This paper was first published in the Proceedings of the 29th Annual Project Management Institute Seminar/Symposium "Tides of Change", Long Beach, California, USA, 1998. (Updated presentation, April, 2002.) Presented here as the sixth in a series linking project type through management style to project success.

Published here May, 2002.

Introduction | General Characteristics | Myers-Briggs
Comparison | Observations | Summary/Conclusions | Appendix A

Appendix A

The list below shows the sixteen MBTI personality type designations with the population percentages and page references from Keirsey and Bates (Keirsey 1984). Against each are samplings of the key phrases relevant to project management also abstracted from Keirsey. These abstracts enabled a subjective assessment of the suitability for project work of each personality type. For this analysis, six 'project' types were chosen: Explorer; Driver; Coordinator; Administrator; Follower; and Unsuited (to project work).

INTJ (1-2% p180)

...the most self-confident... think in empirical logic... decisions come naturally... look to the future... "builder"... if an idea makes sense it will be adopted... the most theoretical of all types... natural brain stormers... always seeking strategies and tactics...

[Suggest Explorer: 100%]

INTP (1-2% p186)

...see distinctions and inconsistencies... the architect of ideas, systems and edifices... search for whatever is relevant... can concentrate better [than most]... not impressed by authority of office, position... leaves it to others to be builder...

[Suggest Explorer-Follower: 50-50]

ENTP (5% p183)

...very alert to what is apt to occur next... characteristically have an eye out for a better way... keen judge of the pragmatics... expert at directing relationships between means and ends... not however a mover of mountains... count on ability to improvise... restless if a project they are engaged in is no longer challenging...

[Suggest Driver-Follower: 50-50]

ENTJ (5% p178)

..."Commandant"... basic driving force and need is to lead... strong urge to give structure, to harness people to distant goals... establish plans for a task... search more for policy and goals... places greater trust in empirical thought...

[Suggest Driver: 100%]

INFJ (1-2% p170)

...come easily to decisions... strong drive to contribute... visions of human events past, present and future... take work seriously... generally not visible leaders... very consistent and value integrity... good at public relations...

[Suggest Follower: 100%]

INFP (1-2% p176)

...idealistic... profound sense of honor... prefer the valuing process over the purely logical... take deliberate liberties with logic... adaptable... welcome new ideas... patient with complicated situations, impatient with routine details...

[Suggest Unsuited: 100%]

ENFP (5% p173)

...intense emotional experiences vital... brilliantly perceptive [but] can make serious mistakes of judgment... become bored quickly... enjoy creating a project but [not] the follow-through... good at initiating meetings/conferences [not] the details... difficult to work within constraints, especially in following rules, operating procedures...

[Suggest Follower-Unsuited: 50-50]

ENFJ (5% p167)

...outstanding leaders of task groups... high value on cooperation... influential... relate with empathy... intuition well developed... likes things settled and organized... prefer to plan ahead... comfortable either leading or following...

[Suggest Driver-Follower: 50-50]

ISFJ (6% p194)

...desire to be of service... willing to work long hours... when undertaking a task, it will be completed if possible... efficiency and effectiveness of a procedure not questioned... super dependable... [good for] middle management administration jobs...

[Suggest Follower: 100%]

ISFP (5% p203)

...artisans in their nature... hedonic and impulsive... do not plan and prepare... not interested in developing facility in speaking... instinctive longing for the natural, pastoral... insubordinate... spender rather than a saver...

[Suggest Unsuited: 100%]

ESFP (13% p198)

...radiate attractive warmth and optimism... great fun..."eat, drink and be merry"... problems will not be allowed to make their appearance... impulsive... outstanding in public relations... adept at selling... enjoy entertaining...

[Suggest Unsuited: 100%]

ESFJ (13% p192)

...energized by interactions with people... harmony is key... need to be appreciated, typically in the form of services... conscientious and orderly... good in teaching, preaching, supervision, administration, coaching, people-to-people jobs...æ

[Suggest Follower-Administrator: 50-50]

ISTJ (6% p189)

...decisiveness in practical affairs... dependable... extraordinarily persevering... counted on to conserve resources... practical... without flourish... interest in thoroughness, details, practical procedures... not likely to take chances... excellent supervisors...

[Suggest Coordinator: 100%]

ISTP (7% p200)

...impulsive... action is end in itself... act is self-directed, self-leading... seeing hierarchy and authority as unnecessary... [must be] free to vary each move... do not wish to prepare for anything... want no obligations...

[Suggest Unsuited: 100%]

ESTP (13% p196)

...[people of] action... resourceful... outstanding entrepreneur... conciliator par excellence... unwillingness to bother with follow-up details may cause an excellent project to fail... energies may be channeled into antisocial activities...

[Suggest Administrator-Unsuited: 50-50]

ESTJ (13% p188)

...in touch with external environment... pillars of strength... responsible... outstanding at organizing... like to see things done correctly... tend to judge in terms of standard operating procedures... realistic, matter-of-fact... loyal to institutions...

[Suggest Administrator: 100%]


Summary/Conclusions  Summary/Conclusions

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