What's Your Type?

In another online community, I had the opportunity to take this personality test. I love these kinds of things! My favorite business professor would always have us do things like this so that we could assess our strengths and weaknesses to help us succeed in the workplace. (She's also the one who suggested I read The Executive's Compass, which in turn gave me my life's motto and thus the blog name: It's All About Balance.)

The most incredible thing I learned about strengths and weaknesses is that our weaknesses are our strengths overused.

Before I heard that phrase, I was under the impression that our weaknesses were the opposite of our strengths. However, because we're aware of this, we do tend to concentrate more on what we perceive as our weaknesses, making them less weak. Our strengths, however, we're so anxious to use that we may fall into the tendency of overusing them, thereby, making them weaknesses.

So let's say you have a good eye for detail - might that turn you into an "anal-obsessive" at times? Or, a willingness to listen to others turn into never making a decision individually (or worse yet, turn what should be 1/2-hour meetings into 2-hour meetings)? Or, *sheepish grin* your need to express yourself turn into very long posts that don't get to the point?

I am an ENFJ, according to the Juno test. I'm an idealist that is abstract in thought and speech, cooperative in my style of achieving goals, and directed and extraverted (hmmm - you think?) in my interpersonal relations. (citing Kiersey Temperament Website)

Typelogic says that my personality type is a global learner. I have to agree with that. If I could be a professional student for the rest of my life, I would do so in a heartbeat.

It also mentions my tendency to take on more of the burdens of others than I can bear. Yep, I agree. I've toned it down a lot. Some, I'm sure, would think me as incredibly cold, but for me, it's all or nothing. If I care about you, I'd do anything in my power to be there for you. If I've found reason not to care about you, I don't even want to take the time for small talk. However, my empathy can take on unhealthy proportions. I've been known to cry and obsess about other people's problems.

What I'm most proud of, however, is the knowledge that Johnny Depp is also an ENFJ :) (As are Oprah, Abe Lincoln.)

If you're so inclined, feel free to take the test, and write about your own results, and let me know so I can read it - and obsess about your life :)