Posted 25 September 2017 by
Melissa, MBTI Marketing Manager
One way to increase your happiness (or “well-being” as scientists like to call it) is to increase your self-awareness. By becoming more self-aware, you can tailor strategies to be happier specifically to you. Because let’s be honest, you are not the same as everyone else so different things will make you happy than other people.
First, if you haven’t heard of the PERMA model, take a look at this blog for an explanation.
We’ve recently done some research on Myers-Briggs Type and workplace happiness that you can definitely benefit from. Take a look at the information below and ask yourself, “does this ring true for me?”
Our survey was sent out to 3,000 people with verified Myers-Briggs type and we asked them about what makes them happy at work as far as the PERMA model, age, job, where they live, and activities that they do to increase happiness.
While we uncovered a lot of data, we’re going to focus on Myers-Briggs type and the PERMA model.
Differences in Happiness by Myers-Briggs Personality Type
- People with a preference for Introversion show lower levels of workplace well-being than those with a preference for Extraversion:
- Those with preferences for ISTP (Introversion, Sensing, Thinking, Perceiving) show the lowest levels of overall well-being
- People with a preference for ENFP (Extraversion, Intuition, Feeling, Perceiving) show the overall highest well-being
- ENFP respondents had especially high Engagement and Relationship PERMA scores
So who rated each of the PERMA factors as being most important to their happiness?
Positive Emotions:
Those with ESFP, ENTJ and ESTJ personality types rated positive emotions as highly contributing to their well-being.
INFP, ISTP and INTJ types rated this as contributing the least to their happiness compared to the other MBTI personality types.
Engagement:
Those with ENFP, ESTJ and ENTJ personality types rated engagement as highly contributing to their well-being.
INFJ, INTJ and ISTP types rated this as contributing the least to their happiness compared to the other MBTI personality types.
Relationships:
People with ENFP, ESFJ and ESFP personality types rated relationships as highly contributing to their well-being.
Those with INTJ, INTP and ISTP types rated this as contributing the least to their happiness compared to the other MBTI personality types.
Meaning:
People with ESTJ, ENFP and ENFJ personality types rated meaning as highly contributing to their well-being.
People with INTJ, ISFP and ISTP personality types rated this as contributing the least to their happiness compared to the other MBTI personality types.
Accomplishment:
Those with ESTJ, ENTJ and ENFJ personality types rated accomplishment as highly contributing to their well-being.
INTP, ISTP and ISFP MBTI types rated this as contributing the least to their happiness compared to the other MBTI personality types.
Try This to Improve Your Happiness
Your turn.
- On a scale of 1-10, rank each of the PERMA factors in how highly they contribute to your happiness.
- Of the PERMA factors, what are the two that rank highest for you?
- What are the two that rate lowest?
- Check how your Myers-Briggs type compares to our sample above.
As we’ve mentioned before, MBTI measures just a few parts of your personality, and no two people with the same MBTI type will be exactly the same because of environment, upbringing, brain chemistry, and other personality factors the MBTI tool doesn’t measure.
5. Now look at how you spend your time at work and your free time (use last week and last weekend as an example).
6. What are two changes you could make in how you spend your time that could better contribute to your two highest PERMA factors? If Meaning ranks highly for you, but you spent most of your weekend taking time for your relationships, maybe it’s time to do something like volunteering for a non-profit or doing something that specifically hits on what brings you meaning.
7. For the next three days, keep your top two PERMA factors in mind and try to dedicate more time to these.
The self-awareness of knowing your Myers-Briggs type as well as what makes you as an individual happiest can go a long way to making your life the best it can be.
FAQs
One of the most positive Myers-Briggs types is the ENFJ, or those who are extroverted, intuitive, feeling, and judging. "Known for their optimism and upbeat personality, ENFJs are known for being fun to be around and for being idealist organizers who want to create a better way," Owens says.
How can you benefit from taking the Myers Briggs? ›
While there are no “better” or “worse” personality preferences, the MBTI assessment can help people understand their strengths and blind spots and how they might differ from others. Organizational experts have drawn on these insights for many years to help individuals and teams be more effective at work.
What is the most successful Myers Briggs personality type? ›
ENTJs, often seen as the most successful Myers Briggs type, are the big bosses of all the MBTI types. They are extraverted, which makes them charismatic, outgoing and inspirational leaders.
What is the nicest Myers Briggs personality type? ›
- The INFP is the best idealist. The ENFP is the best inspirer. The INTP is the best thinker. ...
- The INFJ is the best protector. The ENFJ is the best giver. The INTJ is the best scientist. ...
- The ISFP is the best artist. The ESFP is the best performer. The ISTP is the best mechanic. ...
- The ISFJ is the best nurturer. The ESFJ is the be.
My experience has been that INFJs and INFPs seem to have the most difficult time coping with this thing we call life. That's based on my professional experience, 20 years, as a therapist. The reason, I believe, is that they are the most emotionally sensitive of types.
What personality type is never satisfied? ›
Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder: Compulsive personalities are conscientious and have high levels of aspiration, but they also strive for perfection. Never satisfied with their achievements, people with compulsive personality disorder take on more and more responsibilities.
What do psychologists think of MBTI? ›
The results combined into one of 16 possible type descriptions, such as ENTJ or ISFP. While the MBTI is used by many organizations to select new personnel and has been taken millions of times, personality psychologists and other scientists report that it has relatively little scientific validity.
What are the disadvantages of the Myers-Briggs? ›
2 Disadvantages of MBTI
The MBTI also does not account for other factors that influence your behavior, such as your values, skills, experience, or culture. The MBTI can also be used to stereotype or label people, rather than to appreciate their uniqueness and complexity.
Which personality type is the rarest? ›
INFJ is the rarest personality type in the US among the general population (1.5%) and men (1%). For women, INTJ is the rarest (less than 1%). From most to least common, the personality types are: ISFJ, ESFJ, ISTJ, ISFP, ESTJ, ESFP, ENFP, ISTP, INFP, ESTP, INTP, ENTP, ENFJ, INTJ, ENTJ, INFJ.
What is Elon Musk personality type? ›
Furthermore, Musk's personality type also influences his leadership style. As an INTJ, he is known for his directness, strategic thinking, and high standards. These qualities have not only attracted top talent to his companies but have also allowed him to drive his teams towards achieving extraordinary goals.
After conducting research and analyzing his behavior and thought processes, it is safe to say that Bill Gates is an INTJ (Introverted, Intuitive, Thinking, Judging).
Which MBTI is the least social? ›
Generally speaking, INTPs are laid-back and look approachable, while INTJs look rather intimidating. In fact, INTJs are famous for their “death stares”. Among extroverts, ENTPs are the least sociable.
Which type of personality is best for a girl? ›
Women with these 10 personality traits make the best girlfriends:
- Ambitious. ...
- Committed. ...
- Forgiving. ...
- Intelligent. ...
- Fun-loving. ...
- Unselfish. ...
- Ebullient. ...
- Loving. Your woman loves the people around her and she shows it, not just in words, but also in her actions.
There's no research that supports that any Meyers-Briggs personality type is more prone to depression than another.
What Myers Briggs type is the least happy? ›
Which Types Ranked as the Least Happy? Sadly, INFPs ranked the lowest for happiness as well as the lowest for life-satisfaction. According to the third edition of the MBTI® Manual, these types also ranked second highest in dissatisfaction with their marriages and intimate relationships.
Which Myers Briggs has the highest emotional intelligence? ›
The finding of the study showed that introvert, intuition, feeling and judging (INFJ) personality type were more emotionally intelligent than the extrovert, sensing, thinking and perceiving (ESTP) personality type.
