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Why companies are interested in Myers-Briggs types

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Re: Why companies are interested in Myers-Briggs types

#171

Post by BeetleB »

gilbetron wrote: post #126
Waterluvian wrote: post #41

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Better yet, you should scan the shape of each candidate’s skull and use that as a metric to aid in decisionmaking.

No idea why you're flagged or getting so much downvoting, this was a brilliant comment.

It's a sarcastic response.

Look, the reality is that almost all interviewing is far from scientific. I'm sure there are worse heuristics many of us use than MBTI[1]. The comment being downvoted is being perceived as trying to appeal to an argument of extremes: It doesn't follow that if you're following some poor methodology that one should consider even crazier ideas.

If we had nailed interviewing down to a science, I could see the point in the comment. Instead it's coming off as "Hey if you're going to do something imperfect, you should consider something extremely wrong!" We all have mostly wrong approaches to interviewing.

[1] Stuff I've seen:

Rejecting a candidate because they read Chapters 1-4 but not 5 of a textbook when the interview prep material mentioned chapters 1-5. Note that chapter 5 is not used at all for the job.

Favoring a candidate because of a strong handshake (cliched, but happens!)

Gauging the enthusiasm a candidate by assuming everyone is an extrovert (fairly common).

Using the MBTI is an improvement to these!

Re: Why companies are interested in Myers-Briggs types

#172

Post by bitmunk »

ncmncm wrote: post #138
121789 wrote: post #101

Earlier quoted context omitted.

it's a non-predictive meaningless classification that varies in time and has significant error bars. it is a horoscope applied by poorly trained, biased corporate managers. the only people that find it seemingly useful are inexperienced or incompetent managers

In other words, you don't understand it either. That is not surprising: you would need to learn something. That would involve work, so is understandably unpopular.

Saying "You just don't get it" isn't really an argument. The only times I've seen Myers-Briggs used are either as harmless entertainment ("Look at this meme. I'm such a INFP, tee hee.") or in Brazil-esque corporate settings where it could actually affect your employment ("Sorry, we were hoping for a XSTX person"). Sure, my experience is purely anecdotal much like most people here, but you could've shown us a counterexample, instead of wasting time implying that another user is a lazy moron.

You mention that hucksters peddle it for things that it's isn't useful for, but in what context is it useful? The realization that people have different ways of thinking, abilities and interest, which in turn means they are good at different kinds of work isn't the invention of the MBTI. Why does a 4-axis test help with this? Why should people take it seriously, especially considering it's highly commercialized?

Re: Why companies are interested in Myers-Briggs types

#174

Post by themodelplumber »

IncRnd wrote: post #169
themodelplumber wrote: post #16

Earlier quoted context omitted.

If they just ask you to spit it out during an interview? I'd move on to the next interview unless desperate. I wouldn't presume about what they know about me, I'd just say, look, my understanding is that personality type factors are not considered appropriate as hiring criteria, and so it wouldn't feel right to answer that. I know some would give the type that they feel best matches the position, which, I guess they…

I get what you're saying. I do. It's true that interviews aren't always easy to maneuver, but the interview process of today reflects the manager, teammates, and workplace of tomorrow.

So, are you saying that a sucky interview process at one place today predicts the general practices of the same workplace in the future? Or all workplaces? The first case seems kinda rational if not without exceptions; the second kind of less rational.

The first line about getting what I'm saying is typically used to telegraph disagreement beyond the point of consideration, which kind of weirdly raises the stakes for you, rhetorically. Humor is better, or feel free to tell me to pound sand because you are about to drop a truth bomb.

Re: Why companies are interested in Myers-Briggs types

#175

Post by tartoran »

jwilliams wrote: post #166

Despite some important criticism, I think this article misses an important factor. The benefit with the MBTI is showing employees that people think differently from them. Yes, we all know that, but we still need prompting and practice on it. It's best as an exercise to highlight "I need to consider this person's perspective and take that into account". Flexing that muscle is incredibly useful, even if it's a somewhat…

Yes, awareness that differences amongst us exist matters, especially when coupled in the right way can make things flow smoother, better teams and such - especially when we don’t ensemble organically but by chance of where we land. Even if MBTI is not science, just dwelling a bit on the different types of personalities or modes of functioning helps in appreciating most if not all team members. For a while I was not advertising my introversion, I was perhaps trying to mask it (which is taxing to be honest) changed over time , especially when more conversation about it ensued in part due to MBTI. It may be junk science but helps start up needed conversations about our differences.

Re: Why companies are interested in Myers-Briggs types

#176

Post by stephen_g »

smegsicle wrote: post #134
snapdaddy wrote: post #129

I feel like I am the odd one out in that I don't hate MBTI. I would not use them as a measurement of performance or individual worth, but I do think they might have some value as a team-building exercise. Imagine everyone on a team does a (free, found online, not 'legitimate') test and then spends an hour or two discussing the results. Everyone learns that the developers are not very agreeable (joking! Lighten up!) a…

a lot of people seem to feel superior by calling them horoscopes- similar to how some people will confidently tell you that the polygraph is completely useless and not a measurement of anything, just because it's not a magically perfect lie-detector device that should be used in courtrooms

What are you trying to say about the polygraph? Polygraphs are definitely and absolutely a net negative in any situation if the person operating it believes they work, because you get honest people failing them because the operator thinks they're "hiding something" from the basically meaningless output. As far as I'm aware, a lot of the people working with these machines fall into this category.

I guess on the other hand, if the operator did fully know it's complete pseudoscience, then it might be sometimes useful, because it could then function as a useful interrogation prop as long as the person being interrogated beleives it works.

Re: Why companies are interested in Myers-Briggs types

#177

Post by rpmisms »

Myers-Briggs can be useful. It's not some magic ball, but I'm an ENTP, which means I need to keep it fresh; I can't just chug away at one task for hours and maintain good output, I need to switch over to something else before I get fatigued, and then switch back. I'm glad I know this about myself, otherwise I'd feel terrible about my "lack of focus".

I'll add to this that Enneagrams are useful for understanding my emotional approach to things. I'm an Enneagram 8, which is a more combative, take-the-bull-by-the-horns type of personality. This can be offputting, so I consciously tone it down when meeting new people.

Re: Why companies are interested in Myers-Briggs types

#178

Post by stephen_g »

sarchertech wrote: post #153
colejohnson66 wrote: post #122

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Without commenting on Meyers-Briggs, the CIA/FBI still use polygraphs during their interviews despite widespread acceptance that it’s useless.

Polygraphs can be a useful interrogation tool if the person being interrogated believes they are a magic lie detecting machine.

But the problem is that (as far as I'm aware) most of the people running these tests also believe that polygraphs are magic lie detecting machines. So you get false negatives of people failing even though they're not being deceptive, while people who know what's up can lie and breeze past...

Re: Why companies are interested in Myers-Briggs types

#179

Post by senttoschool »

wikitopian wrote: post #164

Hopefully we INTJs will soon be able to apply for disability on account of being too arrogant and boorish to work with other people.

Every dev ops developer I know is an INTJ. They're usually the biggest assholes in the company - though necessary assholes in order to protect the service from going down.

I would 100% hire an INTJ for dev ops.

Re: Why companies are interested in Myers-Briggs types

#180

Post by batiudrami »

ericmcer wrote: post #173

I have noticed that people who get excited about Meyers-Briggs are very… employable? They usually are the same ones who chug whatever kool aid is being served.

You could probably say the same about people who are excited about horoscopes.
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