I’m doing all this business planning-type-stuff at the moment and part of it is to work out what you’re actually good at and not, your strengths and weaknesses, and to take responsibility or delegate accordingly rather than doing the lot yourself.
So I took this Myers-Briggs Test and it turns out I’m an ‘INTJ’… sometimes called a ‘Mastermind’! That’s right, I am secretly plotting to take over the world. Mwahahah!
INTJ = Introverted – iNtuitive -Thinking – Judging
(Wikipedia summary here, as well as a bit of background to the test)
I’m a schemer, plotter, planner, solutions-finder, details type of gal. I mull over options, weighing up pros and cons before coming to a solution. I like systems and efficiency, and am rather objective and practical when it comes to the work I create. I plan contingencies, just in case something goes wrong. I’m constantly learning about some new thing or other to solve any problems I have or may come up against.
Often suited to… being a scientist. Or a librarian! Ugh.
Though there’s hope… there was mention of this INTJ type going into the arts, so all is not lost.
I know I’m in the right career, no worries about that, but what’s interesting about this is that it illustrates my approach to whatever I do… and the blog posts and articles I’ve been writing here and on ScorecastOnline for my Composer’s Tips and Tricks column.
Am I successful in this business because of my personality type? My last post for ScorecastOnline about what it takes to become and stay a ‘Pro’ composer and this post about plotting the sound design for the experimental theatre show Silica were both perfect examples of my approach to business and work: planning, systems, constant improvement and self-education, deep focus and the challenge of finding a solution by thinking, lots and lots and lots.
Even this post on What to Do When You Hate Networking is clearly a workaround for the Introverted bit of me.
I love the basics of music theory. Not just like it, I adore it, that music can be broken down into numbers and logical progressions, that it’s written out like a graph of pitch vs time. That I can analyse a piece of music just from listening and tell you exactly what interval is in there that people love when they hear it but don’t know why or what chord progression is being reused again and again or what musical ingredients are perfect for a particular project, because of this theory. Again – perfectly to type. Soooo predictable!
It’s quite fun to see what other famous peeps share the INTJ trait. I got Michelle Obama and the lovely John (my other half) got Barack. We may be on the right track.
Most importantly, I share this personality type with Jean-Luc Picard and Seven of Nine. Awesome.
I’d be seriously interested to find out what the personality types are of the composers, filmmakers, writers, designers and other media- or arty-types out there, my lovely readers.
Does your style of being in the world help or hinder your career?
Have you found workarounds to your traits, to the ‘bugs in the system’?
Let us know in the comments!
I got ENFJ – along with Pope John Paul II, Ronald Reagan, and Tony Blair – none of them people I’m an unconditional fan of!
I’m an Idealist Teacher, whatever that means…
so compelling, doing quizzes about oneself!
x
Hi Sarah – you’re the same as John I think. Sorry about the lack of decent type matches, but there are quite a few cooler fictional characters that are your type you know… Abbe Bartlett from West Wing, Noah Bennett from Heroes. You’re a big picture/people person 🙂
Thanks Heather! This was fun!
I’m: INTJ = Introverted – iNtuitive -Feeling – Judging
along with my friends: John Bradshaw, Mother Teresa, Nelson Mandela, John Calvin, Nicole Kidman
All best!
Lisa
Thanks Lisa! Ah, you’re one of the cool ladies 😉
We also get Carrie-Ann Moss and Sigourney Weaver. We’re in good company!
I’m an ENTJ
Hi Mark! So does the test accurately described your personality and attitudes to life as you perceive them? I have to say mine, and everyone I know (whom I’ve foisted this test on!) have been eerily on the money.
ENFP – textbook and perfectly me – all the way. Biggest challenges – deploying the left side of my brain and implementing SYSTEMS that keep things focused. Upsides – major “big picture” visioning stuff…we could work well together;) You know what’s another great brain test – and many like it better than Myers – is the HBDI – which tells you which quadrant of your brain is your preferred mode of thinking. It’s very cool.
http://www.dynamicthinking.com/images/Whole%20Brain%20Team.PDF
I’d say yest the test is pretty much on the money. I also think many don’t realize that if you are going to do the business mostly on your own, personality type does matter. Clearly entrepreneurial spirit and drive are required in this case.
Mark
Hi there
This is really interesting. I came out as an INFJ (Counsellor) so maybe I should offer lending an ear to stressed filmmakers as a sideline…
Took the Myers-Briggs test…
Thanks, Heather, from another potential librarian!
Really enjoy your site and your music.
Best regards from Australia.
Hi Heather,
I’m an INFJ. I’d known about Myers Briggs for a long time, but took a test again after your post on Scorecast…. it is really valuable to look at it again after all these years and be reminded of traits as I strive in my career (independant music-maker). It was also good to have my ‘INFJ under stress’ side spelled out to me to give me hints when I wasn’t coping well and how that was affecting others! Somehow it can be easier to be told these things by a piece of paper than the people around you…sometimes ;). INFJ’s have a tendancy toward perfectionism that can make life hard in a dynamic work environment…gotta go with the flow! Thanks for the inspiration and leadership, your thoughts really help me improve myself in my work…
Cheers, Cat
Hi. I’m an INTJ, according to the test, as well (though very weak on the J). I have been working toward being a composer and teacher of music theory since I was in the 7th grade or so.
Normally I type INTP or INFP which places me a little closer to the “ideal” of ISFP for a “composer”.
I am a musician and composer and I am ISFP thats good news, but can I just add there is a dark side to ISFP, I have an array of mental health problems – anxiety, depression, low self esteem, and an unstable ego.
Thanks for taking the time to comment, Tom. I think there are both negative and positive traits in any personality type, classified by Myers Briggs or otherwise. Unfortunately the problems you list seem to be part and parcel of artistic or creative life but I hope that you find some relief.
I’m a performer and composer, but I have a INTJ personality type…….confusing.