One of the things I'm known for on my team at work is keeping track of everyone's Myers-Briggs personality types (formally known as the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator or MBTI). I started doing it a couple years back and it's become a running joke - my teammates sometimes pretend like I'm a weirdo for doing it, but the frequency with which they bring it up tells me they secretly enjoy thinking/talking about it. When someone new joins the team, they warn the new person "Rachel is going to ask you what your personality type is, she has a chart," not realizing the irony of the situation....I never have to ask anymore because the others do it before I even have a chance, and then they tell me the answer. All I have to do is open the chart, update it, and hit save.
Anyway, I occasionally share updates about the chart or funny/interesting personality articles I find online. Recently I shared an article that went one step beyond the traditional MBTI construct and sorted the 16 personality types into four groups. The groupings elicited some very STRONG feelings from members of my team. I didn't expect that reaction at all but am always glad when people talk about personality stuff because then I have an excuse to talk about it too. The conversation sparked by the chart even expanded to include one of our sister teams, and my cubicle neighbors printed out a copy of the chart to keep on their table. At least once a week I overhear a visitor in their cube reacting to the chart. As time goes on and more folks visit from other sites, the conversation has only gotten livelier.
You're probably wondering what I shared that inspired so much contention. The catalyst for all this drama......wait for it......was an article that sorted the MBTI types into the four Hogwarts houses from the Harry Potter universe (Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin). That's it! This Harry Potter article has caused more controversy and debate than maybe anything else I've ever shared at work. For the record, I'm a Ravenclaw (at least according to this article).
Here are some more pop culture MBTI charts if you're interested. You should also check out the recent podcast episode about personality tests from the Stuff You Should Know guys.
Anyway, I occasionally share updates about the chart or funny/interesting personality articles I find online. Recently I shared an article that went one step beyond the traditional MBTI construct and sorted the 16 personality types into four groups. The groupings elicited some very STRONG feelings from members of my team. I didn't expect that reaction at all but am always glad when people talk about personality stuff because then I have an excuse to talk about it too. The conversation sparked by the chart even expanded to include one of our sister teams, and my cubicle neighbors printed out a copy of the chart to keep on their table. At least once a week I overhear a visitor in their cube reacting to the chart. As time goes on and more folks visit from other sites, the conversation has only gotten livelier.
You're probably wondering what I shared that inspired so much contention. The catalyst for all this drama......wait for it......was an article that sorted the MBTI types into the four Hogwarts houses from the Harry Potter universe (Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin). That's it! This Harry Potter article has caused more controversy and debate than maybe anything else I've ever shared at work. For the record, I'm a Ravenclaw (at least according to this article).
Here are some more pop culture MBTI charts if you're interested. You should also check out the recent podcast episode about personality tests from the Stuff You Should Know guys.
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