Yesterday I mentioned my tendency for perfectionism (email titled: "Warts n' all").

Whilst I had always been aware of this trait, it wasn't until I worked through the Myers Briggs personality test that my other biases came to light.

It was a transformative experience.

Not because there was anything surprising—reading the profile of an INFJ (my personality profile) was like staring into a mirror.

But seeing how clearly my personality could be sliced and diced was startling.

I had always assumed I was an overly sensitive, slightly eccentric, but on the whole regular dude.

But reading "The Advocate" personality profile validated years of feeling a little different—apparently, it's the rarest type.

And to see my strengths and weaknesses listed out in black and white was magical.

Strengths listed for INFJ's are creative, insightful, principled, passionate and altruistic.

Weaknesses include perfectionism, idealism, reluctance to open up, sensitive to criticism and prone to burnout.

None of the above will come as surprise if you've been subscribed for a while!

But having a complete list was helpful—it meant I could leverage my strengths in a more intentional way.

And proactively work on my weaknesses.

For example, understanding I'm naturally creative gave me the confidence to write more.

Coming up with ideas for videos and blogs etc has always come naturally, but this validated my desire to pursue this more vigorously.

On the flip side, understanding I'm a sensitive snowflake helps me respond to criticism.

For example, when my mother-in-law tells me the grass I've just spent two hours mowing isn't level, I'm better equipped to calmly acknowledge the feedback, without any inclination to attack her with a two-stroke Black and Decker hedge trimmer.

Becoming more aware of my propensity to burnout motivated me to introduce systems to avoid this.

Amongst other techniques, I now schedule midweek hikes and seven-week sabbaticals.

Now, Myers Briggs has been subject to some scrutiny.

I've read a handful of negative reviews, with some complaining the creators weren't qualified psychiatrists.

Another criticism is results can be unreliable for choosing who to recruit or promote in the corporate world.

Whilst both may be true, for me, the proof was in the pudding and evidence undeniable (I even read a handful of the other profiles to make sure I wasn't experiencing The Barnum Effect).

But if you can figure out which of the sixteen profiles aligns with you, the information will be helpful in both your professional and personal life.

What is revealed may help you understand why certain aspects of L&D are more of a challenge.

And why others come naturally.

One word of warning...

If you do research your profile, I recommend confirming your type with a professional.

Before my most recent experience, I attempted the test several times and received different results on each.

Working through this with my therapist was far more conclusive.

Do you already know your profile?

Hit reply and let me know what personality type you are.

Yours,
- Ant