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James Sokolowski

Rough Assumptions of How Myers-Briggs Temperament Types May Affect Systems Thinking

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Research suggests that Myers-Briggs Type Indicators affect how we differ in our approach to strategic thinking and use of systems thinking tools.  I've devised a grid matrix which attempts to plot MBTI personality type against their possible preferences for tackling strategic problems.  I've also provide possible recommendations for helping support different temperaments in their efforts as thinking strategically.

NB. Please don't anyone be offended.  I constructed this model in a 2hr spurt of creativity, and can't vouch for it's academic rigor.


All strategic problems contain a level risk and uncertainty to overcome.  Risk and uncertainty can produce anxiety in those faced with finding a solution.  I believe people develop coping strategies for managing this anxiety at a young age, which over time affects how they prefer to tackle strategic thinking later in life.  I further believe the underlying drivers behind these coping strategies are based on their intrinsic tolerance levels to risk and uncertainty.  Anticipating someone’s tolerance for risk and uncertainty may assist managers in better understand how someone is likely to approach strategic thinking.  The below grid matrix contains my assumptions on the human biases which may exist when applying systems tools.  I have also attempted to assign the MBTI to each quadrant of this matrix.  MBTI Temperaments contain two MBTI, and this matrix allows for two traits to be circled.



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