What fulfills you most at work?

This image represents a word cloud that describes some of the typical characteristics of a MBTI type when at their best.

I will never forget the Summer of 2004 when I began my second internship at an iconic manufacturing company. I was incredibly excited to be back at a company that I loved, and I couldn’t wait to begin learning and growing in new ways. This opportunity would help me develop new skills, outside my traditional path, and I knew it would help me in the future.

The first week went smoothly and included some initial training and an opportunity to get connected to key resources in the department. My supervisor made me feel welcome, was supportive and excited to move forward. However, as time passed and I began working independently and performing the key functions of the role, I started to realize I was not having nearly as much fun as in my previous internship.

I enjoyed the company and appreciated and genuinely liked my supervisor and the team. However, I realized my new role could be executed completely independently and without any interaction with other team members, so I had no meetings, phone calls, or connection opportunities throughout the workday to fill that void.

The work I was doing was important and appreciated, I was learning a lot, and I was helping the organization move forward.  But I was not fulfilled and realized how much I needed connection with others.

Interaction with a team. Brainstorming sessions in meetings and finding new ways to solve problems. Collaboration.

I am highly energized by working with other people, and it is an important aspect for my overall job satisfaction.

In later years I was introduced to a powerful tool, the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI), and experienced incredible insight into what energizes and drains me, what guides my decision-making, and what my stress triggers are. A stress trigger for my personality type is Seclusion; if I had learned about the MBTI and gone through that self-discovery process a few years earlier, I would have known several critical questions to ask my supervisor to ensure the role was a great fit.

This image represents a word cloud that indicates some of the triggers likely to put a MBTI type into a state of stress.

You bring your best self when you can be your best self frequently; it’s called “fit”.  Myers-Briggs builds breadth and depth in self-awareness and understanding of your strengths as well as your blind spots.  It will help you consider opportunities and experiences, the potential impacts they have on you and how you can prepare to bring your best self. It can also help significantly with understanding your team members and supervisor more effectively, which creates synergies and increases efficiencies throughout the workday. As a bonus, you will also begin seeing your personal relationships from a different lens and may find ways to enhance your communication skills in all aspects of your life.

As a leader, giving your team the opportunity to participate in an interactive MBTI session with a certified consultant, can help provide insight into your employee’s strengths as you create leadership development plans, enhance the overall team dynamics, and help you strategically develop the talent you lead. Not only will this experience help your team discover those powerful “a-ha” moments, but they will have fun while they learn about themselves and their team members, and you will gain insight into what opportunities your talent will flourish in and what their stress triggers are.

My name is Angela Bonner, Chief Talent Strategist at Evolutio LLC. By focusing on team performance, I work with leaders of small to medium sized businesses to deliver and achieve their strategies, goals, and objectives. Through this collaboration we elevate team performance and build extraordinary commitment to powerful change. I am also certified in administering Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI).

If you are interested in creating breakthrough results for your team and organization, let’s connect!

To learn more about the services I provide, visit: www.evolutiollc.com.

You can contact me directly through email at: Angela.Bonner@Evolutiollc.com or via phone: (262) 225-3268 to schedule a complimentary 30-minute Discovery Call to strategize how this tool and approach can help elevate your team’s performance.