Thursday, May 3, 2012

I always did like that game

The other day I took yet another one of those tests that tell you what type of personality you are. You know the ones - that divide everyone up into four categories, and then under that are four sub-categories, thereby making 16 total sub-types (are there any personality tests used by corporations that don't end up categorizing people this way?) In this test, the Keirsey Temperament Sorter, I came out as a mastermind (their term, not mine!) This maps to the Myers-Briggs INTJ (introversion, intuition, thinking, judgment). According to Wiki::

Masterminds are introspective, pragmatic, directive, and attentive. As strategists, they are better than any other type at brainstorming approaches to situations. Masterminds are capable but not eager leaders, stepping forward only when it becomes obvious to them that they are the best for the job. Strong-willed and very self-assured, they may make this decision quickly, as they tend to make all decisions. But though they are decisive, they are open to new evidence and new ideas, flexible in their planning to accommodate changing situations. They tend to excel at judging the usefulness of ideas and will apply whatever seems most efficient to them in accomplishing their clearly envisioned goals. To Masterminds, what matters is getting it done—but also learning the principles of how to get it done efficiently and well, that is, at a professional level of quality.
...
Masterminds are also highly theoretical, and the most open-minded of the 16 role variants. Before Masterminds adopt a theoretical notion, they insist on researching all the available data and checking the idea against reality. Masterminds are suspicious of theories based on poor research and will discard ideas that cannot be effectively implemented.
Also from Wiki, re. INTJ:
INTJs apply (often ruthlessly) the criterion "Does it work?" to everything from their own research efforts to the prevailing social norms. This in turn produces an unusual independence of mind, freeing the INTJ from the constraints of authority, convention, or sentiment for its own sake ... INTJs are known as the "Systems Builders" of the types, perhaps in part because they possess the unusual trait combination of imagination and reliability. Whatever system an INTJ happens to be working on is for them the equivalent of a moral cause to an INFJ; both perfectionism and disregard for authority may come into play ... Personal relationships, particularly romantic ones, can be the INTJ's Achilles heel ... This happens in part because many INTJs do not readily grasp the social rituals ... Perhaps the most fundamental problem, however, is that INTJs really want people to make sense.—Marina Margaret Heiss 
INTJs are analytical. Like INTPs, they are most comfortable working alone and tend to be less sociable than other types. Nevertheless, INTJs are prepared to lead if no one else seems up to the task, or if they see a major weakness in the current leadership. They tend to be pragmatic, logical, and creative. They have a low tolerance for spin or rampant emotionalism. They are not generally susceptible to catchphrases and do not readily accept authority based on tradition, rank, or title. 
INTJs are strong individualists who seek new angles or novel ways of looking at things. They enjoy coming to new understandings. They tend to be insightful and mentally quick; however, this mental quickness may not always be outwardly apparent to others since they keep a great deal to themselves. They are very determined people who trust their vision of the possibilities, regardless of what others think. They may even be considered the most independent of all of the sixteen personality types. INTJs are at their best in quietly and firmly developing their ideas, theories, and principles.—Sandra Krebs Hirsch
I am suspicious of all of these sorts of testing "instruments," but I also think that when taken as a pointer toward things to consider about ourselves, especially when we interact with others, they can be instructive. I certainly do feel there is a lot in the above (and in the rest of both articles) that applies to me. I was told by a fellow programmer that most software developers are INTJs.

So, for those who know me, what do you think? Does the above fit?

[And per the title, when I think of "mastermind," I always think of the game.]

4 comments:

Meghann said...

Yeah, I could totally see you as an evil mastermind. Oh, wait. . .

Jim said...

Where are my minions?!?!? Minions! Where are you lurking? Slither here quickly, evil deeds are afoot!

Lynn said...

Jim,

A lot of the above does ring true in my knowledge of you, particularly: "an unusual independence of mind, freeing the INTJ from the constraints of authority, convention, or sentiment for its own sake."

Also the comments about systems of course.

L

Jim said...

Lynn,

Yeah, that part really resonated. Of course, that's also the characteristic that has gotten me in the most trouble over the years. :)