Introducing Extraversion and Introversion
We are delighted to bring you a MBTI® exercise sent in by Nancy Jenster. Nancy has been using the MBTI instrument since 1996 for executive leadership development programs for individual self-awareness building, and team building sessions.
Exercise to Illustrate Extroverting and Introverting
This is an idea I got from the model used by Roger Pearman during a seminar on Coaching Leaders with Type at OPP® two years ago. It aims to demonstrate the differences between the MBTI preferences Extraversion and Introversion, within a group or team.
For this exercise you will need:
- Flip chart and pens
- Paper and pens for the participants
- Post it notes or small post cards
- Clock or watch to keep time
To start, I first draw a round circle on the flipchart, divided horizontally across the centre, with a single stick figure on the left and a group of stick figures on the right.
Process:
Describe a typical day at the office, with input from the group:
e.g. ”I arrive alone, have my coffee, start my PC, gather my thoughts: I am alone, and happily reflecting about my day ahead.
Then the phone rings, or there is a knock at the door: My team needs me for an urgent meeting down the hall. I go to the meeting room, and there they all are. What do we talk about first?”
Get input from the participants on what types of activities or discussions come up. These are placed at the top half of the flipchart "egg". These activities could include:
"Gather data/the problem at hand today"
"New ideas"
"Goals/objectives/agenda”
"Social connection/small talk"
These items correspond to Extraverted Sensing, Extraverted Intuiting, Extraverted Thinking, and Extraverted Feeling, for later use in the seminar, as we explore Function Attitudes.
I explain that this is EXTRAVERTING energy, or INITIATING energy, and place this label on the flipchart in upper half of the egg.
We then imagine leaving the meeting with the team, and returning to our own space: I ask for input from the group on what is occurring now for them i.e.
Reflecting about what happened in the meeting (Reviewing / Rehearsing)
Wondering how this will work out in future (Envisioning)
Thinking long-term impact (Analysis)
Wondering about the morale of my team and the values of my team. (Values Check)
These items in short hand are: Reviewing/Rehearsing, Envisioning, Analysis, and Values Check, which are corresponding of course to Introverted Sensing, Introverted Intuiting, Introverted Thinking and Introverted Feeling.
I explain that this type of activity is called INTROVERTING, and is akin to RESPONDING, and this label is placed at the lower half of the egg.
Now the experiential exercise: A TOUR OF TWO WORLDS
Part 1:
Each participant is asked to think about one question they would like to ask the other participants in the group that would allow them to get to know them better.
This should not be an overly personal type of question, and should be short and simple enough to elicit a short and simple response.
The participants are given one-two minutes to think and write down the question using post its or small cards. (Without naming this, this is the introverting part.)
Part 2:
The participants are given 6 minutes to ask their question to as many people as they possibly can.
They are instructed to keep track of the responses. (Without naming this, this part is the Extroverting part.)
Part 3:
At the end of 6 minutes participants are asked to return to their seats, and then to spend some time "organising their data" gathered from their survey of the group. Allow 2-3 minutes of quiet time here.
Part 4:
Debrief: Ask participants to turn to the person next to them and compare which part of this exercise was the most energising for them: The quiet planning moments at the beginning and end, or the middle section?
In conclusion:
Explain that all people invest energy in both worlds, E and I, but one is preferred and provides needed energy to recharge our psychic energy bank. Go on to summarise E and I preferences using cartoons or other examples.
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