – – – – – – Extroversion Active Outward Sociable People Many Expressive Breadth Introversion Stimulation comes from the inner world of thoughts and reflections – – – – – – – – Introversion Reflective Inward Reserved Privacy Few Quiet Depth (J)udging & When people are using Judging, they generate systems, provide organization, and act decisively (P)erceiving When people are using Perceiving, they are open to new ideas, provide insight, and react with flexibility if the system breaks down Both are used, one is preferred (J)udging & (P)erceiving Judging Style is decisive, planned and orderly – – – – – – – – – – Judgment Organized Structure Control Decisive Deliberate Closure Plan Deadlines Productive Perceiving Style is flexible, adaptable, and spontaneous – – – – – – – – – – Perception Flexible Flow Experience Curious Spontaneous Openness Wait Discoveries Receptive Clarity of Preferences Extraversion Clear Introversion Moderate Slight Slight Moderate Sensing Clear Intuiting Moderate Slight Slight Moderate Thinking Clear Clear Feeling Moderate Slight Slight Moderate Judging Clear Clear Clear Perceiving Moderate Slight Slight Moderate Clear Web Resources The Tests – Keirsey Temperament Sorter http://www.advisorteam.com/user/ktsintro.asp – Fudjack/Dinkelaker Functional Preferences Instrument http://tap3x.net/indicators/5level2a.html Keirsey Home Page – http://www.keirsey.com Type Preferences E I Self-Selected Type Temperament Sorter My Best Fit Type Is S N T F J P Relationship of Type to Temperament Idealists NF Rationals NT Guardians SJ Artisans SP Distribution in US Population ISTJ 16% ISTP 6% ESTP 5% ESTJ 10% ISFJ 12% ISFP 5% ESFP 6% ESFJ 10% INFJ 3% INFP 4% ENFP 6% ENFJ 3% INTJ 4% INTP 5% ENTP 5% ENTJ 3% Distribution of Engineers Ratio relative to US Population ISTJ 112% ISTP 106% ESTP 96% ESTJ 126% ISFJ 37% ISFP 53% ESFP 39% ESFJ 29% INFJ 100% INFP 91% ENFP 51% ENFJ 68% INTJ 283% INTP 177% ENTP 160% ENTJ 321% Distribution of Management Ratio relative to US Population ISTJ 153% ISTP 69% ESTP 81% ESTJ 207% ISFJ 57% ISFP 27% ESFP 21% ESFJ 61% INFJ 92% INFP 72% ENFP 46% ENFJ 64% INTJ 186% INTP 56% ENTP 89% ENTJ 314% MBTI Types for IT Staff (Myers and McCaulley) INTJs represent just 4% of the population, yet form about 10% of computer staff. The other main types in computing are ENTJ, ISTJ, and ESTJ. MBTI Types of Software Developers– (Steve McConnell) ISTJ is 25-40% of all software developers Introversion – 50-66% Sensing/Intuiting – 50-50 Thinking – 80-90% What STs Seek Team Tasks STs Seek: Monitoring progress with statistics, graphs, and charts Managing costs and schedules Showing measurable results Detailed conversation shedding light on how something specific works Using proven methods to increase productivity Solving practical problems immediately Figuring out ways to complete or build something that’s been started What STs Avoid Team Tasks STs Avoid: Proceeding with a plan that’s not well thought out Using untried and unperfected methods Brainstorming with no immediate practical outcome Hypothesizing about the future Not concentrating on work Participating in self-awareness activities What SFs Seek Team Tasks SFs Seek: Using tried and true methods Friendly, sociable work relationships Finding practical ways to help out with the work and others Applying their experience to practical jobs Treating each other fairly Developing charts that document each person’s skills or needs Reviewing plans and materials others have formulated to see what works best What SFs Avoid Team Tasks SFs Avoid: Using new and untested procedures Debating the merits of various theories Analyzing and predicting the outcomes of strategic models Criticizing in an open forum, especially in relation to a team member they know Treating people as interchangeable parts of a machine What NFs Seek Team Tasks NFs Seek: Increasing harmony, improving relationships & interaction in the team Innovation and thinking up new ways to improve performance, creative brainstorming, conceptual/theoretical discussion Working with systems & systems thinking Doing work that provides growth for self and others Finding creative ways to communicate effectively Doing things that matter to people Working with diversity to improve output What NFs Avoid Team Tasks NFs Avoid: Working with costs, detailed schedules, detailed figures Performing control functions like accounting Setting up hierarchies and authority chains Playing politics Having to defend small details to a basically sound/creative idea or plan What NTs Seek Team Tasks NTs Seek: Positioning the team for the future Linking systems, strategies, and models, discussing theory and concepts; integrating Developing goals, and general approach to achieve the goals Finding opportunities for organizational growth and development Conducting long-term impact studies of complex problems Debating challenging questions What NTs Avoid Team Tasks NTs Avoid: Finishing someone else’s work Engaging in popularity contests Working with administrative details Performing repetitious tasks Participating in self-awareness activities Discussions which don’t appear to be related to a particular purpose Teams - A Definition A team is a small number of people with complimentary skills who are committed to a common purpose, performance goals, and approach for which they hold themselves mutually accountable High Performance Teams Clear, common purpose Diverse, complimentary skills Set of compelling, measurable goals Continuously develop critical competencies Understand each others’ skills, roles and responsibilities Commitment to interpersonal support and communication Predictions about Teams Similar types tend to understand each other sooner Different types are slower at the understanding High similarity = quicker decisions, but the process will be one-sided Low similarity = decisions made more slowly (and possibly more painfully), but are likely to be better Opposites on all four preferences may have special problems in achieving understanding Members who share two preferences from each of the opposites may become “translators” Predictions about Teams One person with a different type from everyone else may be seen as out of step “One-sided” teams should use behaviors from other types Good decisions will be made when: – – – – basic facts and realities have been addressed (S) new possibilities have been discovered (N) unforeseen inconsistencies and consequences have been accounted for (T) important values have been protected (F) Questions to ask about Team Dynamics What are the anticipated team strengths? What kinds of task will the team be drawn to? What temperaments and preferences are missing? What are likely blindspots? Who is alone? Who is likely not be be listened to? What conflicts can be anticipated? Who is likely to feel the most frustration? What is needed for the team to be successful? Decision Making Dynamics To include Sensing ask: – – – – What has past experience shown us? What can be verified? What is observable? What is going on right now? Decision Making Dynamics To include Intuiting ask: – – – – How do the facts relate? What interpretations can be made? What patterns exist? What are the possibilities? Decision Making Dynamics To include Thinking ask: – What are the logical consequences? – What are the pros, cons, and interesting alternatives? – What will be most effective? – What goal is being served? Decision Making Dynamics To include Feeling ask: – How can we communicate well with each other? – What exceptions for others need to be made? – What are other people’s feelings about what we think? – What important principles and values are being served? How to Persuade STs Show me that it works Indicate how it saves time and money Demonstrate a good cost-to-benefit ratio Show how the results can be measured Allow me to try it before I buy it Offer specific applications and benefits Answer all my questions How to Persuade SFs Indicate its practical results for people Show how it will clearly benefit me and those I care about Use personal testimonies from those who have benefited from it Show that it provides immediate results Set it in a personal context Show respect to me and others in your presentation Explicitly state the benefits; don’t just imply them How to Persuade NFs Tie it to a mission or profound purpose Show how it will enhance relationships State how it helps people grow and develop Give me an ideal to reach for Highlight the contributions of people Show how it gives new insights, possibilities, and perspectives Point out how it will help me or others find meaning Talk about how enjoyable it is How to Persuade NTs Show that it has intriguing and fascinating potential Be a credible source of information Discuss its research base Highlight its theoretical background Demonstrate how it fits a strategy or core goal Show how it will increase competency Indicate its broad and far-reaching possibilities Type Development Type Evolution – – – – Dominant Auxiliary Tertiary Inferior Birth - 12 Teens Twenties-Thirties 35+?-Never? INTJ (Introverted-iNtuiting-Thinking-Judging) – – – – Dominant Auxiliary Tertiary Inferior Introverted iNtuiting Extraverted Thinking Introverted Feeling Extraverted Sensing Type Development ISTJ 1. 2. 3. 4. Sensing Thinking Feeling Intuiting ISFJ 1. 2. 3. 4. ISTP 1. 2. 3. 4. Thinking Sensing Intuiting Feeling Sensing Thinking Feeling Intuiting 1. 2. 3. 4. Thinking Sensing Intuiting Feeling Feeling Sensing Intuiting Thinking 1. 2. 3. 4. Sensing Feeling Thinking Intuiting 1. 2. 3. 4. Feeling Sensing Intuiting Thinking 1. 2. 3. 4. Feeling Intuiting Sensing Thinking 1. 2. 3. 4. Intuiting Feeling Thinking Sensing 1. 2. 3. 4. Feeling Intuiting Sensing Thinking Thinking Intuiting Sensing Feeling ENTP 1. 2. 3. 4. ENFJ 1. 2. 3. 4. Intuiting Thinking Feeling Sensing INTP ENFP ESFJ 1. 2. 3. 4. Intuiting Feeling Thinking Sensing INTJ INFP ESFP ESTJ 1. 2. 3. 4. 1. 2. 3. 4. ISFP ESTP 1. 2. 3. 4. Sensing Feeling Thinking Intuiting INFJ Intuiting Thinking Feeling Sensing ENTJ 1. 2. 3. 4. Thinking Intuiting Sensing Feeling Type Development Ego Personal Conscious Personal Unconscious N T F S Collective Unconscious Type Development - Childhood Ego Personal Conscious Personal Unconscious N T F S Collective Unconscious Type Development - Teens N T Ego Personal Conscious Personal Unconscious F S Collective Unconscious Type Development - Twenties N T Ego Personal Conscious Personal Unconscious F S Collective Unconscious Type Development – Mid Life N T F Ego Personal Conscious Personal Unconscious S Collective Unconscious Dominant Functions at Their Worst (ISTJ, ISFJ, ESTP, ESFP) When Sensing is Dominant: May be experienced as … overemphasizing short term results unwilling to develop broader, significant change strategies over-focused on detail at the expense of the main intent unwilling to depart from own linear path snap decision-making Dominant Functions at Their Worst (INFJ, INTJ, ENFP, ENTP) When Intuiting is Dominant: May be experienced as … unrealistic and out of touch, in own world over-emphasis on future possibilities non-action oriented impatient with those who ask for detail or evidence for their concept or idea overlooking of important practical details Dominant Functions at Their Worst (ISTP, INTP, ESTJ, ENTJ) When Thinking is Dominant: May be experienced as … overly-cautious and risk-adverse too conservative over-deliberating at the expense of action a stumbling block due to over-criticism, overanalysis rigid and dogmatic about own thinking Dominant Functions at Their Worst (ISFP, INFP, ESFJ, ENFJ) When Feeling is Dominant: May be experienced as … relying too much on “gut feel” making decisions too much based on the way people and things emotionally effect them emotional reactions worn on sleeve at the expense of wiser reflection sees their inferences of others and their feelings as fact defensive and over-reactive Experiencing Stress (ISTJ, ISFJ, ESTP, ESFP) When Sensing is Dominant and Intuiting is Least Preferred: Doom and gloom attitude; end of the world; no possible way out; “The sky is falling” Hopelessness and denial Experiencing Stress (INFJ, INTJ, ENFP, ENTP) When Intuiting is Dominant and Sensing is Least Preferred: Detail-bound; stubbornly preoccupied with irrelevant facts and fine print Overindulgent; “Eat, drink and be merry” Experiencing Stress (ISTP, INTP, ESTJ, ENTJ) When Thinking is Dominant and Feeling is Least Preferred: Little things set you off; emotions are out of control and inappropriate to stimulus; may be hyperactive Feel worthless, guilty; take failure personally Experiencing Stress (ISFP, INFP, ESFJ, ENFJ) When Feeling is Dominant and Thinking is Least Preferred: Demand that blame be allocated; criticize; “You should have…” Dominate and railroad others; treat people as pawns or mere numbers Individuation – Integration of the Inferior Function For an INTJ, this may involve developing an interest in ESFP-type activities – Enjoying relationships for their own sake, rather than in joint pursuit of some scientific objective – Taking up sporting pursuits simply to enjoy them, without feeling the need to develop ever greater skill and competence. – Spending more time with the family and enjoying life – Developing a much greater appreciation for people, despite their lack of competence or intellectual ability Prayers for the Types ISTJ Lord help me to relax about insignificant details beginning tomorrow at 11:41.23 am c.s.t. ISTP God help me to consider people's feelings, even if most of them ARE hypersensitive. ESTP God help me to take responsibility for my own actions, even though they're usually NOT my fault. ESTJ God, help me to not try to RUN everything. But, if You need some help, just ask ISFJ Lord, help me to be more laid back and help me to do it EXACTLY right. ISFP Lord, help me to stand up for my rights (if you don't mind my asking). ESFP God help me to take things more seriously, especially parties and dancing. ESFJ God give me patience, and I mean right NOW! Prayers for the Types INFJ Lord help me not be a perfectionist. (did I spell that correctly?) INFP God, help me to finish everything I sta ENFP God, help me to keep my mind on one thLook a bird- ing at a time. ENFJ God help me to do only what I can and trust you for the rest. Do you mind putting that in writing? INTJ Lord keep me open to others' ideas, WRONG though they may be. INTP Lord help me be less independent, but let me do it my way. ENTP Lord help me follow established procedures today. On second thought, I'll settle for a few minutes. ENTJ Lord, help me slow downandnotrushthroughwhatIdo Prayers for the Types Amen