Have you ever felt like you're in the wrong job? Like you're struggling to keep up while your coworkers seem to breeze through their tasks with ease? If so, you're not alone. Many people find themselves in careers that don't align with their natural strengths and preferences. This mismatch can lead to frustration, stress, and a general sense of unfulfillment in your professional life.
"Do What You Are" by Paul D. Tieger offers a solution to this common problem. The book explores the concept of personality types and how understanding your own type can guide you towards a more satisfying and successful career path. By delving into the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI®) and its 16 personality types, Tieger provides a framework for self-discovery and career guidance.
This book summary will take you through the key ideas presented in "Do What You Are," helping you understand the importance of personality types in career satisfaction, how to determine your own type, and how to use this knowledge to find work that truly suits you. Whether you're just starting your career journey or considering a mid-life change, this summary will offer valuable insights to help you align your work with your natural inclinations and strengths.
The Enduring Concept of Personality Types
The idea that people have different personality types is not a new one. In fact, it dates back to ancient Greece and has been refined over centuries by various thinkers and researchers. One of the most influential contributions to this field came from psychoanalyst Carl Jung in 1921. Jung's work laid the foundation for our modern understanding of personality types.
Building on Jung's theories, Katherine Briggs and her daughter Isabel Briggs Myers developed the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI®) in the 1940s. This assessment tool, which identifies 16 distinct personality types, has become widely used in both personal development and career counseling.
The enduring nature of personality type theory suggests that there's something fundamentally true about the idea that people have different ways of interacting with the world, processing information, and making decisions. These differences can have a significant impact on how we perform and feel in various work environments.
The Impact of Personality on Job Satisfaction
Consider this scenario: Two people, Arthur and Julie, are working as placement counselors at a job recruitment firm. Their job requires making dozens of calls a day and facing frequent rejection. Arthur, who is talkative, high-energy, and thick-skinned, thrives in this environment. He enjoys jumping from one conversation to the next and doesn't take rejection personally. Julie, on the other hand, is slower-paced, dislikes conflict, and prefers to focus on details. She struggles with the fast-paced, rejection-heavy nature of the job and eventually quits.
This example illustrates how critical personality type can be for professional success and fulfillment. When your job aligns with your natural tendencies and preferences, work can be energizing and enjoyable. But when there's a mismatch, even simple tasks can feel like an uphill battle.
Think of it like trying to write with your non-dominant hand. You might eventually get the job done, but it will likely be uncomfortable, inefficient, and produce poor results. Similarly, working in a job that doesn't suit your personality type can lead to stress, burnout, and underperformance.
Understanding the Four Preference Scales
The MBTI® is based on four preference scales, each representing a spectrum between two choices. By understanding where you fall on each of these scales, you can determine your personality type.
1. Extraversion (E) vs. Introversion (I)
This scale relates to how you interact with the world and where you draw your energy from.
Extraverts tend to:
- Think by talking
- Be energized by social interaction
- Focus on the external world
- Ask "How do I affect this?"
Introverts tend to:
- Think internally before speaking
- Be energized by solitude
- Focus on their inner world
- Ask "How does this affect me?"
2. Sensing (S) vs. Intuition (N)
This scale is about how you take in and process new information.
Sensors tend to:
- Focus on concrete facts and details
- Trust personal experience
- Be concerned with "what is"
- Prefer step-by-step instructions
Intuitives tend to:
- Look for patterns and possibilities
- Trust hunches and insights
- Be concerned with "what could be"
- Prefer figuring things out intuitively
3. Thinking (T) vs. Feeling (F)
This scale relates to how you make decisions.
Thinkers tend to:
- Prioritize logic and objectivity
- Make decisions based on facts and principles
- Focus on fairness and consistency
Feelers tend to:
- Consider personal values and emotions
- Make decisions based on how they will affect people
- Focus on harmony and individual circumstances
4. Judging (J) vs. Perceiving (P)
This scale reflects how you prefer to structure your life.
Judgers tend to:
- Prefer order and structure
- Like to plan ahead and stick to schedules
- Seek closure and resolution
Perceivers tend to:
- Prefer flexibility and spontaneity
- Like to keep options open
- Adapt easily to changing circumstances
By combining your preferences on these four scales, you can determine your four-letter personality type (e.g., INFP, ESTJ). Each of the 16 possible combinations represents a unique personality type with its own strengths, challenges, and ideal work environments.
Discovering Your Personality Type
To find your personality type, reflect on your preferences for each of the four scales. Remember, it's not about what you think you should be or what others expect of you, but about your natural inclinations.
If you're unsure about your preference on a particular scale, consider this thought experiment: If you had to live the rest of your life one way or the other, which would you choose? This can often clarify your true preference.
It's important to note that no personality type is inherently better than another. Each type has its own strengths and potential areas for growth. The goal is not to change your type, but to understand and leverage your natural tendencies for greater satisfaction and success in your career and life.
The Four Temperaments
While there are 16 distinct personality types, they can be grouped into four broader categories called temperaments. These temperaments share certain characteristics and tendencies, particularly in how they approach work and life.
1. Traditionalists (SJ Types)
Traditionalists are the sensing-judging types: ISTJ, ISFJ, ESTJ, and ESFJ.
Motto: "Early to bed, early to rise"
Characteristics:
- Value order, stability, and conformity
- Reliable and consistent
- Follow through on tasks
- Prefer clear structures and procedures
Strengths:
- Excellent at maintaining systems and traditions
- Dependable and dutiful
- Practical and realistic
Challenges:
- May struggle with change or new ways of doing things
- Can be inflexible or overly focused on rules
Ideal work environments:
- Strong organizational structures
- Clear operating procedures and expectations
- Well-defined chain of command
Traditionalists often excel in roles that require attention to detail, adherence to established procedures, and a strong sense of duty. They're commonly found in fields like law enforcement, accounting, healthcare administration, and project management.
2. Experiencers (SP Types)
Experiencers are the sensing-perceiving types: ISTP, ISFP, ESTP, and ESFP.
Motto: "Eat, drink, and be merry"
Characteristics:
- Adventurous and outgoing
- Impulsive and action-oriented
- Adaptable and resourceful
- Live in the present moment
Strengths:
- Excellent crisis managers
- Skilled with tools and instruments
- Courageous and willing to take risks
- Good at improvising and thinking on their feet
Challenges:
- May act impulsively or irresponsibly
- Can struggle with long-term planning
- May have difficulty recognizing patterns or implications
Ideal work environments:
- Variety and unpredictability
- Opportunities for hands-on action
- Freedom to respond to situations as they arise
Experiencers thrive in roles that offer excitement, variety, and the opportunity to use their practical skills. They're often drawn to careers in emergency services, the military, sports, entertainment, and skilled trades.
3. Idealists (NF Types)
Idealists are the intuitive-feeling types: INFJ, INFP, ENFJ, and ENFP.
Motto: "To thine own self be true"
Characteristics:
- Focused on personal growth and authenticity
- Empathetic and people-oriented
- Imaginative and idealistic
- Driven by a sense of meaning and purpose
Strengths:
- Excellent at understanding and motivating others
- Creative problem-solvers
- Skilled communicators
- Committed to personal and societal improvement
Challenges:
- May be overly idealistic or impractical
- Can be sensitive to criticism
- May struggle with details or routine tasks
Ideal work environments:
- Opportunities for creativity and self-expression
- Focus on helping or developing others
- Collaborative and harmonious atmosphere
Idealists often find fulfillment in careers that allow them to make a positive impact on people's lives. They're commonly drawn to fields like counseling, teaching, human resources, non-profit work, and the arts.
4. Conceptualizers (NT Types)
Conceptualizers are the intuitive-thinking types: INTJ, INTP, ENTJ, and ENTP.
Motto: "Be excellent in all things"
Characteristics:
- Focused on possibilities and innovations
- Logical and analytical
- Strategic thinkers
- Driven by competence and knowledge
Strengths:
- Excellent at recognizing patterns and solving complex problems
- Innovative and visionary
- Objective and rational decision-makers
- Skilled at systems thinking
Challenges:
- May come across as arrogant or dismissive of others' ideas
- Can neglect practical details or emotional considerations
- May struggle with routine or repetitive tasks
Ideal work environments:
- Intellectual challenges
- Opportunities for innovation and strategic planning
- Autonomy and recognition for competence
Conceptualizers often excel in fields that require strategic thinking, problem-solving, and innovation. They're commonly found in roles like scientific research, technology development, strategic planning, and academia.
Understanding your temperament can provide valuable insights into your general approach to work and life. It can help you identify broad categories of careers that might be a good fit, and understand why certain types of work environments feel more natural or comfortable to you than others.
The Dominant Function: Your Natural Strength
Within each personality type, there's a hierarchy of cognitive functions. The strongest of these is called the Dominant Function, and it represents your most natural and comfortable way of interacting with the world. When you're using your Dominant Function at work, tasks feel easier and more enjoyable.
Here's a breakdown of the Dominant Functions:
Dominant Sensing (ISTJ, ISFJ, ESTP, ESFP)
- Prefer concrete facts and details
- Excellent memory for specifics
- Thrive in roles that involve collecting, analyzing, and applying factual information
- Potential careers: Research analyst, detective, financial advisor, chef
Dominant Intuition (INFJ, INTJ, ENFP, ENTP)
- Focus on implications and underlying meanings
- Strong imagination and creativity
- Excel in roles that require envisioning future possibilities or understanding complex systems
- Potential careers: Strategic planner, psychologist, writer, entrepreneur
Dominant Feeling (ISFP, INFP, ESFJ, ENFJ)
- Prioritize personal values and human considerations
- Strong empathy and interpersonal skills
- Thrive in roles that involve helping others or expressing personal creativity
- Potential careers: Counselor, teacher, social worker, artist
Dominant Thinking (ISTP, INTP, ESTJ, ENTJ)
- Excel at logical analysis and objective decision-making
- Good at solving complex problems
- Thrive in roles that require critical thinking and strategic planning
- Potential careers: Engineer, lawyer, business analyst, scientist
Understanding your Dominant Function can help you identify the types of tasks and roles where you're likely to excel naturally. It can guide you towards careers that leverage your innate strengths, leading to greater job satisfaction and performance.
Career Development Throughout Life
It's important to recognize that our interests and skills can change over time. A well-rounded career path should anticipate and accommodate these changes. Here's how personality development typically unfolds:
- Ages 0-6: Basic personality type begins to develop
- Ages 6-12: Dominant Function becomes more apparent
- Ages 12-25: Auxiliary Function (second strongest) develops
- Ages 25-50: Third function emerges and develops
- After 50: Fourth function often develops
This development can explain why many people experience a desire for career change in their 30s or 40s. As your third function develops, you might feel drawn to use skills or pursue interests that weren't as important to you earlier in life.
For example, an ISTJ (dominant Sensing, auxiliary Thinking) might spend the first part of their career in a detail-oriented, analytical role. But as they reach their 40s and their tertiary Feeling function develops, they might feel a pull towards more people-oriented work.
Understanding this natural progression can help you plan for potential career shifts and continue finding fulfillment throughout your working life.
Finding Your Ideal Career
Now that you understand your personality type, temperament, and Dominant Function, how do you use this information to find your ideal career? Here's a step-by-step approach:
Know your specific four-letter type and its associated strengths and weaknesses.
Consider what's most important to you in a job. For example, if you're an ENFP, you might prioritize variety, creativity, and opportunities to work with people.
Look at the career suggestions for your type and identify those that align with your interests.
Rank your top choices and ask yourself: If money wasn't an issue, which of these would I do for free?
For each potential career, list how your skills and strengths would be utilized.
Research these careers. Try to talk to people who are currently in these roles to get a realistic picture of what the job entails.
Consider how these careers might align with your values and long-term goals.
Remember, the goal isn't to find a perfect job that only people of your type can do. Rather, it's to find work that naturally aligns with your preferences and strengths, making it more likely that you'll find satisfaction and success.
Changing Careers at Any Age
It's never too late to shift to a more fulfilling career. With increasing life expectancy and changing economic conditions, many people are working well into what was traditionally considered retirement age. This has led to the concept of an "encore career" – a second (or third) career started later in life.
Whether you're a recent graduate or considering a mid-life career change, understanding your personality type can guide you towards more satisfying work. Here's an example:
Jay, an ISTJ (Traditionalist), had worked in various business roles, including as president of his family's manufacturing company. However, he wasn't happy. In his mid-40s, he decided to become a high school history teacher.
This career change aligned well with Jay's personality type:
- As a dominant Sensor, he enjoys working with concrete facts and details (perfect for teaching history).
- As a Traditionalist, he values structure and wants to see clear results from his efforts (which teaching provides daily).
- His auxiliary Thinking function is well-suited to organizing and presenting information logically.
Jay found that teaching brought him a level of satisfaction he hadn't experienced in his previous roles, even though the change came with challenges.
This example illustrates how understanding your personality type can help you make informed decisions about career changes at any stage of life. It's about finding work that allows you to use your natural strengths and aligns with your values and interests.
Practical Tips for Career Success
Regardless of your personality type, here are some general tips for career success:
Continuous learning: Stay open to learning new skills and gaining knowledge throughout your career. This can make you more adaptable and valuable in the job market.
Network: Build and maintain professional relationships. Different personality types might approach networking differently, but it's valuable for everyone.
Self-reflection: Regularly assess your job satisfaction and career goals. Are you using your strengths? Are you finding fulfillment?
Seek balance: While it's great to use your strengths, also look for opportunities to develop your weaker areas in a supportive environment.
Communicate your needs: If you're struggling in your current role, talk to your supervisor about adjustments that could help you perform better.
Consider job crafting: Look for ways to shape your current job to better fit your strengths and interests, even if you can't change careers immediately.
Be patient: Finding the right career fit can take time. Don't be discouraged if your first (or second, or third) job isn't perfect.
Conclusion
Understanding your personality type isn't about putting yourself in a box or limiting your options. Instead, it's a tool for self-awareness that can guide you towards more satisfying and successful career choices.
By recognizing your natural preferences for interacting with the world, processing information, making decisions, and structuring your life, you can:
- Identify careers that are likely to feel natural and rewarding to you
- Understand why certain work environments or tasks feel more challenging
- Communicate your strengths and work style to employers or colleagues
- Make informed decisions about career changes or development
Remember, there's no "best" personality type for success. Each type has its own strengths and potential challenges. The key is to find work that allows you to leverage your natural strengths while providing opportunities for growth and development.
Whether you're just starting your career journey, considering a mid-life change, or planning an encore career, the insights from "Do What You Are" can help you align your work with your authentic self. By doing so, you're more likely to find not just a job, but a fulfilling career that allows you to thrive.
As you move forward in your career journey, keep in mind that personality type is just one factor to consider. Your values, interests, skills, and life circumstances also play crucial roles in career satisfaction. Use the insights from personality type theory as a starting point, but don't be afraid to explore and experiment.
Ultimately, the goal is to find work that not only suits your personality but also brings you a sense of purpose and fulfillment. When you do what you are – when your work aligns with your natural tendencies and allows you to be your authentic self – you're more likely to find success, satisfaction, and meaning in your professional life.